The last few days, it has been raining cats and dogs. Monsoon in India is something to celebrate .As a child I used to look forward for the arrival of rains eagerly as it was also the beginning of new academic year. Dressed in uniforms and boots, flashing the rainbow colored umbrella; splashing and splattering in the puddles on all the way to school was a great fun. Those childhood memories took me to world of fun and mirth. Now at the age forty, I still wait for the arrival of monsoon; the rain, sweet smell of wet soil and the dappling sound of raindrops.

Suddenly, I thought about the meeting to attend, and in a hurry, dressed myself in a
Sari and came out to the street looking for a taxi. Morning pleasantness surprised me, it smelled sweet, may be the jasmine flowers along the big compound wall of my house. The street was picking up the usual busy .I needed to hurry for the meeting; in fact, my friend did not give me any details regarding the nature of the business meeting that is fixed at his village farm house. I felt little confused about it, because, he never said anything about his village. I called out for a taxi, when one slowed down by my side, I showed the driver the address. He smiled and asked me “are you sure you want to go to this place?” I nodded in affirmation .He opened the door for me and said “four hours drive madam, and two thousand bucks.” I smiled at him in positive.

There was a total calm and composure in the atmosphere .It was a sunny day .I was very enthusiastic about this trip. I looked out at the farfetched Blue Mountains, shined in silver; it was marvelous to see the morning beauty of the Mountain View .I wished if I could touch the sky, climbing on that blue mountain. While enjoying the travel I did not even know how fast we reached the place. The taxi stopped by the side of the road and the driver told me that was the deviation where I have to travel by walking. He helped me to climb down through a small sloppy way which directs to a three feet wide way. I was aghast. I paid for the taxi and started ahead .I turned and looked for the taxi driver almost expecting if he had helped me reach the destination, had already abandoned me there and was on the U turn. He smiled at me sheepishly. The way ahead of me looked desolate and bare. There was no hope but walking; I thought of trying my luck. Slowly the sun was fading, and I could feel the wind heavy and moist .I hoped for the best.

It looked as though the clouds were about to pour out. The trees were quite quiet and moody as though they were reluctant to shake their head in denial. Of course they were supposed to sway and welcome the rain, but seemed really unhappy to do so. Poor me, I forgot my umbrella, my one and only extra wear and tear apparel. Here one thing I had to admit that there are people, who really love their ,umbrella because one at any cost don’t want to get drenched when they are going for a meeting, that too an official one. I cursed the climate and the winds which bring the untimely rains. Walking slowly through the beaten muddy patchy path I felt little relived because, there was no one to query me where was I going. .“Good heavens” “this is the first time I’m remembering the name of a man who always said hello in my morning walks” I said loudly!

The road ahead looked very clear and less difficult to walk, so I decided to fasten my steps. There were lovely little streaming rivulets on the way. The blue tiny daisies swayed and bid goodbye to me as I passed each steps. Here the breeze also was little sweet and refreshing .I thought about my promise, I have promised my friend to be in time for the meeting.
It was half past eleven, and there was no sign of sunshine at all. I was surprised that there were no cowboys, struggling to spread their cattle on both the sides of that village road. There were no farmers either busy with their work. I felt really ironical of my friend’s decision to keep this important meeting in his village ancestral house. While thoughts haunted me there came the much expected rain spoiling all my fun on the beaten snaky path. Confusion gulfed me ,while deciding how to manage my five yard sari, the one and only type of dress I am used to wear, which completely drenched, and was plastered like some patchwork. My friend, the business partner must have expected me well dressed and dignified, as he was to launch his new business .He had invited all VIP beneficiaries from Europe and other parts of Asia.

I had developed a kind of fascination for the muddy village roads and hilly tops and the sloppy valleys, after reading “Jane Austin’s” “Jane Eyre.” In the novel Jane meets her hero Rochester for the first time by a sloppy slippery village way! But” good heavens”, this was really like a stunt performed in some reality shows, something like” Fear Factor”

I carefully walked each step to avoid a fall. It seemed like I’ll never make it to the destination. Rain water on my way splashed and created a wave like feeling. Rains have no rules when it comes to earth where it pours, fall and flow in any shape. I looked miserable and helpless to walk. Since it was impossible to continue, poor me thought of just sitting down on a perched rock little aside of the road. I was exactly like a wet cat clinging to a piece of wood in a lake. As rain continuously increased the road turned out as a river which lost its way and shape, and of course there was an increase in the level of water down the plain around the small hillock. I experienced for the first time in my life, the fury of nature, that too as thunderous showers. The water was like ice, each drop fell on me weighed kilos. I realized that I’m unable to withstand the wetness and cold, and slowly closed my eyes in prayer. I could hear the sound of water flowing, gradually I was swept away by the strong pile of water.

I experienced a nipping pain on legs, and my eyes were half open, my hands were held in a warm hand, there was no rain, no drenchness, I could see a well lit spacious room. The aromatic incense sticks alerted me; I tried to get up, but was held back by a strong hand. I saw the face, It was my friend, he was very concerned and apologetic. I was relieved and thankful to God for being alive. A kind of sweetness I experienced, of being alive. I closed my eyes again as I was assured of my safety.

I woke up by the twittering of a bird, early in the morning. It was a pleasant morning; the fury of the rain was visible though. I got out of my room and searched for my friend, he was fast asleep, may be tired of nursing me in the night. I observed, the courtyard of the house was very beautiful with trees and flowers, a perfect village but an elegant house. I heard the sound of footsteps; it was my friend who was with two steaming cups in his hands. While having coffee he explained to me about how he came in search of me and found me down the field ,carried me home .I thanked him for my life, little knowing that there were no business meeting organized at all. It was just his way of wooing me into his life which was spoiled by the rain. I had a hearty laugh. I was as happy as the morning lark and ready for new surprises. Because life is all about being ALIVE ANDLIVING each moment like rain that is a harbinger of Godly and the diabolic.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 08.10.2009

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