The unexpected blessing.

My city has been in the relentless grip of a heatwave since the onset of January. The sun beats down mercilessly during the day, and at night, the absence of wind offers no respite from the oppressive heat. Initially, I thought this suffering was unique to my city, until it became a common topic on social media and I realized the whole nation was going through the same ordeal.

The ongoing heatwave disrupts my sleep routine, making it challenging to go to bed at the usual time due to the uncomfortable warmth. Compounding the discomfort, the electricity company's prolonged power outage has left many dependent on hand fans and frequent nighttime baths for relief. Tempers flared everywhere I turned, and the air resonated with palpable frustration.

As my little one slept peacefully beside me, her neck adorned with heat rashes, a clear sign of her discomfort, I realized I had forgotten to apply the dusting powder—a remedy I use after bathing her. I got up from the bed and reached for the dusting powder in her basket.

I went back to the bed and poured a generous amount of powder on her body. Using my hand, I spread it on her neck and back. While rubbing her back, I overheard my husband grumbling about the heat to himself.

"I'm thankful we have solar power. Even though we sleep with a fan at night, we still complain about the heat. Just think about what people without solar are going through." I mentioned.

"Baby," he affectionately called me, "you're the one enjoying this fan. You and our daughter, because you always position it to blow in your direction alone without oscillating."

An evil grin crept across my face. I acknowledged that the fan should oscillate, but my sleeping position against the warm wall made me reluctant. He usually occupies the outer side of the bed and should be content with the slight breeze from the window. After a brief reconsideration, I unpinned the fan, allowing it to oscillate.

"Does it feel better now?" I inquired as I climbed back onto the bed beside my daughter.

"Yes! I really wish it would rain. This heat is becoming unbearable. The lack of sleep is affecting me, and I still need to wake up early for work," he complained.

I laid on the bed, facing the ceiling, with my hands beneath my head for support. The curtains were firmly secured to their holders, and the wide-open windows permitted the security light outside to cast a gentle glow into the room. The night was pitch dark, with no stars visible in the sky.

Observing the starless sky while contemplating a story for the latest creative nonfiction prompt, a gentle breeze stirred, its cool touch against the skin carrying whispers of the changing weather's mood. As the wind gained strength, nearby leaves rustled, and a sense of anticipation grew within me. The distant echoes of thunder heightened the drama, resonating through the nocturnal stillness. The wind became more pronounced and moved with purpose, rustling through branches and whistling around the corners.

Pixabay

As if nature had heard my husband's cry for help, I heard the rhythmic tapping of the first raindrops. It was like music to my ears. Adjusting myself on the bed, I turned to my side with a smile on my lips as the rain intensified. The scent of petrichor filled the air, and I inhaled it with gratitude for the unexpected relief.

With each passing minute, the room cooled, and the weight of restlessness lifted. I marveled at how swiftly Ben, who had endured numerous nights of discomfort, now slept undisturbed. The scents of damp earth and freshness permeated the air, and a smile graced my face as I observed my baby stirring, seemingly embracing the cooler night.

I sat up on my bed and grabbed my phone, finding inspiration in the rain that not only brought relief from the stifling heat but also sparked ideas for the creative prompt. An hour later, I was done writing. I placed my phone beside my pillow with a mental note to proofread before publishing the next day.

The rain had dwindled to gentle taps on my rooftop, and the wind transformed into a subtle breeze. Lightning flashed in the sky, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daylight. I covered my baby with her blanket and listened to the soothing sound of my husband snoring away. Lying back on the bed, I surrendered myself to the cool embrace of the night, drifting into dreamland.