Indian summer

What is it about the summer that makes us break out in a sweat? every one has an opinion ranging from "Thank God its not winter" to "I hate this f-----g heat".For me though summer is a mixed bag.I hate the humidity and the stickiness and would much rather freeze my butt off in New York.But not being able to do that frequently,I look for solace and succor in memories and the small mercies that summer sometimes brings.I remember well the lung busting football games in school during the hot months and drenched in sweat, the feel of a leathery tongue on palate at the end of a game,I would go to Pintos tuck shop and gasp out an entreaty for a bottle of lemonade.This was made by a local company called Frams( Framjees),in thick unattractive bottles.But it was chilled,nay frozen, under thick chunks of ice and had a taste which after a game could be likened to Ambrosia.The harsh,gassy ice cold liquid would be gulped down and every drop would be absorbed immediatly by the bodys thirsting molecules.Inevitably a second bottle would be savoured ...a bit slower though.Oh yes,lest I forget, each bottle cost 25paise!!! For the same price if I was so inclined,I could have a glorious mango ice fruit from Manjis flask.So good in the heat.And in case I was short of funds,I could have a flavoured strawberry ice fruit,which was nothing but finely crushed ice and flavor on a stick at half the price.Those tastes will remain as memories of summer.
For those who have not experienced water shortages,I cannot explain the joy of a copious cold shower in the heat.Victory Hotel was notoriously short of water and all of us tried to squeeze in baths and showers when there was running water which was for only a very short period everyday.Sometimes when I felt grungy and like the Incredible Heap didnt dare raise my arms over my head for too long,there would be a war cry..."Waters come!!!!".it was akin to the cry of the Israelites finding a spring in the desert.Inevitably there would be rush for the bathroom.At such times Sebastian in a magnanimous gesture would invite us to use his bathroom in the ground floor.Oh bliss,oh blessed water of life.The shower would be enjoyed and the grime and heat of yesterday sloughed off.Oh yes I must mention in an aside that Sebastians bathroom had one problem...Annie, his 5 year old daughter who was an inveterate voyeur.The bathroom door had small cracks about 2 feet off the floor,and if one looked closely during the shower,one could spot a beady eye watching in rapt facination.Not the best thing to happen during ones ablutions.A shout would drive her away,but inevitably after a few minutes the watcher would be back.She was an ugly little girl with a round face and in Sams words"cunning eyes".I never figured out her facination for looking at soapy,wet naked men.Maybe the fetish stayed with her into adulthood.But I never let that spoil the pleasure of the shower.Afterwards,feeling so human and fresh it was time to light up a well deserved cigarette.Amazing,the simple pleasures one can enjoy Annie or no Annie.