DRENCHED

When last did you get in touch with your younger self? When last did you relive an experience from your childhood that you actually enjoyed? How often do you pause the whole “focused, goal-oriented, mature” outlook for a little fun?
Sometimes we all get stuck in the rat race of life and we forget that our lives are products of the events we experience and the memories we store. We need to slow down, to take time out to savor the beauty of nature and the simplicity of natural things which God has created for us. I was reminded to take it easy the last time I went to the Tailor’s.
It was a beautiful afternoon with rather pleasant weather so I decided to make a quick trip to the Tailor’s shop. As I got prepared, it suddenly started to rain. It poured for about 20 minutes and I thought it wise to wait a bit before heading out. This was after stabbing the thought of procrastinating my trip to another day.
Stepping out in a multi-coloured Ankara gown, I walked briskly to save time so I could return to more serious duties. Just before I arrived at the Tailor’s, it started to drizzle again. Fortunately, the shop I entered was a well-covered structure and I gratefully stepped into it.
Immediately I was done with the clothes, I came out to realize that the drizzling had persisted. A little girl was happily stepping in and out of with the “pockets of cocoa” which the rain had created with the bare floor. Her childish excitement caused a small smile to play on my face as I walked on.
Midway into my trip, the rain doubled and then tripled its intensity. I quickened my steps but the higher my determination to beat the rain, the more I lost. Soon, I was completed soaked and I had passed the temporary shelters I knew to be on my route.
Some cars passed by me and I half-hoped one would stop by to offer some help because I knew I looked like a damsel-in-distress. Apparently, this was only my imagination as none stopped, probably because I was a stranger, their cars were too clean or they had “emergencies” to attend to.
Ignoring the common Nigerian mindset, I struggled to see my way home because I could barely keep my eyes open. My eyeglasses were already tucked into the nylon bag I held so I added my leather wristwatch to the loot.
Unfortunately, I could not remove the wig I wore into the nylon bag as well, for obvious reasons – so much for treasures! All of a sudden, I began to realize that I was enjoying walking in the rain. I even caught myself playing with small puddles of rainwater as I kept heading for home. As childish laughter escaped from my lips, I recalled some memories from my childhood.
I remembered how much I looked forward to the rainy season as a child, especially while I was at home. If we were not having some hot meal or cozy sleep, I remember sneaking out into the courtyard to ‘skate’ on the tiled floor, with and without my rubber slippers on. I did this often with my younger brother until we would get caught and ordered back into the house.
I knew the risks of what I was doing - namely falling with an injury or catching a cold – but the fun was still worth it. However, I could not dare do that now, not at this age, not where someone would begin to wonder if this well-dressed lady has some mental disorder and not when I had work to do.
As I was about to unlock the front door, I turned around and saw my neighbour’s beautiful peacock standing elegantly on its owner’s roof. This was not unusual as the large bird had special power to fly several feet to that roof at different times of the day.
What was unusual and even intimidating now was that the peacock stood that way under the heavy rain and faced the direction of the wind as though saying “do your worst!”. Here I was, fully drenched, squeezing the lower part of my dress while shuddering at the rain and there was a bird defying the storm even when it thundered.
I should pick some lessons from this experience which I hope to apply. I admit that I did not prepare adequately for the rain - no umbrella was with me for instance; I had prayed for the rain to stop - before it even became a heavy downpour; and I had even come to enjoy the rain - as I relived childhood - but in some way I was still a coward.
I am not sure how I was a coward or what else I should have done given the circumstances but with each glance at that peacock on the roof, that was my conclusion.
~ Flourish Davidine 🌼
(06-11-2019)
Kindly share your thoughts — flourishdavidine@gmail.com
