The Smell of Soil

Based on true events.

I miss home.

When I hear this statement being made by the people around me, the story usually ends (or sometimes starts) with sports. What they used to play when they were young. A game of football with two rocks as a goal post, a game of cricket where hitting a six meant immediate elimination and so on.

Not for me.

I've been an introvert for a major chunk of my life and for that very reason, my time for myself was spent indoors. The occasional bonding with the nature that I had were during the rains. I've always felt connected to the rains. The clouds and the drizzles. Now, don't get me wrong. When I say 'bonding' with the nature, it merely means taking my gaze away from the computer screen to go sit near the window, see the rain drops fall from up above. Sometimes I'll get lucky and a mist of water droplets come and greet my face.

Long back, when I used to cycle back home from school, and there was a possibility of me getting caught in the rain, I would have this imaginary negotiation with the lord of the clouds, requesting a delay till I reach home. I had attributed this relation to my birth. Being born during the month when the clouds drown the city does have its perks.

And do you know what the weirdest part is? It worked. Every single time. There was never once an instance in my life where I negotiated with the so-called overlords and they gave up on me. The worst that happened was the rains coming down just as I reached the gates of my home.

I wrote those words a week ago.

Fast forward to today, I happened to collapse on the way to the office. Although a dozen tests, MRI scans and EEGs showed nothing but a plain normal and healthy person, I happened to crack my shoulder bone and the doctor advised a week's rest.

I head back home.

Guess what what waiting for me amidst the hot nights that were typical of the April months back home?

Rains.

Not just faint showers of baby droplets.
Heavy downpours with fury, thunder and lightning.

Sitting on this balcony, looking at the rains come down, I can't help but wonder- was this planned?