Saturday, January 12, 2013

On that Rainy Day

Before I could realize its raining, I was drenched; it was a cloudburst of sorts! Steered the bike to the closest shelter; not that shelter mattered by then..but couldn't really continue the ride. It was a house by the side of the road that had space enough to accommodate me for shelter. While wiping my eyes I heard a squeak and realized there was this 8-9 month old dog (seemingly a pet) tied with a rope that was so small that didn't allow the dog more than 3 steps and could barely sit. Thought it was very rude of who tied the dog in such a manner. By then the wind grew stronger and could see the rain drops falling in a disciplined tilt, unfortunately into the shelter! I did manage to squeeze myself deeper into the pavement, 2 inches to be precise! But the doggy couldn't manage it, thanks to the small rope. His squeaks grew louder; felt very sorry him looking into his beady eyes.
Neither could I feel  rain slowing down nor did I have any hope of the owner coming and taking the doggy in. Looked at the doggy yet again and this time couldn't really control and rang the bell. After repeated attempts, one lady came out, apparently very upset with me.
Very soon I realized language barrier would hit me. Hence, pointed at the dog, then the rope, then the rain and the dog again! She gave me an expression which said- "I kind of understood what you said, but SO WHHAT?" She also said something which I am guessing meant the same.
I started insisting her that she take the dog in; not sure if she understood me; but was visibly disgusted! I looked at the dog again and he seemed all the more confused and by now his whiskers and eyebrows had droplets over them. Got talking to the lady again and by now she wanted to get rid of me more than the dog i guess! With a "cut the crap" look on her face, she untied the dog; got inside the house; not allowing the dog in!
So the dog and I were now both having 2inches of pavement to share; I was somehow happy in his company and he also was not skeptical about my presence by now. The wind had fizzed out, so had the rain. Drizzle was on; but I could now continue my ride.
Wiped the seat of my bike; and the dog kind of got alerted by some unexpected and abrupt actions of mine. I looked for one last time at the dog; smiled and prayed for him and got back on the road.
Into the rear view, I looked for traffic and could not believe what I saw..the dog was chasing me on the road and I was awestruck.
Parked my bike and waved out to the dog to return; but it won't listen, it kept running towards me. I had to be louder, sterner and insisted that it returns. The dog kind of resigned and slowed down; I kept waving, suggesting him to go back.
He got the point, turned around and so did I. Sat on my bike and readied to proceed. With a smile on, I again looked into the rear view wanting to see the dog find a better place;
I so wish I had not given the last glace; a zooming car couldn't really notice the small dog trough the foggy glass. I remember that as the loudest and most painful scream of my life.