Early summer rain

I still clearly remember one such afternoon, when the first summer rain visited the mountain town, bringing with it a very strange feeling, both familiar and melancholic.

The weather in Pleiku during the transitional seasons seems to hold a lingering charm; the mornings are sunny and dry, while in the afternoons clouds embrace the mountain peaks. Then, one day, amidst the familiar chill, the clouds thicken, the wind changes direction, and the pungent smell of red basalt soil suddenly intensifies. That's when the rain comes, the first rain after many months of dryness, awakening a whole region of memories.

The rain in Pleiku comes unexpectedly, but not hastily. At first, it falls drop by drop onto the tin roof, gently, like an old friend softly knocking on the door. Then, suddenly, the whole sky seems to burst open, water pouring down, mingling with the sound of the wind and the rustling of pine needles on the high hills.

The red dirt road was dotted with puddles. Children cheered with delight, running barefoot in the rain, regardless of their muddy clothes. Adults huddled on porches, sipping hot coffee, their gazes drifting out at the waterlogged sky, lost in thought.

I love watching the rain through the old wooden window in my parents' house from years ago. The smell of rain mixed with the aroma of coffee, freshly cooked rice, and dried cinnamon bark in the kitchen corner—all create unique shades in the flow of my memories.

Amidst the gentle drizzle, I listened to my grandmother recount stories of the past, heard my mother's voice calling from the kitchen, and heard the quiet murmur of my own heart nurturing a longing difficult to put into words.

I remember those rainy afternoons when my sister and I would go together to cut the sesame grass along the edge of the coffee plantation on the farm. I remember the days when the two of us rode our old bicycle into the village to ask for banana trees to feed the pigs. We were both soaked to the bone, but we were overjoyed when we found some tender wild grass or when the homeowner gave us a few ripe bananas…

The first summer rain in Pleiku is not just a weather sign; for me, it's a gentle slice of time. The rain brings about a transformation in nature, awakening weary souls after days of scorching heat and dryness. It offers a feeling of slowing down, relaxing, sitting down, and listening to oneself.

It's no exaggeration to say that Pleiku truly knows how to please people; even the weather seems to adapt to the rhythm of human life, guiding each other through the scorching hot days.

If it was hot and humid the day before, the next day it will be pleasantly mild; even in early summer, you still need to wear a light sweater when going out, and sometimes you still need a thin blanket to sleep under.

This summer, I'm once again looking forward to the first rains of the season. For me, the first rains of summer still evoke a very special feeling, along with unspoken stories filled with love.