Not so New Girl in the City

Hyderabad. Three years ago this name represented nothing more than Charminar and Biryani to me. Three years later, here I am contemplating the mood of this city.

To every outsider Hyderabad is always Biryani, South India and "Hau nako Baatan". Every restaurant in India claims to be making Hyderabadi Biryani, Lemon rice and Guntur Idli is a delicacy even at functions in Malaysia, Angrez has made the Old city lingo a brand and the IIT/AIEEE aspirants will curse Hyderabadi's every year for taking off a chunk of their seats.

Well, I am here to elaborate on none of that.

I will talk instead of Hyderabadi Rains!

As a Mumbaikar, I am used to a healthy (not really) dosage of rains between June-September even if it involves swimming to reach ones destination. Rain has always been an important part of life.

In my first year here, there was no denying the fact that Monsoon was not a favourite season of this city. Sparse showers here and there. June-September passed uneventfully and sometimes with glaring sun! I made peace with the city by listening to "Iktara" on repeat and willing it to rain.

It seems my "Iktara" penance worked! 2010 was the year of Monsoon! It rained all the 12 months bringing out the best of my writing skills and moods.

My luck soon wore out with 2011 and it seemed rain had ditched Hyderabad once again.

Then today, the wind set free and gradually the clouds began to gather in the horizon. I started to hope against hope glancing furtively out of the balcony. I was rewarded well. It drizzled... and soon there was a downpour! Rushing out I let the rain drench me from head to toe bringing back memories of the many rains in Hyderabad.

It was then that it hit me that this might be my last rain in Hyderabad.

It rains everywhere in the world but the best part of Hyderabad's rain lies in its unpredictability. The sense of anticipation that follows the clouding of the sky. The distress that follows if it rains everywhere else except your area. The excitement you feel when there is rain at one end of the road and the other side is stark dry. The triumph you feel when it rains despite rain haters wishing that the clouds would pass. The happiness that engulfs you when after a heated day the rain cools you down.

Where else in the world would friends start a string of text messages if they notice it clouding and probe if it has begun raining in your area? The rare shower will make you reminiscence of love be it reciprocated or unrequited. It is a rare moment when you add "adrak" to your tea after you have finished enjoying the rain.

Rain in Hyderabad is an event. Everyone is aware of it. It is not a regularity... It is a novelty!

A Mystery!

That makes Hyderabad Rains special.

And I will miss them.

P:S- If it is still raining in your area. Don't miss out. Get drenched. Rains are beautiful and Hyderabad's.... even more so!