Must Read: Rain (A Story By Gracile) - Season 1 - Episode 1

6 years ago

Must Read: Rain (A Story By Gracile) - Season 1 - Episode 1

Heavy torrents of rain landed majestically upon the small village sandwiched among mountains and hills that threatened to clap together with each rumble of thunder. The night was dark and eerie with no living thing in sight, as they had all sauntered off for shelter. Somewhere distant, a shrill cry tore into the atmosphere. It was a deep wail, a voice of one in agony.

‘One last push, do it!’ shouted the woman bending forward on her knees. ‘Almost there.’

Sweating profusely now, Salome tightened her fists and writhe her face as she sq££zed another groan through gritted teeth and slumped back on the bed.

‘Get me a bowl of water, quick. Her temperature is rising!’ An older woman (Salome’s mother) pointed sharply.

A younger woman rushed out and came back with a bowl containing water. She then removed her head gear and handed it to Salome’s mother.

Salome opened her droopy eyes as soon as the cold water made contact with her skin.

‘It’s crowning!’ exclaimed the woman, bending between Salome’s thighs. ‘One last push , will do’.

‘I’m tired ‘Salome muttered slurring her words.

Her mother only nodded with pleading eyes and held her hands.

Salome caught it firmly in a tight grip and made a loud, deep groan jerking her upper body forward simultaneously. Her veins were popping out, glistened with sweat and shining like the moon from the reflection of the lightening casted upon it. For a fleeting second she looked like the plain statue of a pained goddess! She caught a sharp breath and fell back onto the bed. It was her last.

The woman withdrew her head from between Salome’s thighs with a baby and blood smeared on her arms.

‘It’s a girl.’ She declared grinning.

Salome’s mother remained listless as she fixed her eyes upon the body sprawled on the bed.
The woman dropped the baby on her laps saying ‘He gives and takes’ then she shook her head and closed Salome’s lifeless eyes.

Salome’s mother stood up with the child in her hands and made towards the door.

‘Where are you going? It’s raining cats and dogs out there.

But she ignored her and continued moving, with vacant eyes as she went out into the heavy downpour.
She then lifted the crying baby, amidst thunderstorms and began:

Gods of our fathers!
Thank you for this blessing
The rain you held back for years
You’ve chosen tonight to give to us
A night marred with curse and blessings
Drenched in joy and anguish
With tears and laughter
Arise and pour your blessings upon her
Like this incessant drops of rain
Shower her in wisdom and might
And like the voice of the thunder
Let her greatness echo all over the world
And may she shine like the lightning
Upon the face of the earth

She drew the child closer, and whispered, ‘today child, I call you Rain.’