Clean and clear, with no shade of grey the vast sky up above reflected the shades of the blue sea. The fluffy white clouds hovered freely across the sky. In between them, the sun majestically seated himself clad in his bright orange garb. This season, he seemed more ferocious. The heat he exuded zoomed down and hit the earth hard. Like a frying pan, the hot waves emanated out of the boundless land. The sharp rays glistened the granuels like glitters..the unbinding heat warmed the deepest of the waters.Nothing moved..all still…the trees stood erect and the leaves hushed in silence. This summer was in full swing in the city.
People down here began to accept the scorching sun – with or without a smile. The powercuts were torturing. Somehow they seemed to take control of the house hold’s daily routine and reschedule their daily affairs. The black tar roads burnt until they could go no darker. School bells rang at 12.30 p.m. and children were rushed home. All who could afford a fan were lucky and those with an aircooler were lcukier, but those who had an AC were blessed!
Afternoon shopping was striclty avoided..Early morning walks were pre poned..and evening walks were post poned. The Ads on cosemtics shot up like zooom…talcum powder, cooling oil, sunscreen lotions et.al. People cautiosly followed all the precautions lest have sun strokes and burns.
The unluckiest of all were the pedestrains. Drops of sweat dripping, eyes burning, mouths getting dried, smacking their lips they kept their pace fast. The sun up above, followed them eagerly. Poor chaps, had to walk and so walked.
This way right from the vegetable vendors, the school children, the farmers, their wives, the employees, the house wives, the servant maids, the pedestrains – all whom the heat hit, earnestly prayed in silence – for the Summer to end.
The nature, seemed unmoved. The heat began to grow and continued to show its atrocity. Upon this it mocked sometimes, a morning would dawn with a cool breeze, when all awoke to it in eagerness, it used to suddenly vanish.The sky sometimes went grey, with a hope when looked up for the rain...all soon used to disappear in the vast sky. The Summer teased us this way. With no place to go…and for the love of the city ..all remained in silence, sustaining the damned weather.
I was one of those who sustained the weather in silence. There were times when i felt helpless in the heat. The hot waves, that thrust my head, gave me an unbearable headache. No amount of water quenched my thirst. The worst part was when I had to stand in the bustop under the shadow of a tree waiting for my company bus. The hot winds hit my face hard, and burnt my eyes. All I could do was to continue twitching my nose, wetting my lips incessantly and calling my friends to know how long the bus would take to arrive at my stop.
It was already June, and we heard the other cities rejoicing the rains. Our neighbouring city, began to be showered with rainfall long before the end of May. People there were lucky, We thought. But when was our turn? Except for the irregular teasers, ours saw nothing. The whole city was like a blast furnance, heated up.
But we will have our day soon….I had always thought.
No sooner than I thought, one weekend..while we all were taking a light nap…the weather suddenly changed. The clouds hid the bright sun…and the sky became grey. The west winds, flew swiflty into the city. With itz buzzing and hissing sounds it entered every nook and corners of the houses. It swirled into the branches of the trees, sweeped the pebbles and the sands! The dry leaves lying on the roads flew haphazardly in the air. The sound of the wind grew louder and louder. By now, the whole city was wide awake and alert. Few hastily went up on the terrace to enjoy the cool wild breeze..By now the dark grey clouds appeared. They majestically hovered all over the sky, as though they were getting ready to play their show. Within moments, of the wind humbling down…the heavy down pour began. The numerous droplets that heavily fell on the ground made the rhythmic sound. In a rush they fell consistently, wetting th earth. The rain along with the wind, made the whoosing sounds – the trees vigourously swayed, and windows began to beat hard against the sills making the loud noises.
I eagerly ran up to my terrace. I could see the whole city drenching in rain. The buildings, trees , drainages, the stray dogs, the braying donkeys, the pedestrains. The roads, were blocked with the assembly of cars. The terrace floor was filled with water withing minutes. My dress, hair drenched in the rain. I jumped and sang in joy. The child within me awoke..and danced to the tunes of the rain. I really didn’t mind if I would catch cold and a run fever. I knew when I go down, I shall welcome my mom’s frowned and concerned face. I just wanted to live the moment and enjoy.
Down their on the roads, people didn’t mind getting drenched too. Despite the traffic jams…overflowing drains…all seemed to enjoy and silently say –Thank GOD it rained! :)
