Let's have a fag...

I took my cigarette and took a long puff. The cauterizing air filled me and then I deeply inhaled, feeling the slow toxin coursing through and filling my lungs. The smoky thoughts started swirling as I pondered over a question one of my friend asked a couple of days back, “Why did you start smoking again?” Actually, it was not a conscious decision, rather an answer to my escapism and loneliness. I had abstained from smoking for 9 long years. The first time I started when I was a teenager, just to get the kick out of being macho; to try and impress others in some silly way, convinced that it'll make me appear older than my peers. Boyish fascination for attaining early manhood. Then after a few years I quit, for no reason in particular and now the old ghost is back.

A parable is coming to my mind which I heard from my friend D. It went like this, once Prophet Mohammed was walking through a dessert when he saw a snake dying. He picked up the snake and nursed it. As soon as the snake got better it asked Mohammed, why he had taken care of a venomous snake like him. Mohammed replied that it was in his nature to take care for any ailing life. Then the snake replied that as it was Mohammed's nature to take care of all living beings, the snake's nature was to bite anything that touched it. So, the snake asked the Prophet for permission to follow its nature. The Prophet agreed to it and the snake bit Him on His hand. The Prophet then sucked the blood out from there and spit it out on the ground. From that spit a plant grew which was the tobacco plant, and thus the tobacco has the venom of a snake and the soothing charm of Prophet.

Every time I pick up a fag, the first few drags are so wonderful, refreshing but after a while it gets boring. The smoke starts tasting bitter and then gradually the fire starts dying down leaving the last few puffs. Which is when I oddly realize that my companion is leaving me, maybe a little too early. I try to hold on to it a little longer and take the last puff, inhaling the smoke and holding my breath for those few seconds, bidding adieu until I lit my next one.

It rained.

It rained tonight.

The relief was overwhelming from the stifling summer night's heat. The signs were quite clear from the evening. The air was still, everything gloomy and the sky a shade of dark purple-orange. Slowly the clouds overcasted the stars and the slice of moon. The anticipation was building up for the climax of experiencing monsoon's first showers.

I love the monsoon and I mean I really love the monsoon with all its varied forms of drizzle, thunderstorms and every other form of precipitation. Gradually the sparks started flying in the clouds. The power went off, maybe to compliment the approaching spectacle. The dazzling white lightning streaked across the blue illuminating it with the most brilliant display of fireworks imaginable. And the rumble of the thunder that followed, ohh ho ho, the deep sonorous sound vibrating the earth with the occasional sharp crackling. The lightning and thunder, the best light-and-sound show that can be enjoyed. The wind gave them perfect company by rushing in the cool smell of the approaching showers. Suddenly everything was calm signaling the start of the show. The stage was set for the grand entry, and then it happened.

First, the big fat drops started making way like the jugglers heading a huge carnival. They started releasing that intoxicating earthy smell from the parched ground. The sweet smell of the arid earth getting soaked. The pattering of the droplets gradually turning to a torrential downpour. The deluge gained momentum with every gust of wind. I couldn't hold any longer and drenched myself underneath the outburst. The cold drops were stinging my face and bare torso, but it was so refreshing that I stood there hypnotized. The water streaming from head to toe stimulating every cell. The downpour gradually subsided to a drizzle and the wind slowing down to a cool breeze. Monsoon's first shower was leaving the stage for the coming spectacles of the season.

Wishing everybody a very wet and refreshing monsoon.

Summer of '07 Travelog.... 1

Have been very busy traveling a lot of places once my darned exams were over.

The first destination was Thanjavur, where my friend Karthick lives. He invited me to visit his place and the vagabond that I am, how could i refuse that one. So went to his place which is a very ancient town comprising of a lot of archaic temples and a very old library. The grandeur of architecture of the temples and the palace was just amazing. The old library has some of the rarest palm-manuscripts and books in its collection, but it was really sad to see the dilapidated condition of these national literary treasures. From Thanjore went to Vellangini, which has the twin claim-to-fame of having the most revered catholic church in India and the place which was worst affected by the Tsunami. We guys spent more time in the beach there then in the church.

Back to Chennai.

The next pit stop was the Maximum city --- Mumbai. The city of dreams, wealth, glitz and glamour and where the word global-village finds its true meaning. This time it was the get together of we 4 school friends after a long interval of 4 years. The trip was spicy, exciting and eventful. We had a blast during that time. The sojourn was over even before we could settle down the excitement of being together after such a long period. Anyway as every good thing comes to an end we were filled with the anticipation of our next rendezvous.

Halt in Chennai for 1 night..

End of part I...