 |
| (image courtesy: Google) |
There’s something so romantic about the rains!
The first drops of rain on the parched earth…just like a
long lost lover gently kissing the woman of his dreams who has long been
waiting for him. And when he comes she breaks into raptures. The buds blossom
and the peacocks dance, telling him how much she’s waited for that moment of
bliss. An all encompassing aroma lifts them to another world, and together,
they sway….. to the song of love.
As I look out of my window and see the first dark cloud, it
fills me with delight. The scorching summers have drained me of life. The sight
of the rain cloud makes me run out into the open. I do not want to miss that
first drop of rain, do I? I eagerly look up at the sky and wait with bated
breaths. The moment of waiting is finally over when a tiny drop lands on my
nose. Ah! He’s here, I tell myself, and wait with my arms spread wide and a
smile wider than that! And then the magic happens! He pours down with all his
might and I soak in his love. I breathe in the aroma that keeps filling into
every cell of my body till it reaches my soul and tears flow down my cheeks. That
is the kind of spell that the rains cast over me, holding me in its captive and
I stay on like a happy prisoner…
I wonder if it is sheer coincidence that I was born during
the monsoon, August, to be precise. Is that why monsoon is so dear to me? Could
be! And the rain god makes sure to pour down with his blessings on each one of
my birthdays, making it just that little
extra special!
I had just finished my exams in May and no prizes for
guessing when I landed my first job! In fact, I remember coming back home
drenched after my first interview! It felt like the rain was congratulating me
on my achievement! The rains have always been a harbinger of good tidings for
me.
It was during one such lovely monsoon that I first met the
man of my dreams. We got married four monsoons later! Need I mention when we got
married? During the monsoon, of course, in September! Nothing could be more
romantic! Our best moments have been those of going on long rides in the rain,
Kishore da crooning in the background, and stopping at “tapris” or roadside tea stalls for that hot bite of the samosa and a hotter cup of ginger tea.
My best childhood memories are those of getting wet in the
first rain of the season. Entire families would descend on the terrace of our
apartment and the old and young alike would enjoy splashing with glee! It was
considered healthy to get drenched in the first rain. One would supposedly be
free of all ailments if the first drops of rain fell on you! Myth or not, we
enjoyed every moment of it.
The beginning of the rains marked the re-opening of schools
and meeting old friends. The excitement of wearing brand new starched uniforms
and sparkling clean shoes is unparalleled. The rush of adrenalin as we entered
our new classrooms and grouped together with friends is unforgettable. And it
is these good old school days that I reminisce about even today when I think
about the most carefree days of my life!
The rains also marked the beginning of the festival season. It
starts with Ganesha Chaturti, when we
would rally around for donations, help with installing the idol of Ganapati
bappa, conduct the 10 day festivities and madly dance in the “Sandall” (for the
uninitiated, that was our community dance without a fixed form or manner, you
just needed to go all out and dance!). How can I forget Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janamashtami, Navratri
and Deepawali that follow soon after? There would always be a little drizzle on
the Lakshmi pujan day of Deepawali. And it would feel like the monsoon was bidding
us goodbye. Farewell until next year!
Sandwiched between two extreme seasons, the rains always
provided a respite from the sweltering summers where the temperatures rose to a
jaw dropping 48 degree Celsius and the winters where we almost froze at 5
degree Celsius! The temperatures were always right during the monsoon, neither
too high nor too low.
My love with plants and gardening in general, borders on the
crazy. If you are attentive enough you might even catch me talking to my little
darlings! I find that these grow best during the rains. During monsoon my home
garden is filled with pretty blossoms in every possible hue. And in turn it
fills my heart with indescribable happiness.
What better way to enjoy the rains than with mouth watering
hot foods to tickle your palate? You can almost always smell that aroma of
piping hot tikkis being made here and there, bubbling hot coffee elsewhere or tangy
chats somewhere! And to sit by the window looking at the rains washing
everything clean even as people walk by in colourful umbrellas and raincoats,
while sinking your teeth into these delicacies is bliss!
I relate a lot to the rains because they are so much like
me. A little moody, temperamental sometimes, romantic at times, lazy at other
times, but never fail to bring a smile every single time!
That’s what the monsoon means to me!!
