For me, the rainy season has always been a beautiful time because it arrived along with the reopening of schools. The first rain was not just about the weather; it was the scent of new books, fresh notebooks, and the excitement of a new academic year.
Soon after, the season would reveal its true character with strong winds, thunder, and lightning. When school reopened, heavy rain and gusty winds were common. Holidays were rarely declared. We crossed overflowing streams, waterlogged paths, and large puddles to reach school. It was not easy, but it was part of life.
Even in the evenings, when rain poured as we returned home, we walked together. Along the roadside, we would pick and eat mangoes and other seasonal fruits. The simple joy of making paper boats and watching them float away in the rainwater remains one of my fondest memories.
The rainy season also meant special moments at home. Those who have tasted hot dosas prepared by their mother on a rainy day will understand that unique happiness. Roasted cashew nuts, jackfruit seeds, and happala added warmth and flavour to the season. These are memories that can never be forgotten.
Back then, the monsoon did not bring the kind of disasters we witness today. The rains were something we eagerly awaited. Today, however, the rainy season often brings fear and uncertainty. The joy we experienced in the 1990s seems difficult to find now. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to those days and relive those moments.
My parents worked hard and would buy us umbrellas for the rainy season. Holding that umbrella and walking in the rain made me feel like a queen. Though it was a small thing, it brought immense happiness. Those simple gifts and experiences carried a value that is difficult to describe today.
Perhaps that is why the monsoon still lives in my heart. The rain, the friendships, the school days, the food, and the love of family made it a season of pure happiness. While times have changed, those memories continue to walk with me every time it rains.
Priya Pradeep Poojary, Udupi