Short story
By Vimal Kapoor
The skies were overcast with menacing, monsoon clouds. It was a gloomy day at Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. The sound of thunder reverberated through the air intermittently. Aditi, a vivacious teenage girl stayed with her parents at a crowded colony in the heart of the town. She was lean and athletic with high cheekbones and lustrous wavy black hair that framed her pretty face. With no school to attend on Sunday she went out to get some groceries and stationery. Her mother had warned her about the imminent rain, but she insisted that she would be back in fifteen minutes. Her mother’s anxiety was not misplaced as last week’s heavy downpour flooded the market and one person drowned in a swollen drain.
Aditi found herself amidst the bustling chaos of the local market. With a shopping list in hand, she briskly moved from shop to shop, collecting the necessary groceries, a couple of ball pens, and a thin register for writing notes. Suddenly the raindrops began to fall.
She quickened her pace and almost broke into a light jog, hurrying along in an effort to complete her shopping. Abruptly, the heavens opened up unleashing their fury upon the city. It was apparently a ‘cloudburst’ turning the bustling market into a scene of chaos. People scattered in every direction, seeking shelter from the unexpected deluge. Someone from a shop yelled that water from a nearby swollen river had overflowed into the market.
Aditi, soaked to the bone, stood there in awe, watching as the streets turned into rushing rivers. Panic began to rise within her, realising the hazardous situation. She took a hesitant step forward, hoping to find refuge in a nearby LIC building, but the force of the water was far stronger than she anticipated. The scene was marked by an overpowering sense of water’s dominance, with murky currents snaking through narrow alleyways, transforming the bazaar into a web of liquid pathways. Stray animals, seeking refuge, huddled together on elevated platforms, their eyes reflecting fear and confusion.
Struggling to stay on her feet, Aditi desperately clung to the handle of her grocery bag, her heart pounding in her chest. The gushing water threatened to sweep her away, pulling her towards an uncertain fate. Suddenly there was a rush of big waves that covered her up to her shoulders, she could no longer hold the bag in her aching, slippery hand and released the handle grudgingly. She watched in dismay as all the goods were swept away by a rapid current, swallowed instantly by swirling muddy water. Fear gripped her as she called out for help, but her voice was lost in the clamour of the storm. She was horrified as the level and velocity of the water kept increasing alarmingly. She knew that this was a grave crisis, and she was in danger!
Just as hope seemed to fade, a figure emerged from the chaos. A rugged military personnel, with steadfast determination in his eyes, waded through the waist-high water toward Aditi. With a sturdy arm, he pulled her away from the clutches of the flood and onto a slightly elevated platform.
Breathing heavily, Aditi looked up at her rescuer, her eyes filled with gratitude. She couldn’t believe her luck in finding someone so brave and selfless amidst the chaos. “Thank you,” she managed to mumble, her voice trembling.
The military person wore a grim expression though his gaze was filled with compassion. “It’s my duty to ensure the safety of civilians during such calamities. Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice deep and steady.
Aditi shook her head, “No, I’m okay, just a little shaken. I never expected the rain to turn into such a monster.” He nodded understandingly. “Monsoon is wreaking havoc all over the country. Let me escort you to a safer place until the water recedes. Your safety is my priority.”
Together, they navigated through the treacherous floodwaters, as he guided Aditi with firm strength. They reached a nearby shelter where other stranded people sought refuge. Aditi found solace in the knowledge that she wasn’t alone in this mess.
Over the next few hours, as the rain slowly subsided, Aditi and the military person engaged in heartfelt conversation, exchanging stories amidst the commotion. He told her that he had recently passed out from IMA, Dehradun, which was also his hometown and was now posted in Mandi. As the floodwaters receded, Aditi bid her rescuer farewell, grateful for his courage and compassion.
Aditi returned home that day with more than just her horrific experience. She carried with her a newfound appreciation for the strength of the human spirit and the kindness that exists even in the face of adversity.
(Vimal Kapoor, a Dehradun resident, is passionate about literature, creative writing, cricket and exploration through travel)
