When it rained that night..

Posted on by Parul Thakur

7 PM

All we wanted was a long walk in the lovely weather. The Sun had set and there was still time for dinner. Weekends are for long walks, heart to heart conversations and holding hands. With that thought in mind, I pulled out some money from my wallet assuming I had sufficient if we were hungry or wanted a ride back home.

The roads were well-lit, restaurants and bars were abuzz with activity, people were shopping, store hopping and traffic was at its peak. I was glad that we were just walking. Comfortable shoes, someone to talk to and beating the traffic when on foot is sometimes the best thing to do.

8 PM

Some window shopping, figuring a place to grab food on the way back, we kept on walking when a drop of water appeared out of no where over my glasses. Before we could think of turning back towards home, it started drizzling. Within minutes, the drizzle had turned into a downpour and we took shelter in a store. When the rain settled a bit, we stepped out. Watching it rain felt good.

8:30 PM

The next stop was another showroom and this time it was raining so heavily that glad this place was around. We quickly got into this store. Roamed around on all the floors, checked out stuff and made up our minds to shop later from that retail outlet. It had a good collection and the pricing was competitive.

9 PM

Hunger pangs had started trickling in and it was time to make a move but then it hadn’t stopped pouring. We found a place to sit and there were conversations – from travel plans to how individuals are different. From food to how people react when faced with uncertainty. From past to future. Time flew by but the rain just-did-not-stop.

10 PM

We decided that now we should just get a ride back home. So I pulled out the money from pocket to realize that it was just fifty bucks. Way too less at that hour and we knew that the auto guys would charge at least a double of what I had brought from home. After a couple of failed attempts, a spectacles wearing 40 something guy agreed to drop us on the main road. It was still pouring. I was upset that the he is overcharging and the distance is less and he could have dropped us home but all that whining  was futile. It was important that we get back home.

We got into the auto and then the guy told us that cos it’s been raining, the brakes are weak and if water gets inside, his vehicle would be stuck. It was hard for him trying to maneuver his vehicle in between cars and buses and of course the rains. The visibility was as poor as you can imagine and all through that ride, I was reminded that every single person is fighting a battle, however big or small. While we want to get home, this guy is also on the road in such heavy rains and has to get to his home. The ride is not safe for him as well. While we will reach home soon, he would still be on the go, trying to reach home safely to his family.

10:45 PM

It was dark and water had started clogging. We paid the guy what was decided, let him drop us at the main road and continued to walk towards home. Avoiding the water and the potholes. By the time we reached, we were drenched but at least we were home.

We don’t know how many homeless people survive such torrential rains, how many sales people call it a day late night after closing stores and get ready to be back on time the next morning, the many cab guys who sleep in their cars just to earn the daily bread. Those who deliver food in such a weather, feeding someone when they themselves don’t know when will they dine. It’s hard and it’s life.

Life is easy for none. Count your blessings and walk along life as much as you can. Sometimes, life’s lessons come when we expect them the least, may be while walking on a weekend.

In the auto, getting back home..
In the auto, getting back home..

 Trying to get regular with Yeah Write. This one is for #230.

53 thoughts on “When it rained that night..”

  1. It’s good to get a bit of a reality check sometimes, isn’t it? Sometimes we need another perspective, to see things the way someone else might experience it, to make us grateful for what we have. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Mom and sis had gone out, and faced a tricky trip back. She gave the auto driver 40 rupees extra itself. He got them back safe, and we were glad. At the moment, I don’t think we think of anyone else, but it is sad to imagine the negative side to the much needed rains. Hope the driver reached back safely to his family as well.

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  4. A peek at a much different life than I have experienced. My husband and I have not had to worry about an unreliable vehicle for many years but too many working poor are in that position. In my country, many long distance truckers have to pull off the highway and sleep along exits – you see them there if you travel early in the morning. It’s a dangerous practice but they have no choice and it’s sad that workers have to do that in your country, too.

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  5. Such an interesting progression from the carefree beginning of your evening. It was an especially effective device to note the times of the different happenings. I enjoyed the contrasts. Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean about feeling a warm bond with other bloggers. This is something I didn’t expect but that happens when you are sincere and willing to reveal yourself in your writing, as you do and as Marilyn does. Enjoy your rest and we’ll all be waiting here when you both get back. S’nS from your rest period and Marilyn from your journeys! http://judydykstrabrown.com/2015/09/08/the-old-and-unrested/

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  6. Oh yes everyone is liv8g the same life I think.. Some have bigger problems and others smaller..

    My dad use to say that look at others sometimes. . And see how they live or face issues we will find that there are millions who have a harder life then us and yet they are smiling .. so why don’t we.

    A thoughtful post mam..and next time pick more money he he he he. .

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  7. I do feel sorry for the delivery guys here in Bangalore, so much stress all day long :/ Whatever be the weather, they have to head to homes and get paid a measly sum for all that hard work. Its quite sad.

    P.S: On the bright side, I LOVE THE RAINS. Doesn’t matter whether I am inside or out, I absolutely love the rains 🙂

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  8. Totally loved your post today dear Parul- felt I was right there with you the whole evening:-) And how you show the essence of it really: Yes, count your blessings and walk along life. Hugs

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  12. Nice learning from the Story.
    There is always somebody somewhere fighting to earn his livelihood…i used to watch a lady carrying bricks on her head (constructing a house) in the scorching summer of North India.

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  18. I saw that coming! Such events sometimes allow us to do the thinking and ponder over the small gifts that we have, easily to ignore and only think about them when they’re not there..!
    Beautifully expressed Parul

    Cheers

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  23. “Count your blessings and walk along life as much as you can”….worth a lesson.
    Last Saturday, we headed out of home for our weekly grocery shopping. Husband kept complaining about bad roads, manholes, incompetent government, infrastructure problems, traffic, parking problems in the mall etc etc. This carried on throughout the 20 minute drive and got repeated on the way back home too and then I was forced to mention that somebody is becoming a habitual complainer. Let us cut it out. It is true things are not right around us but our constant irritation and complaining is not going to change anything outside only creating agitation inside.

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  24. That’s a really thoughtful post. In our race to be successful, rich and famous we forget to get a reality check of the world around us. Sometimes we need to stop and look around. There’s so much we can do to make a difference. It’s only that we need to take a step.

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  26. Absolutely people are struggling daily in their lives, there is a new battle everyday. We should be glad and count our blessings. Lovely post, how simple observations in Life push us into deep introspection!

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