Shailaja’s mind was in turmoil. The flash floods caused by the cloudburst had been so sudden. It was almost midnight and Rahul who usually returned home around seven had still not shown up. All sorts of unwanted thoughts crept in making her more and more tense. Suddenly she spotted a young man in a red t-shirt waving from a distance. She crinkled her eyes to have a clearer vision. Yes! It was her son Rahul! Her lips curved tremulously into a smile as tears of relief crept down her cheeks.