Mumbai meri Jaan and monsoon magic...

Mumbai meri Jaan and monsoon magic...

Today, I woke up with the pitter patter of raindrops on our window sill. It was 5 30 in the morning. I looked out of the window and saw raindrops falling like pellets from the sky. Thick silvery drops , they broke into tiny droplets, splashing into the flowing waters. The sky was grey and misty, full of clouds. The leaves of the trees, freshly washed, blowing with the breeze bringing cool winds.
It was another day but the rains were adding a different charm.
Monsoons in Mumbai are beautiful if one is at home, safe and secure. Or else there are instances of people losing their lives. The newspapers reported about 30 deaths till date due to the monsoons. They seemed to have risen by 30 percent it said. Suddenly, the beauty of the rains was lost.
I continued with my daily routine of cooking, getting my son's tiffin ready as he had to leave for school. As I stepped out into the rains, armed with an umbrella to drop him at the bus stop, I was once again engulfed in its romance, almost enticed to throw away the umbrella and walk in gay abandon in the flowing waters. That is what we did when we were small , chase the rain waters, jump in it, make paper boats. It is difficult to see any child doing that these days. Either parents are over- protective or children are plain disinterested.
I walked back from the bus stop folding the umbrella unabashedly, feeling the rain on my face and hands. It was pure and simple joy which took me back to my childhood, our cute little bungalow in the railway colony. I jumped into the puddle of water with childish glee. Of course this lasted for a couple of minutes for soon I was home, back to the grind of getting ready to leave for work.
The Rain Gods continued to descend when i left for work an hour later. The trees still swaying, showing off their washed look with pride. The roads were relatively empty as Mumbaikars avoid going out when heavy rains are predicted. The skies were misty.
Suddenly my mind traversed to the hills of Mussourie.
Last year, at this time we were at LBSNAA for our Induction training. Mussourie was dreamlike and wondrous with clouds drifting in the valleys, enveloped with greenery. Silvery and grey clouds spinning magic with the hills, beckoning us to explore the green hillsides.
We were taken on a scenic trail to Lal Tibba and it was exciting to explore the beautiful misty mountains. Our trip to Kemptee falls in the backdrop of the lush greenery was mesmerising. Occasionally I used to walk down or cycle to Happy Valley to the gym and it would always be invigorating to experience the cold winds and the light drizzle. Being in the Queen of Hills during the monsoons is an unforgettable experience. I suddenly yearned to be there, very much of a student eager to explore, learn and enjoy.
A splash of muddy water on the car's wind screen brought me back to Mumbai and it's worldly charm. No doubts Mussourie was good for a change but after all Mumbai is Mumbai and is "meri jaan"....