The Saturday morning was oddly dim. It was like December season, winter solstice, when the dark was lengthier than the light. Thin rain clouds rolled from the south heralding the coming of rain. The air was heavy with moisture, and the wind was ominously absent. Stillness. That early, I was the only one on the well-developed yet less-used road. I pleaded to the heavens to let me finish my short run before it let go its load. Just a short, quick run. It’s been five days since my last jog and I needed this one, very badly. I started my warm-up walk and droplets of water began pelting the earth. The drops slid off my dry-fit jersey like water slipping on waxy leaves. I raised my hands to test the drips and closed my eyes in resignation. It will be stronger. “Alright! Do your worse, I will not falter on my aim” I defied. I cut short my slow trot and proceeded to my planned pace, hoping to beat the imminent downpour. As if accepting my challenge, the sky sent more drizzles.
After my first kilometer, the rain has become a thin sheath curtain of water. Not heavy but enough to drench my shirt. My running shoes were not built for wet and soon my socks were soaked. The smooth wush, wush sound of the shoes had become a splashing squirt, squirt. I raked my chilled fingers on my hair and cool water slipped down my neck like a clear stream coming down the mountain. My eyes were blurred but to my surprise my vision was clear. The grass and leaves were greener. The trunks of the trees, thick and thin, were glistening. The soil was richer like a fertile land ready for plantation. Everything was coming alive!
The brick wall of a Mediterranean inspired house turned from dull red to bright orange to dazzling red as I went by. An oldwife at its balcony was looking at me in askance. “A childish man running in the rain, he’ll get cold for sure!” she seemed to admonish. I hopped at a break in the pavement and almost slipped on the moss-covered ground. I did not look back at the lady but I can sensed her sniffing “No, a fool about to break his head!”
An unexpected feeling of gladness settled upon me. This has turned into a pleasant and revealing experience. Even the bird sitting on a wire seemed contented. It fluffed its feather to lessen the wetness. I can do that too! I shook my head, spraying water out of my hair. The land has been cleansed and freshness hanged like an early morning bath.
The mighty sun was still hidden but light has prevailed as I finished my laps. The rain trickled slowly until it too was done. The rain clouds moved north and west, perhaps looking for another mortal to bless.
I thank the rain god for accompanying me on this run. It has been a lesson of humility and appreciation. Much has been learned and none regretted.
