Quietly as I walk
A gush of emotions rushes into me
For the people who are gone
And moments that are history
A million words to share
And a million pictures to show
But I don’t feel like talking
So I am letting them flow
And I am walking with the river
Barefoot on her shore.
Sky renders to purple
As the sun takes back the orange
Sheepish moon appears
And the stars rearrange
I stand amidst this beauty
Missing my usual company
When the river touches my feet gently
And shares her epiphany
She tells me to move on
And frame a new memory
As life still goes on
Whatever happens, is meant to be
So I am locking the past
Safely in my heart to store
And I am walking with the river
Barefoot on her shore
Rains are rare in Delhi. But back in my school days, the global environment wasn’t this screwed up, so Delhi enjoyed the benison of rains from July to September. Those were such delightful days. Rain was not only a breather for the green regime of the city, which had suffered the scorching summers for last four months, but also for us students as we didn’t have to forge a sick note to bunk the morning assembly anymore. The heavier it rained, the greater were the chances of getting more substitution periods at school. Second best time after Karva-Chauth, which is another time in Delhi when maximum teachers used to be on leave.
Even if the teachers turned up, I could never keep my eyes on the book or the blackboard during the class. I used keep looking outside the window, finding some dark colored building to see the rain drops in contrast. The wet trees, the smell of wet soil, the chilling winds… it felt like heaven. And if it had stopped raining, I would still keep my gaze outside. Rain drops dripping from the leaves, a little birdie flinching as that drop fell on its neck, wet puppies playing on the street, wagging their tiny tails as frantically as possible. Fascinating. And if it were still raining when the last period was 10 minutes from getting over, I would pray hard for the rain to go on for some more time so that I can play in it on my way back home. It was so much fun. I and my friends would just rush out of our class, fling our bags into the bus and come out in the playground to play till the buses start departing. Then again when I got down on my stop and mom brought an umbrella when she came to pick me up, I would cringe away from it. I hated any kind of barrier that would come between me and the rain. As kids, no one cared about their uniform getting wet, the shoes getting spoiled. In fact, it so happened once that I couldn’t find a paper to make a boat, so I took off my shoe to sail it in the small ponds that appeared after rain. I could never understand what joy I got out of it, but it was really fun back then. I can’t forget those images even today. They are like indelible snapshots stored in mind.
All of us have become so boring after growing up. And most of this is attributed to the so-called professional attitude we are asked to exhibit, proper shoes, proper clothes and all. As soon as it rains, people run to take a shade somewhere. And if they can’t find a shade, they won’t enjoy the drops of respite falling on them. Instead they would crib as its going to spoil their footwear. There are no exceptions here. I love to get drenched in the rain, but when I was here in office campus, all could think was, ‘how to save my shoes?’ Next time, I am going to ditch my shoes and go out. People say it’s childish to behave like this, and that we are grown up and that too professionals. So we are expected to behave maturely. But I have a question. Are we working to live or living to work? If we a working to live, then I don’t think we need to don the ‘professional’ cap all the time. Just ditch it for a few minutes and go out to refresh yourselves. In fact, it would be totally crazy and fun to organize a rain dance party in the office one day (Lol). Well, the professional in me denies this idea though.
Before you conclude on my insanity, I would like to remind you that I am from Delhi, the city where rains are as rare are the sparrows. So, it’s natural for a rain lover like me to go crazy in an awesome weather like this. And I totally realize that monsoon has a long spell in Pune and that I will soon be drained out of this ‘m-lovin-it’ feeling. But till that time comes, let this poor rain deprived creature enjoy the season. Meanwhile, you enjoy recalling your childhood rainy season memories and don’t curse me for making you nostalgic about that. Cheers!
