Taming of the Shrews

Yesterday’s rains had brought the temperature down, and the security guard and his family who had a small room a little distance away from our apartments were still sleeping on their string cots. Some snores even reached me as I plodded on   the road. His wife who worked in nearly eight apartments in our colony, and had worked for a month, in our house too, had got up. On seeing me, she smiled. I could still see two figures sleeping on two cots.

“My mother-in-law has come from Jharkhand.” She had read the question hovering on my lips, and had come near me to whisper this information to me.
“She is a shrew,” she added with a grimace, looking furtively behind her at the sleeping lioness.
“Oh!”
“A wasp, you know!”
“If I be waspish, best beware my sting.” I heard an echo. I could see the figure on the bed moving.
Before the shrew could unleash her wrath on me and sting me, I scampered away from the scene.

There was a knot of people near a lamppost, involved in animated chatter.
“Many cars were damaged in yesterday’s heavy rains,” said one, looking absolutely rueful.
“There were hardly any rains here in Jagatpura, but there were heavy rains in Chandpole Bazaar, and many trees fell causing a lot of damage. I had a tough time driving to Chandi ki Taksaal. The roads were water-logged, some roads had sunk in and the repair work had caused a traffic jam,” said a chubby cheeked man, who had a very pleasant face, but covered with unpleasant bristles.

“You know, I go to office on my scooter. I took off my shirt half way, afraid that the dirty water of the puddles might splash all over me. People must have wondered at my half-naked state. And then, near the office, I wore my shirt,” he said, laughing in self-congratulatory mirth.
“Alas, the tantrums of the weather god!” All of them lamented in unison.

“Sometimes this, sometimes that! Some days back, I had prickly heat all over.” A scallywag of a man, remarked, scratching his back vigorously.
“Yes, it was so sultry and humid. Hope this rain brings some relief,” another said, wiping sweat from his brow.
“These days, not a moment can one spend without the air-conditioner.”
“Yes, and there was a time, we could make do without a cooler.”

Morning Meanderings by Dr Santosh Bakaya

The conversation was still full throttle, as I walked a little further. The young couple was happy that last night they had kept the firewood inside, and today they had no problem igniting the sigri, where something was already cooking.

The rumbling of a plane and the rumbling of clouds merged to create a bizarre tune, and I looked up to find the sky suddenly covered with huge, dark clouds. The plane could not be seen, only a disembodied rumbling fell into my ears.

One sinister looking cloud laughed a nasty, spiteful laugh, “Wait, I will show them.” And soon, it started to rain.

The happy-turned-unhappy couple dashed inside with their cooking paraphernalia, and the security guard and his shrewish mother also made a dash for their room, their mattresses on their heads. The shrewish cloud had stolen a march on the shrewish mother-in-law and its thunderous guffaws had become nastier. The daughter-in-law stood looking at her racing mother-in-law, smiling with triumphant malice.

Nature, the great equaliser! I smiled as I scurried home for cover.

(Illustration: Antara)
(Pictures: Pixabay)

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About the Author

Santosh Bakaya ( 174 Posts)

Dr Santosh Bakaya is the author of three mystery novels for young adults, and a book of essays titled Flights From My Terrace, which was recently published as an e-book on Smashwords. Her poetic biography of Mahatma Gandhi, Ballad Of Bapu has been published by Vitasta Publishers, Delhi, India in May 2015 and has been receiving rave reviews from everywhere. Although a Political theorist, with a doctorate in political theory, it is literature which has been her first love. She was awarded the Reuel international award for language and literature 2014 for her long poem Oh Hark!, which forms part of the Significant Anthology. Many of her poems have figured in the highly commended category in Destiny Poets, a UK based website and many are part of international anthologies. Right now, she is giving the final touches to her satirical novel, tentatively titled Sanakpur Shenanigans.
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