When Tracy opened her eyes in the morning, she saw it has started raining, and the whole sky looks like evening time, even though it was only 9 am. This was the first rain of the year, and her heart started jumping with joy, knowing that today there will be a gala feast at her house. Every year, Tracy, her brother Ralph, and their parents celebrate the first rain of the year.
She went jumping into the kitchen and saw her mother already up and preparing for the celebration feast. As she sat on the table waiting for her breakfast to arrive, “where is dad?” she asked her mom. “Your dad has gone out to get fresh vegetables and meat for tonight’s dinner.” Answered her mom from the kitchen. The village Tracy stays in is nestled in between lofty mountain ranges and during monsoon, the small village looks like something out of a fairy-tale book.
Tracy went to her brother’s room as they have a very important thing to do. It’s on them that they decorate the house for today and prepare for the grand dinner. She tapped on her 16-year-old brother’s shoulder excitedly. “That hurts Tracy, don’t poke me as that” Ralph said to his 11-year-old baby sister, trying very hard to hide his laugh seeing her excitement. “But mamma said to get the house decorated fast. Before sunset.” Tracy said with a very serious face, which made Ralph burst out in laughter. But his laziness couldn’t match the little girl’s excitement, hence he stood up, shaking off the tiredness. He and his father were very busy last night, as his father David predicted that rain could be coming soon, and preparations for the monsoon should start.
This was Ralph’s first time helping his father out with the monsoon preparations. He and Tracy then started decorating the house with lights and it started feeling like Christmas. Ralph looked out from the windows and sighed in leisure by looking at the sea of mountain ranges. “I wonder when dad will be back.”
Tracy and Ralph’s mother, Maria, was busy in the kitchen since the morning, everything needs to be proper and ready. She is a perfectionist and needs everything to follow a certain rule. She hurriedly made lunch. And started preparing for dinner. Soon her husband will be back with the vegetables and meat. There will be a barbeque tonight, in their backyard, overlooking the mountains.
David was still in the field as the sun started to set, it was almost twilight. There was a worry on his face. He is worried whether he will be able to find everything for tonight’s dinner because he knows Maria won’t settle for anything less than what he promised. Suddenly a loud noise startled him. Some big rocks from the mountain rolled and blocked the way. This road is a deviation from the main highway and is a faster route to reach the backside of the mountain.
This deviation is taken by very less people since the road is forest covered and is not in very good condition. So only individuals seeking some adventure take this road and cross their village. It has rained all day and now it's drizzling. Suddenly a car stopped in front of David, and a young couple stepped out from it. They look distressed. David waved and smiled at them. “Do you guys need some help?” David asked politely. “Hi I am James” introduced the guy “and this is Rosalin, my fiancée” he pointed at the woman.
After talking for a minute David understood, they were going towards the backside of the mountain to Lotus town, but now because of this roadblock, they are unable to go and also they can't turn back since they are out of gas. Suddenly it started raining heavily and they all ran towards a tree. David after thinking something said, “the roadblock will be cleared down by tomorrow afternoon and then I can arrange some gas, but if you guys want you can come with me to my house nearby and spend the night there, my kids and my wife will be glad to host you.”
James and Rosalyn thought for a moment and simultaneously agreed that accepting David’s offer is the only solution for the night since it was raining continuously, and the temperature dropped down a lot. They started walking with David towards his home.
Tracy heard the loud sound of the landslide and was very hopeful this time. Every time during monsoon, landslides happen near their small villages and travelers seldom find themselves alone on the road at night. Maria, Tracy, and Ralph were waiting by the window and as they saw David approaching the house, they became very happy. Tracy with excited eyes saw her dad bringing fresh meat for the monsoon feast, and this time there were two of them. This year the monsoon feast will be very tasty Tracy thought as something very primal moved inside her chest.
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