Twelve Drops

I downed a glass of buttermilk to cool my insides since the day's power disappeared with the "poppop!" of the transmission box at the foot of our block. Giant sweat circles lined the armpits of my gold and beige embroidered, saffron-colored dress, serving as a testament to the days heat, which was far too unworldly to describe here with mere words. We were all nearly crowned victims of the devilish heat when the first of the clouds came, immediately rousing life within me. I walked out to our front porch and standing on the marble steps, I looked up at the darkening, normally cloudless sky, and smelt the dusty perfumes of the earth.

The wind began to stir. Dogs, pairing up, were walking excitedly down the street, enjoying the novelty of the moment. A rooster began running nervously in circles, picking up speed as the wind grew stronger. Dust stung my skin with the powerful gusts the wind threw my way. I held my eyes closed tight and felt the light pain biting at my exposed arms and face. A blue tarp tied tightly to the wood and rope structure from the construction site across the street was being viciously sucked in by the brick building before being forcefully blow out; it's sharp plastic sounds filling the street and once entering my ear canal, sent a trickling sensation
down my spine that lunged my body forward. Sparrows were flying from their trees, and the trash was shooting through the air. The doors of all the houses on the block were slamming shut, their echoes filling the street.

Then suddenly, as if some mystical creature flicked a switch and the heavens vacuumed up all movement in the universe, a gush of absolute stillness filled the air. Afraid to breathe I stood perfectly still, the aunt below me even pausing in their wonder. The steady thump-thump-thumping of my heart was the only motional rebel known to my senses. Then mother earth's little helper flicked the switch on again, and as suddenly as it left, the winds came blasting through the Indian terrain as the sky's thunder roared in its regal manner.

I ran up to the balcony to get a better view. Everyone paused to watch the day. The construction workers in their rolled up pants and rags tied around their heads stood with their young babes in their arms, their tools forgotten at their feet. Women left their dish washing and walked to the street's black and white striped curb. Young school boys resembling little men in their tidy uniforms with their white shirts tucked neatly into their khaki shorts and their tie hanging proudly from their neck stared wide eyed. Everyone stood in their wonder, embracing the sanctity of the earth's powerful motions.

Twelve of the most cherished rain drops fell on my arms before the clouds passed and the people, one-by-one, returned to their day's doings. I sat down in the door way, hidden from the street so that I could let my hair hang down. I combed my fingers through my golden locks while I listened to the rumblings of the sky.