Pitter Patter Raindrops | Flash Post 367

Button, why can’t these humans understand that we can also sit at a window and watch the rain fall?

Why do you think they don’t, Messi?

This morning, as I lay sprawled on the window ledge—rain began to fall, slowly  at first and picking up pace gradually—I heard one of the family question as to what I was doing sitting by the window and looking out! They said I looked like Rodin’s Thinker. Of course, I had no idea who they were talking about!

Did you turn around and give them one of your deadly glares?

I did and then continued to watch the rain. Its such a soothing experience to do what I was doing, watching droplets of water fall down from somewhere up there—I presume the sky—and, as I strained my neck to check the source, a few of those cool droplets fell on my face.

Perhaps you don’t know that Dost used to do the same thing as a child. He’d stand by the window in his home in Kolkata and watch the rain fall and trickle down the window pane. He would try and wipe those droplets away with his hands from the inside to be able to see the other side more clearly only to realise he couldn’t as the water droplets were on the opposite side. Do you think of anything in particular when you sit there admiring the rain?

Since this is the first monsoon I am witnessing, I am obviously fascinated by it. I sit by the window and think of all those unfortunate lives—humans as well as animals—who are out there getting wet and feeling cold because they don’t have a shelter to shield them from the onslaught. Yesterday, I watched a tiny dragonfly sitting on the window ledge, desperately trying to dry its wings so it could fly away. It managed to do so after flapping its wings several times and preening about, watching me from the corner of his eye for fear that I might swat it with my paw. I also saw a crow drenched to his bone sitting on a branch of a tree in the compound. The feathers on his head were standing up making him look like a mohawk! When he found me staring at him, he glared back as if to say “You have no business to sit in your fancy home and stare at less fortunate lives like us. But, don’t worry brother. We’re doing quite well for ourselves eking out a living all on our own.” Do you like the rains, Button?

I love the rains. Do you know that we drive down to Worli sea face to splash around and get drenched in the rains every year?  You can come with us this time.

No. Count me out.

Why?

Because I don’t like getting my paws wet. I’ve just given myself a pedicure this morning.

How can you then enjoy the rains?

By sitting at the window and watching it fall and fall and dream of eating steamy hot pakodas with my tea.

Anything else that comes to mind?

I’d like to dance with Madhubala in the rain after hearing so much about the song Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si from Chalti Ki Naam Gadi from the man you call Dost!