Peeping through clouds yesterday

Growling dark clouds were chasing me. I ran as fast as my little legs could manage. The wind surrounded me, fierce and howling. The tall eucalyptus trees lining the road ahead bent over in reverence to a force they could do nothing but obey. Running didn't really require much strength as I was carried along by the wind.

As the grey dullness acquired a darker shade, I clanged the wrought iron gate open and sprinted up the driveway. Finally, home. A heart stopping roar of thunder hit hard and lightning streaked everything menacingly. I saw shattered glass lying about as Ma opened the door a wee bit to let me in. With the storms, windowpanes banged hard and broke regularly.

And then, from the warm and cozy comforts inside, I kneel on a high chair and watch in amazement the fury that unfurls outside. Suddenly it's an anti climax as everything is soothed by rain slashing down hard. Visibility becomes a uniform hazy blur and the rhythmic pouring of rain leaves nothing more to see. I get off my chair and head towards the plate of sizzling fries and hot cakes.

This is how childhood was. But even today whenever the sky turns grey, I unconsciously look for bending trees. I watch the clouds rolling by in wonder. I see the top of the hills disappear in a mist of cloud and prepare myself for deafening thunder. I rush and make myself some coffee to sip with hot samosas. I invite memories of a time lived in a little town with rains throughout the year.

And today, a little bit of childhood did come calling.