Romance and Rains

This is a specific chapter in the story about 2 people and how rain played an important role in their lives, more specifically their love life.

2 friends (of the opposite sex, ok enough of pj's now) decide to drive to Lonavala via the expressway one cloudy day because the weather was nice for a drive. There was something in the air that both could feel but not pin point what it was.

As the car sped towards Lonavala, 1st stop was the drive in Mc Donalds to stock up on some burgers, fries and coffee. That done, the car gets on to the expressway. The weather is cloudy , windy and the conversation in the car flows while munching away on the grub. After the eating is over, the guy concentrates on the driving and the girl was enjoying the waterfalls along the road.

Soon Lonavala arrives in all its glory and splendor. Its covered in clouds, a slight drizzle and its amazingly green all around. The scenery is breathtaking. As they stand looking at the views between the valley and the mountains, suddenly both feel tense.

Then they drive towards the famous Bushy dam. It being a week day, there are hardly any picnickers around but both are in no mood to get under the waters of the dam. They drive on to Lions end, a place that offers a beautiful view from a place just a little before Amby Valley. The view is simply out of the world. The conversation has now stopped, both are spell bound by the beauty of the place and the rains continue to drizzle. Suddenly there is a crackling sound and both are surprised.

As it happens normally in such beautiful weather, people feel hungry and these 2 were no different . Hunger pangs strike and they get into the car and drive down to Lonavala for lunch. After a nice, satisfying lunch - it's time to head back home.

After driving slowly through Lonavala and Khandala, not wanting to let go of the greenery and views, they get onto the expressway. Its still raining.

The conversation in the car has stopped. The girl watches the scenery outside while her mind wanders on the crackling sound that she heard in the hills. The guy meanwhile is driving the car slowly and carefully - his mind is wandering about too, thinking about the unspoken silence and heaviness between the 2 of them.

And inspite of that unspoken heaviness - the comfort zone is very much evident. There is no need to speak anything - the guy looks at the girl from the corner of his eye and is surprised that she is looking at him. "What happened" , he asks. "Nothing" is the reply. Meanwhile the rains increase in intensity.

A little ahead when coming out of the tunnel, the girl looks at the guy and finds him staring at her with a dreamy look in his eyes. She turns away and so does the guy. As she turns towards the window to look at the scenery outside, a smile plays on her lips. As it does on the guy's lips.

Under the smile, both their mind ticks away. Why is this happening ? Why am I looking at him/her ? And why is she/he looking back at me but not saying anything ? The car speeds towards the end of the expressway - its still raining.

Soon they reach Mumbai and its time to drop off the girl. Saying bye this time is special and the conversation just before she gets off the car is longer. Its like there is an invisible force that does not want her to leave. The rains continue.

As it gets late - the conversation stops but still there is no awkwardness. Both sit comfortably with each other' company while the rain increases the intensity.

Its late and the girl has to go home. She reluctantly gets out of the car and says "Bye". "Bye" says the guy too. As the girl turns away and walks towards her home - it hits the guy - Its LOVE. He has fallen in love ! Suddenly he was scared, very scared. What if she did not feel the same way ? Should he tell her ? How will she react ? Will she not talk to him any more after he tells her ??

With love comes confusion and the guy drives back home in total confusion. The rains continue.

As the girl gets into the house, she can't stop thinking about the day and about the guy. She cant get her mind of the guy, whats wrong with me , she thinks. Its love says her mind and she cannot believe it. She goes to sleep but cannot. She gets up and goes to the window. The rains are still coming down. Now she know that the crackling sound she heard was not thunder but love.She tries to sleep again but to no avail. She is now in love and it hits her hard in the morning.

With love comes confusion and she now has loads of questions on her mind. What if he does not feel the same ? If he feels the same, how will I know ?

Meanwhile its still raining. And 2 people have realised that they love each other. Rains have played their part again.


Fast forward 6 years - to 28 June 2007

Well the 2 are now happy with each other. They managed to tell each other their feelings and both reciprocated.

Meanwhile - yesterday both of them felt the same crackling sound again. And as they looked outside, it was raining.