Late!!

"Oh shit. What time is it?" I woke up startled, realizing I was terribly late.

Timing is very important. I have to be there, exactly at the right time, as I have been doing it year after year. And now here I am, unprepared, late and far away from where I have to be.

I pulled myself together gathering my lost confidence, "I can't give up. Millions of lives depend on me. I can't let them down. So many prayers, so many hopes, PEOPLE CAN DIE!!".

I quickly got up and rushed out of the door, ran outside the house. I had to run all the way and I was panting already. I cannot stop. I cannot waste another second. Running with full might, I knew, its a very long way to go. It may take few days or even a week to reach, but I know I cannot stop. I had to run. To my disappointment, even the wind was against me. Damn this El nino.

After a few days of lamming, my will power was depleted. I was exhausted and fatigued. The heat from the Sun was unbearable. I slowed down. I was not far. My lungs were aching and I wanted to stop and catch a breath. I slowed further. 'I CANT WASTE A SECOND' someone screamed. It was the coarse loud voice of  my own conscience. "I have to move. I cant be late. I can't stop. I have to run". Self encouragement was helpful. 

I could see the plains ahead of me. The sight was ugly. The farms had dried; the birds had gone missing; the trees were dying; it was a total massacre. The hills on the other side had turned pale; the lakes and rivers had dried up. Deep inside the forest, I could see the King collapse by the river. The Sun had been mischievous in my absence. I started crying. I could not control my tears, "Had I come earlier, I could have s

aved that mighty beast, and so many others".

People would hate me. Those who worshiped me, prayed for me, loved me; would now decry my arrival. "What have I done..". They were standing not very far from me. Children of farmers. Weak, sweaty and teary eyed. I could not face them. 

But they knew I was around. Their eyes shot up- with immense joy. Like they have been waiting for me since a long time. Huge smiles adorned their faces. They hadn't seen me yet. They could only smell me. The earth, smelling sweet, always gave me away. They started running towards me. With hope, with happiness. They were singing. With a loud thunder, I announced my arrival. No, they did not decry my arrival. I was still welcome. With the same love, same joy, they welcomed me.

Each time I roared, people would join in chorus and would try to match up to me. They would sing Hail. Without wasting a single moment, I poured them with the elixir of life. Sweet rain drops charged the mother earth like millions of arrows being shot. With every passing moment, intensity would double. 

They all danced to the humdrum of the rain drops, the occasional gong of thunder. The earth, the waving trees all joined them in their celebrations.Paper boats would float on small streams on the streets, children getting drenched on the rooftops, the animals and plants, singing sigh of relief from the wrath of the Sun. With a final thunder, I announced..

The Monsoon is Here..