Sitting on an elevated place and looking down at the small stream gushing down with force due to copious Monsoon rains Seema was recapturing the 40 odd years of her life.
What was there for her in those 40 years she thought? Other than Brute her son there was nothing to fall back and ponder upon. (She used to address her son Vicky as Brute for his prank's.)
As she recalled those 40 years the only pleasant thing which came to her mind was her childhood. Then as she grew up to be a charming woman fate stuck her so hard that she could not come out it, she had got married. She had got married to a person twice her age.
After leading a life with him for 20 years she lost him. He died a natural death leaving behind a property worth millions and a son born by a miracle. It was a miracle as he was impotent. Seema used to feel cold sweat run down her spine imaging how it would have been if Vicky was not born. Vicky was the only reason she had survived all along.
While her eyes dampened recalling those days it felt nice to feel the cool rain come down. Lifting her face she let the drops cascade down her cheeks and feeling its chillness brought immense relief to her.
As the light drizzle gained momentum and started pouring she enjoyed it and by the time the wind blew away the clouds and it stopped raining she was totally drenched and without a bother she walked back to her farm house.
Her son Vicky was aghast on seeing her totally drenched. He did not try his pranks and when his mother turned back to reason it out she saw his eyes were glued on her. Without knowing the reason she went in to change and when she came out she heard him say 'why did you not call me Mom.'
'I did not as I know what your reactions would have been,' letting out those words she smiled at him.
'No I wouldn't have played any pranks on you, not when you were ...' He did not complete the sentence.
'Why is it that you always try your tricks upon me,' she asked.
'Its because you want me to and l love to,' he replied.
'Come on no sane woman would like your pranks,' said she.
'Who said you are sane. If you were you would not have got drenched,' he replied looking at her soaked body.
'You don't understand how much I loved lt. I wish the rain had not stopped,' she replied softly.
'You know something you looked cute in those wet clothes Mom. You looked as if you are a child,' he said.
'How I wish I was a child,' said she as her mind raced back to that golden period.
'Thinking of getting wet again,' asked Vicky on seeing her dreaming.
'No, not with you . . . . you are a brute,' she replied smiling again.
'Well don't tell me I did not ask you,' saying this he went out.
Later the front bell rang and knowing it to be his pranks she neglected it. The second time when it rang she fumed and on the third attempt opening the door as she lifted the pan she was carrying she found it to be the weatherman at the doorstep.
'What did I do ma'am,' asked the puzzled weatherman.
Hiding her smile 'I am sorry I thought it was Brute,' she said.
'Brute?' he asked.
'Yes Brute,' she replied smiling again.
'Well I came here to inform that there will be power cuts due to monsoon,' said the weatherman.
'Thank you,' she replied and on shutting the door wondered how easily she had got fooled. It brought a huge smile on her face thinking even in his absence she was fooled by his pranks. What would I have done if he was not there, she thought. Then suddenly her vision drifted to the morning when she had come home after being drenched. What had made him or what had he seen that had him so engrossed she wondered. However hard she tried she could not find an answer. Shaking her head she went in.
That night Vicky had a bad dream and as he opened his eyes he felt his body trembling. The first thing that came to his mind was to call his Mom. Then changed his mind thinking what if she thought this to be his prank. This made him sit straight on the bed and what he saw made him more nervous. He saw that he was aroused.
Pulling the heavy rug over he closed his eyes and did not open till the suns rays penetrated his room. As morning dawned and he stepped inside the kitchen Seema sensing his presence stiffened thinking either he would tickle her or try some thing to scare her. When nothing of that happened as she turned to face what she saw of him puzzled her. She saw that he was in some sort of a trance and his vision seemed to be blurred.
Reaching out and holding him 'are you okay dear,' she asked.
Grasping her tightly 'It was a bad dream Mom,' he said.
Embracing him 'its okay dear cool down cool down,' she said and when he came out of her arms and sat down she fetched him some coffee.
It was only after having a cup of coffee that normalcy returned and looking at her 'Mom I need some fresh air shall we go out,' he said.
'But it's raining dear,' she said.
'Its okay lets go while it is raining,' he replied.
'Okay fine but no hanky panky,' and seeing him smile 'Brute I love you,' she said blowing a kiss.
As they stepped out it was drizzling and soon it gave way to bright sunshine. 'Look this is what happens in monsoon, the weather is unpredictable. When you want it to rain it does not and when you don't want it pours heavily,' said his mom.
'What do you want Mom, do you want it to rain,' asked Vicky.
'Yes I want it to rain cats and dogs,' she replied excitedly.
'But will you not be scared,' he asked.
'Not in the company of a 19 year old brute,' she replied.
'Oh Mom you are so sweet,' he said.
'Sweet? Don't I look cute,' she asked.
'You look cute when you get drenched,' he shot back.
Lifting her eyebrows 'its very difficult to understand you men. At one point you are ready to help us on the other you want us to be drenched but why,' she asked.
'Because you said you enjoy when it rains,' he replied..
'Yes I love it and look it has started raining,' she said spreading her arms wide and looking up at the sky.
Vicky's eyes took to her. Though he saw his Mom getting soaked in the rain he felt there was something missing. No matter how hard he tried he could not get to the point. Seeing her the other day was totally different from this. Though he was watching her from a closer range the urge the excitement of seeing her earlier was missing and he could not reason it out.
Not satisfied with the days outcome Vicky returned back and on reaching home 'did you enjoy it Mom,' he asked.
'Yes more so being in your company,' she replied.
Pleased by her reply 'how about going tomorrow,' he asked.