Aahaa Chennai

Through the window, the view draws many pairs of eyes. Their gaze, moves up and down, left to right, trying to count. Outside, the heat is unrelenting. The soil looks worn out. The leaves are drooping, peering down for signs of  moisture. The wilting blossoms lift their heads up, trying to figure out where those bounteous rain clouds have gone. Shh! Don't go away. Someone nearby is ready, putting on a  display. The tall gooseberry tree stands  proud, unmindful of the heat, decked in layers of accessories, swaying gently, rocked by a heat laden breeze, its branches, looking different from the usual, with the soil beneath it, dotted with pale green, flattened rounds, adding to my collection, reminding me of the tangy flavours of the gooseberry spread and the gooseberry soup plus the energizing gooseberry stew of the last season.

Surrounded by high rise apartment blocks, modern villas, bars, multiplexes, restaurants, a nearby highway with constant traffic and honking, piling up garbage heaps, yet a small piece of green can give you a feel of those green swaying fields, lush meadows and pastures that you tend to yearn for.

Considered tasteless, yet it induces... A feeling of fulfillment after a few sips. A feeling of exhilaration, which spreads as waves of freshness, across your body system. A 'just what I need' feeling at the very sight of it. A feeling of  intense relief, at holding a cup filled to the brim. A feeling of satisfaction, that remains unparallelled. A feeling of relaxation as the throat gets soothened. A feeling of contentment, as the heat and  hours of thirst induced tiredness melt away, A feeling of 'back to normal,' when you've had your fill. A feeling tied up with tradition plus hospitality, when guests welcome it with a smile. A feeling of thankfulness, for  being able to have it day after day after day. The tune is familiar... a priceless gift, they call it - Water. Water Series:11

Across vast stretches of sand, over a wet blanket of  grass, traversing a nearby pipe, then, down the cemented steps to over a bougainvillea clad wall, atop a twisted branch, beneath a yellow tinged leaf, a journey continues but ends abruptly, inside the shiny floor of a  green bucket, where a  tiny body goes round in circles, then climbs up then slips down, but does not intend giving up, then turns desperate, trying to unravel a puzzle... 'where am I? Where are the leaves and the sand...?' until a gentle hand tilts the bucket over sand and fast moving legs, scamper double quick, eager for that taste of freedom. The journey continues...

Amidst the piles of books, the scores of sample papers, the skill testing MCQs, the setting of study timetables and rigorous schedules, step outside awhile, to view pieces from 'Nature's  Design Portfolio,' for the day. Perched high up or unusually low, red and pink blossoms radiate cheery vibes, couriering packets of reinvigorating pellets to tired brain cells, which are then ready, for the next round of war... for the many many tough questions posed, from an array of topics.