Avoiding going out in heavy rain has been my preference for as long as I remember. It never mattered how many times people asked me to at least try it; my answer was always in the negative. Having my clothes all soggy in severe rain was never my idea of 'fun'. For me, the beauty of rain was evermore to be enjoyed from the inside of the house, through the window, watching everything getting washed, dirt dripping away from the trees, birdies seeking shelters and stooped in the corners... Pretty sight. Aye. But, (isn't there always a ‘but’ factor?) the pretty sight always had a catch. Looking out, appreciating the heavenly weather, I never failed to notice squatter camps made on the empty plot on the opposite side of the road. Since i was used to everyone's ( mine included) constant worries about one thing or the other at home, work, etc. that may get effected by the rain, I always wondered how bad it would be for the labor class.
Yesterday, as I got ready for the college, I kept worrying about the small walk from my home till the end of the street from where I catch the point to college. I was pretty much tempted to stay home altogether just to prevent myself from getting damp and sticky in rain, from the muddy water on the road and to avoid wet seats in the point.
But alas, all of the above happened. As I stepped out on the street, the first puddle of water penetrated my shoes and into the socks to my disapproval. To top it all, by the time my point arrived, I was dripping wet. The weather was no doubt beautiful, the morning was pleasant and the air felt just perfect. We were half way there, when the news came that the college was closed for the day due to the terrestrial rain to my dismay.
On our way back, I was dropped a little further away from my street due to the electricity wires that were hanging too low. Again I started my dreaded walk in the heavy rain. Since I was already dripping with water I decided to might as well enjoy the walk. It was then that I noticed the little timber huts to my right. All wet. Kids were playing in the area happily with their eyes twinkling and the excitement due to rain was not only obvious but quite contagious as well. It kinda rubbed off on me and lifted my spirits. There was no sign of worry on their faces. I saw the grownups watching them and enjoying little chit chats amongst themselves, their huts protected with plastic sheets. The sight was not bad at all. Knowing they would have to suffer with the after effects of the rain, they were still trying their best to make the most of the good aspects. Prolly they had accepted the inevitability of the situation, which made them stronger towards the acceptance. But the point is, they were :). The sight touched me, I felt stupid at my petty paranoia.
All of a sudden, I was glad that I got up in the morning and decided to go. It became my own little adventure, a lesson, an appreciation point and realization of the fact that a glass is not always half empty.. We often forget that its half filled with water as well.
Heeri
P.S. Photo credit Misha Siddiqi who lives just across the road :)
( Hey, i don't take credit for the image above, i totally got it off the internet)
