The gray clouds gather together enveloping the sun and in no time it’s as if the sun didn’t even exist today. I hear the rumble of thunder in the distance and the gloominess that follows as it swallows up its surroundings. The quiet before the storm, there is some kind mystifying excitement in it. I wait in anticipation for the first rain drops. Most people I know love the rain, they tell me it’s romantic. I, however, don’t associate romance with rain. Rain dampens my mood. The sudden illumination of lightning strikes discreetly from beyond the shadowy dusk and the darker clouds swarm in abundance, the show is about to begin. The last of the sunset leaves the sky with faint water colors as it bids farewell to the moonless eve and the unpredictable chaos that is about to give birth.
My steps quicken, I have no desire to be swept in between the huge drops that will begin to cascade, showering me with no mercy. I’d rather be watching this weather from my window than be caught in it. As my breath gets heavier, it feels harder to breathe this humid musty air. The smell of rain both burdens me with anxiety as well as awakening my senses. The rain here lasts a short while, always unpredictable. It brings with it warm drops that dry up so easily in the heat. But this heat doesn’t disintegrate at all with the downpour, instead it makes way for more warmth.
I remember my childhood rainfalls. They weren’t so exciting because they never seemed to end. We even sang a song as children; ‘Rain, rain go away, come back another day’. As if it were some chant that would magically work wonders. That rain brought with it the chill and the numbing jolt of unforgiving wind that stung your senses. We were always wrapped up warmly for that weather. Sometimes we couldn’t decide whether to shelter from the rain or the wind. Perhaps that is why I care less for rain now, bitter memories. For some reason I always associate rain with frigid temperatures and the unforgiving dampness, icy cold winds, the need to carry umbrellas and bundle in warm coats.
I pick up my pace, it’s a race against time now. The faster I run the more it rains. I have to admit it does kind of feel satisfying not to wear so many layers. As the warm drops begin to hit my skin harder I find myself relishing the experience, and in no time I make it back before the climax. I’m accompanied by a few others that also seek shelter. As I gather my breath, I look around to see all the foliage that was anticipating this rain fall with eagerness and how it welcomes the nourishment. My dislike is what they awaited all along.
The rain hits the glass hard, every now and then a bolt of lightning strikes to remind me some acts of nature have no mercy. The drops slide down the window one at a time making room for the next. I guess it’s not so bad after all. That’s also because now I’m watching the show from my window, as I hum my rain song.