Thunder and lighting rent the sky as the villagers watched with hope gleaming in their parched eyes.
At the first sight of the beautiful raindrops, they rushed out of their homes, filling the air with their joyous voices and their mouths upturned to receive the first showers of the season.
Raina stepped out of the hovel that housed her small family, drawing the flimsy sari across her shaking shoulders, watching the rain come down in welcoming waves.
She had waited eagerly for the rains, so that they could wash away that feeling that she had held in the recesses of her heart.
Her tears mixed with the rain and stroked their way down her cheeks and into the curve of her bosom, just as his pawing hands had done last monthΒ while her parents slept in the other room, unaware that their guest was having his way with their child.

Written for Five Sentence Fiction's Prompt: Rain
Heart wrenching Shailaja ji. You portrayed so many emotions beautifully in these five lines π
-Shanx
Brilliantly conceived and presented!
Thank you very much indeed! Welcome to my blog π
A sad reality. So much said in so few words.
Thank you Jyotsna. Yes and it gets more rampant with each day π
Amazingly worded. You managed to shift the tone quickly and convincingly. Quite powerful.
Thank you very much, Kestril.
I did not like the sadness, but I guess sometimes that is the reality of life. the last lines were very powerful.
Am sure the first spate of rain won’t be able to wash out her pain but at least it would rain some good feelings for the moment. Very nicely written in those few lines…
A stark and horrible reality of so many in this world π
A poignant mix of emotions here, Shailaja. Much is conveyed here in a few words. Hope the rain does wash away some of her pain, but the memory of that horrific experience may still haunt her…what kind of healing will be needed for that? Thoughtful post!
Oh Shailaja… Felt myself sitting smiling sharing their joy for the rain… and then the shock, pain anger.. poor little girl… Greatly written dear:-)
Wish the dark rain bearing clouds carry away her pain and shower relief to her troubled mind. a beautiful write Shailaja.
So much conveyed in so few. Lovely post Shailaja. Makes me wonder whether the rain was actually an expression of the heavens of her plight.
Your story is such a mix of the dark and the light. Very interesting!
If only the rain could wash away that terrible abuse! Very poignant, Shailaja.
Wow! Shailaja…sad, hard reality… You have put the whole story of that girl in one sentence… very unexpected turn…you are an amazing writer.
Contrasting emotions of joy and sorrow/anger, that too all in five lines! The end was heart wrenching and unexpected.
This is just so scary. It’s tragic that kids cannot share such a horrific thing even with their parents and are often left to handle it on their own.
Definitely scary, Tulika. The recent events unfolding in the country are only testament to this scenario:(
Hey Shailaja, this is a very well worded tale. It’s sad that the society has these beasts.
But tragically true, Tina. How the woman in our country must feel, I shudder to think.
It horrifies me and the heart is boiling with anger with vultures looming.
A poetic narration weaved on life’s harsh realities.
Thank you Vishal π
Very nice take on the rain, it is manna from heaven for all of us.
poor girl, feel so helpless.
I like these small prompts. But how will you visit all 40 links on the prompt?
How do you find the time?
Thank you Inderpreet π I try and space it out over the week. Visit five to six at a time, so it does not get too overwhelming. Maybe twice a day.
The first monsoon shower is much awaited and gladly received. The sadness in your post is a reality for many. Nicely depicted.
Yes, Suzy. That really is the cruel irony for many, sadly. With the nation showing this face at every turn, it is saddening.
OMG, Shailaja, your story made me break out in cold sweat! So brilliantly written…wow
Thank you very much, Sulekha <3 So glad that it touched a chord.
Well written Shailaja.
You conveyed a lot in the last few sentences. The pleasure of drizzle and rain completely changed into pain and anger.
Reality can be harsh.
Indeed it can, Swetha. I was trying to contrast how the same rain can give hope for those waiting as well as succour to those who need healing. Thank you for reading!
And you accomplished that beautifully. Very powerful and moving.