Respite in the Middle of Summer

This was our first real experience of a summer in Pune. The heat began in earnest as March was ending, increasing as April began and continued, till it felt like we were suffocating in its stifling, vice like grip. Relief bringing breezes were few and far between and as the temperatures soared in the afternoon there was little one could do but lie down limp and lifeless, in a half dazed stupor. Nights failed to bring respite and perspiration, parched throat and lips and an unquenched thirst became a part of life, till the mind and body cried for a reprieve from the never ending heat - and then it came, when least expected.

On 15th April, as another burning afternoon assailed us, suddenly the winds began and dark clouds appeared from nowhere. Trees gyrated madly like whirling dervishes in some frenzied rain dance and finally drops of the year’s first rain fell. Though the earth gave out is sweet fresh smell, it also released the heat trapped within it and so that first shower did little to alleviate our discomfort. The shower faded to a drizzle and then stopped for a while, fortunately it wasn’t the end. After a while dark clouds thickened, till the sun hung like an orange sliver in the west and then totally disappeared. Lightening flashed, thunder roared, even as the wind continued playing its own wild band and then the deluge began. The pulsating excitement of the storm infected us and our neighbours and some children even came out to get wet. The storm was exhilarating, inviting one to throw inhibitions to the winds and becoming one with it, dance out in the rain. Just when one thought nothing more would happen, noisy, fat hailstones began to fall.

A pleasurable, clean, crisp breeze wafted in on dawn’s wings. Clouds still hovered in the morning sky, some dark, some puffy and white. The light of the rising sun filtered through dark clouds, cast an unearthly, rose pink glow on the buildings and trees. The cool promises of the morning though faded as the day grew, the sun once more claiming its own. Lethargy, drooping lashes and closed curtains once again beckoned the mind to the pleasures of siesta to while away the never ending afternoon. Too exhausted to even draw the drapes completely, I fell asleep with the sun streaming in from one side, only to wake up in a short while surprised by the growing darkness. The sun had all but disappeared in the west and the wind played its own wild dance. The sight from the terrace was fascinating. Trees once more whirled and swirled, while leaves and dry seed pods torn free, swiveled and spun, rising higher and higher in the wind. I did not notice the birds, but squirrels scurried here and there swiftly. The wind felt almost cold and it was with surprise I looked up at a monotonous whirring sound, to realise my neighbours still had their AC on and were oblivious to the beauty nature had so magnificently displayed. I went to the drawing room balcony, to look in the opposite direction. Strangely on the eastern side it was more restrained and though the leaves fell heavily from the Eucalyptus trees, the clouds were not as thick here and there was still light. The army of sweepers battled valiantly but futilely against the onslaught of the falling leaves. Soon the eastern side too had become just as wild as the western. Storms though frightening, have always released in me some primordial feeling, one that makes me want to embrace it in all its awesome glory, so leaving the windows open, I surrendered myself to the elements and sat down to relish it.