THE MOANS-SOON.

The Guptas' had recently moved into their posh sea facing apartment, paying an unheard of price for their abode. You could see the great Arabian sea with the small boats and steamers from the balcony while sipping hot mugs of tea with a crisp newspaper in your hands. Of course, Danish cookies and muffins would grace the tea table. The rains started and their joys knew no bound. The south western breeze would blow into their faces and spray them with the mist. They enjoyed the foamy sea and thanked their stars for such a lovely view. During evenings, the male members of the family would sit in the balcony with their finest scotch and marvel at the changing patterns and colours of the sea waves with the sunset.Their alcohol consumption would increase in view of the pleasant atmosphere. They felt on top of the world after a few pegs down their gullet.
They loved the rains.
The guptas were distant cousins of this illustrious family and resided in a small shanty slum, not very far from them. However, in view of the class divide, were seldom entertained by the rich cousins. They fought their battles alone. Their slum had a nullah running nearby carrying all the effluents out to the sea. The nullah was a fertile pad for the teeming reptiles and invertebrates. Overfed rats used to roam in and out of their house without any fear. The rains brought out their worst fears every year without fail. The leaky roof would shudder by the onslaught of the thundering rain. The roof was of asbestos and would anytime give away exposing them to the nature's fury. The tar, used to buttress the roof saved them the blushes this year but a new roof would be needed soon. This year, the rains wreaked havoc and pretty soon, their house was deluged with the rain water gushing remorselessly destroying their few belongings. The family huddled on their only creaky bed for two days before the water receded. Next day, they cleaned up all the silt and resumed their not so normal lives. The emaciated kids would fall sick again.
They hated the rains.
God heard their moans-soon.
The bright sun started emerging behind the dark clouds.