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After what felt like an eternity of El Niño here in the tropics, the arrival of La Niña is now approaching its way. Because we are still eclipsing into this phenomenon, a sign of rain here and there is a good thing to ease the heat and humidity. A few decades back, it wasn't as hot and as wet as it was then compared to now. Despite the bearable heat of the setting sun and the customary storms we experience then, it was - I would say for someone raised in this clime - fairly normal and nothing out of the ordinary. Now rain has finally came and paid this side of the world a visit. It's about to get cozy and nostalgic.

Today is a Thursday and in the spirit of all things throwback, I would like to reset my calendar back to the 1990s. There I was, my usual skinny pre-teen self, noticing the looming dark clouds bearing promise of a downpour. Along with neighbourhood kids in tow, after wrapping up a smorgasbord of  playground games, we decided to meet up a little later as soon as the rain descends upon us. It was, in one way or another, an extension of more fun in the works. The mission - go out and play in the rain.

So we all headed home to rummage through the day-old laundry basket to change into our 'rain clothes'. With no specific time in mind, those who were done and ready would just roam around the neighbourhood knocking on houses to fetch us kids personally until such time that our numbers grow from three to seven or more kids. Back then, there was no such thing as extreme flooding, it was just a steady downpour and the rain was at its purest form of water. It smelled good and dammit, it was delicious.

Because the entire neighbourhood compound was directly facing an open field, we would all go and play out in the open. A host of games would be enjoyed all together, chasing everyone, laughing with each other and talking about anything. It was that time in my childhood among other things that I felt we were at our free-est. It was timeless and magical.

The pitter patter of the rain on the ground, on our skin, in our faces was amazing. The drizzling sound of the million countless raindrops was comforting. The sight of slim, almost unbreakable traces of pouring rain near and far was mesmerizing. We owned that moment. I did too.

And so today, on a Thursday, I am reminded once more of that time with the sound of the rain against my window. I am reminded just as well with the thought running through my head, "When was the last time you enjoyed the rain?"

Silently, I say to myself, "Today, today, today."



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Photo: @cjcanonigo