There is no one that I know who is not attracted by the sibilant music of the first rain. There are a million thoughts impetuously gushing with the rains. The feeling is tantalising. The first thing I do is rush to open my window to let me enjoy the water splashing on my palm. I then almost run to my laptop attach my external drive and listen - to Garwa. No words can describe the feeling, you have to do this yourself to know what it feels like.
The orioles of the parched lands are effusing the heat trapped in them. The smell of the of the wet sand after the first rain intoxicates you - especially when you think that the petrified, ossified surroundings are here to stay. And then the trees sway to the tunes of the rains, the little birdies on the trees are flapping their wet wings merrily and I am standing by my window in my room smiling truly. Such is the welcome that the first deluge receives.
In the background I hear
"...पहिले तळहात पहिला प्रेम
पहिल्या सरीच ते पहिलच थेंब
पहिलाच पाउस पहिलीच आठवण..."
It is almost two years now since I have enjoyed this. Two years back I was in Bangalore and it did not rain there then, I remember. Then of course, last year I was in Ahmedabad. Hmmm... some time it was! Dry, parched, barren.... The sparse rains did not soothe me. All that was in store for me were the heat waves, the scorching sun, the dry leaves, the dust and desert sand and the hard water. For the first time since I am since I am back home my mind goes back to Ahmedabad. Although I miss the peacocks dance, the reminiscent Ahmedabad no longer hurts. The rains, I now I think of it, are here to soothe the thirst.
Suddenly another song is being played in the background, another one of my favourites...
"खुशियौ की कोशिश मे
हर दिन दर्द झमेला है
बातों को टीम टीम करने दो
वह अँधेरा है..."
Soon grass will grow on defiant lands. A viridescent hue will spread across the landscape. The panorama to be etched on my retina.
Says who I am in Pune?
I am in Phonexia!
