Free The Monsoon Rain by Joya Victoria

screaming by pushing her fist into her mouth. She rinsed her mouth and then made herself presentable with a slight touch of lipstick and a comb through her tousled hair before managing to totter back to their table. Smiling weakly, she excused herself by saying she was not feeling well. They promised to meet up again, and then Miranda left. It was an abrupt departure, and it left her friend slightly perplexed. Miranda knew very well that another meeting would not take place—not very soon, at least, and maybe not ever, she thought angrily.

3
    “LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, please fasten your seat belts; we are about to land at Calcutta International Airport,” said the brisk and efficient female voice over the intercom.
    Miranda sat up, suddenly jarred back to reality. She had arrived! Feeling tired and awfully excited she waited eagerly for the plane to stop taxiing and for them to disembark. Looking out of the window she could see unending rolling grassland. The sun was shining very bright, and looked extremely hot. Thankfully, Miranda had requested a window seat and got one.
    Retrieving her carry-on baggage from the overhead bin she waited to get off the plane. So this was India, she mused. I am here at last! The last few days had been very hectic, what with visas and shopping and packing. She had never dreamed of flying on such a long trip! It was so expensive, and nobody she knew had flown, except of course Charu, Charles, and Derek. That name again. Why did it always have to rear its ugly head? She had come out here to enjoy herself, to see a bit of the world. And as far as she could gather, her uncle was planning on leaving India very soon, like all the other English planters. They were slowly creeping back to where they belonged.
    Her mum had gone with her to the airport to see her off, and it was a very sentimental parting, which was quite understandable. Mother and daughter had never lived apart. Molly and she both had shed a tear or two. Finally they’d shared one last big hug, and Molly pushed her toward security. Molly waited until she could see herdaughter no more, and after a final wave she was off toward home to put a call through to India to let her sister know that Miranda was on her way!
    The sudden exposure to the afternoon heat caught her unawares and came as a shock. A blast of hot air hit her full in the face as she stepped off the plane. She had arrived at the height of summer. Her aunt and uncle had tried to talk Molly into sending Miranda when the temperatures were milder, but Molly was insistent.
    After clearing customs and immigration, Miranda was finally out. She made her way toward the baggage claim. The only thing left to do was to collect her suitcase, which she had bought especially for this journey. The hall was thronging with people. Thank God it was cool inside; the heat had literally swamped her when she stepped off the plane. Well, she thought, she had better start getting used to it. After all, this would be the norm for the next few months.
    She made her way toward the exit. Her aunt and uncle were there, simply beaming. Her aunt was so much like her mum that for a brief moment Miranda stood still. Was she seeing things? The small, rather dumpy figure, short, and on the heavy side! The same smile too. This was a homecoming! She was quickly smothered in Dolly’s ample bosom. Uncle stood a little apart, tall with a military bearing. His handlebar mustache was his pride and joy. According to family legend, Tom had been in the army and had fought in the Second World War. After being demobilized he had opted to go to Assam with Aunt Dolly in tow.
    He was letting the girls have their sentimental reunion in their own way. Once Miranda was released from Dolly’s clutches, Uncle Tom stepped in with a sober and gentlemanly peck on the cheek, saying how wonderful it was to have her visit them and then leading the way to the car.
    Everything was hot, and everyone looked hot. If the car windows were