Treachery of the rain

The raindrops were casting a spell on me once more, a spell that enclosed me in its powerful grip, refusing to let go. A bewitching charm that enchanted me. There was something unusual about that particular magical shower on that distant, cold winter night, which mesmerized and fascinated me. I was always spellbound when it rained in the dark of the night. The night rain had a peculiar beauty to it that enticed me, leaving me smitten so that I would forget about everything else and would run towards the downpour like one possessed. That night too, like any other rainy night the deluge forced me to come out and witness its splendor.

Nothing extraordinary took place that night but still I could feel something bizarre happening, a stirring in the winds. Yes! I was right, the cloudburst was yet again knocking on my door, calling me to become an awed spectator and relish it. I was utterly rapt; I left my comfortable covers and went chasing after the tiny droplets the skies were shedding. Leaving the warmth and coziness of my divan behind, I was extremely keyed up. The atypical and wonderful noise of the sleet of rain, along with the heady smell of the wet mud was something I have always loved. That was what answered all queries related to my absence from home at odd hours.

The wind whipped her hair, molding it to her slender cheekbones, like a second skin.

She tilted her face, catching the first rain drops as they began to fall upon the thirsty earth.

Closing her eyes and inhaling - slowly, letting her skin savor the moisture in separate, single increments.

It was as if every cell of her body had come alive, 

Dancing with the same electrical intensity as the lightning that surged through the sky.

The thunder, an angry grumble of nature rumbled over head.

In those few moments, she felt joyously alive...

And she knew no fear.

Locked in a spell of the elements... Feeling the storm...

Bringing her peace...Within herself... With the world…

But cheers claim cost. I had to pay for my transcendence. The hours of darkness were flaunting their gloomy shadows, and I began to feel the violence and austerity of those hours. I was regretting the time when I paid heed to the call of the rainfall. The rain was still falling madly, coming down in torrents now. My enthusiasm, however, became lackadaisical, getting replaced by a fear of sorts taking a stronger hold with every passing second. I wanted to run back to safety of the confines of my home, but the rain was not ready to lose such an intransigent fanatic.

I was bewildered and started to shiver. Was it due to the cold or the fear? I could not decide. At last weary, frightened, and lost I sat down on my haunches to listen to the commands of my dismal fate. Little by little, a void began to creep into my mind, and unconsciousness engulfed me in its arms.

I saw a throng of people gathered around me when I next opened my eyes. I could guess the long list of questions they were going to ask me. I knew I could never convince them or appease myself if I regaled my story. The brilliant rays of sunlight were stabbing my face. The sky was so clear, not a cloud strewn about. No trace of the brutality of the night bygone left. It was like but a lucid dream, so I had to disregard and put the atrocities of the night behind me now. No one should no what had befallen me in the dark of the night.

“Hey, it’s raining outside!”, the voice shattered the my peace of mind. The hex of the rain was working again. I could not resist. I had to leave, I was snared!

  

My sneaking tears,

How heavy fell the rain that day,
From burdened clouds of mournful grey.
The torrent forced them stay their height -
Composure swayed by onerous might.

My skin wrung wet with icy chill
As mud embraced that sodden hill.
But mind of mine had elsewhere gone -
'Twas clouds abandoned I was on.

The driving drops advanced their gears
To camouflage my sneaking tears -
Whence now did swell such floods of pain
To see me melt into this rain…

On equal bearing now were we: 
This rain; myself, in harmony.