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"Argh!" screamed my friend as the water balloon hit her full in the
face. She stood in shock for a moment before charging after me,
laughing and yelling out threats.
We were at our annual class party and having the time of our lives.
This year, we had decided on the picnic at the beach. After eating, we
had all sorts of games and competitions. I could not remember when I
had last enjoyed myself so much.
However, all good things must come to an end, and as it neared
evening, we started preparing to leave. I was supposed to walk the
short distance to my aunt's house after the party. About halfway there,
I remembered that I had left a T-shirt on the beach. I debated whether
or not to return for it as I could see dark clouds heading my way.
However, the shirt was an old favorite of mine and I was so wet from
the water balloons that a little more water would not make a difference.
The beach was now deserted. I looked around for my T-shirt but it
was nowhere to be found. Finally, after minutes of fruitless search, I
gave up. The sky was dark, with thick thunderclouds and it had begun
to drizzle. I started heading back.
Then, suddenly, with a loud crash of thunder, the heavens burst
and torrents of rain came pouring down. Holding my backpack over my
head in an effort to ward off the relentless blows of the rain, I scanned
the area for a place of refuge.
Finally spotting a tiny shack at a distance, I dashed for it. I reached
it at last and darted in, drenched to the bone and shivering from head
to toe. As I shook out my hair, I mentally kicked myself for getting into
this situation.
Wondering when the rain would stop, I stared out at it, dejectedly.
As I gazed, however, my feelings of dejection turned into awe. The
black clouds hung low. The sea was turbulent, with powerful waves
crashing onto the shore. On the left, where jagged boulders stood in
the sea, the waves threw themselves on them, sending up sprays of sea
water high into the air. Gust after gust of howling wind blew through
the trees. Lightning streaked across the sky, time and again, lighting up
the whole scene for a split second each time.
I stood transfixed, captivated by the power and violence of the
storm. It was beautiful, scary and magnificent at the same time. I felt I
had to be part of it, to be at one with nature.
I ran out and stood in the middle of the storm, reveling in the
stinging rain and chilling wind, thrilling to the sounds of the thunder
and the crashing waves, and relishing the magnificence of nature. |
