At root level..

It was pouring that day... And i mean really pouring...
The rains came after a long period of sweltering heat so the relief was clear on the faces of people..I was out with friends...Friends i've known for quite a period of time...Unfortunately our meeting place was pretty far from my house and this was a regular problem..
I lived in the suburbs...so going back home was always the longer route!!:(
Anyway, It was pouring and the wind was gusty...people had taken refuge under the gigantic structure of the flyover that accentuated the urbanity of our city..
I on the other hand was carring an umbrella...this object however was a superficial element...
it gave u the satisfaction of protection from rain and heat...but in reality was just an abstract satisfaction to the mind!!
Although my umbrella was open (and flying!) i was drenched from head to toe!!

Standing alone in a place at 6:30pm which is generally crowded even at 11pm made the situation even odder and weird!! Not a single bus or taxi was in sight...
However, an auto (a three wheeler, considered a nuisance by the car owners of the city) was in sight...i ran to it to discover that fate had been kind enough to save me a seat in it!My journey started..It is interesting to note that when 4-5 strangers come together in a state of 'emergency' or 'calamity'...we just develop a bond...
We were all wet and happily petrified of the downpour...asking each other the time, discussing the condition of roads in the city and the dubious result of the forthcoming elections were all a part of our conversation...
For 20 mins it was as though people in that auto were familiar with each other for ages...
I don't know whether this happens else where or not...but this is one reason why Kolkata will always reamin close to my heart...The unity of roots and the familiar language...No matter what condition you are in...company is always available in this city...
:)