Nupur looked out of the cab window at the passing country side . the winding road snaked thru hill so green it almost overwhelmed her. the hill was dotted with wild flowers growing in abundance. the sky was boiling with gray clouds that could let go any moment.
Nupur was a feature writer who had articles on varied subjects to her credit.She did not follow the trend of writing on the "in " things,but what ever she wrote on became the topic of conversation.
She was currently on a break ,going to place her friend suggested ,in the part of country she never visited before. she badly needed a break from her hectic schedule. her friend suggested her maasi's place . Her friend Mona was going to join her soon.
" how much more time to reach the Oakwood estate??" she asked the cab-driver. "another half an hour madam, its on other side of this hill." he replied. So Nupur settled down to watch the scenery. as they came down the hill a picturesque sight greeted Nupur ,a small waterfall ,fell in a pool of water .* any photographer worth his salt would love to capture it* thought Nupur, smiling at the beauty *will walk this way later.* it should have been teeming with tourists but strangely it was'nt. Nupur asked her cab driver about it." this is private property madam ,so tourists are not allowed here ." he replied.
with in another 20 mins the cab was entering a drive way of a mansion surrounded with big trees , there was a sprawling lawn flanking the drive way. flowering & ornamental shrubs completed the land scape. Nupur paid the cab driver, who took out all her luggage from the trunk of the cab.
An old man hurried out of the mansion saying "welcome bitiya!!! please come ,i will deal with your luggage."
Nupur entered a huge hall which was tastefully decorated . a fireplace dominated the hall, while a staircase started in the farther corner. as Nupur looked at the staircase she felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck, a sense of deja vu overwhelmed her. she stood rooted to the spot.
" oh !!! you are here ,welcome !!!! " said a voice & Nupur turned towards it,she saw a graceful lady walking in from the adjoining room ,she was dressed in a crisp cotton saree. " hello ,Nupur beta !!!" said the lady ,hugging her warmly ,"i am Shilpa Sharma,Mona's maasi. i hope your trip over here was comfortable."
Nupur returned her hug & said smiling at her hostess," yes ,it was. thanks for having me Aunty!!"
" come ,i will show you to your room,you freshen up . i will send up your tea or if you want you can join me here." said Shipa.
Shilpa took Nupur upstairs to a beautifully decorated room, while climbing up Nupur could not shake the feeling that she had seen these stairs some where . As they turned on the landing a seascape was hung on the wall. the sea in the painting was churning ,its waves looked furious. It was a very moody painting depicting the frustration ,anger of its painter. Again Nupur felt she had seen this. she looked at bottom right corner for the painter's name it was signed simply M.
Shilpa saw Nupur was looking at the painting intently, she said,
"this is my son Mayank's work." Nupur replied ," oh !!! he is very talented .
i can feel the fury of the sea just looking at this." " yes he is !!! he is the best son a mother could ask for ." replied Shilpa fondly.
Nupur looked around the room she was given it was a spacious airy room,
with huge windows that provided ample light to the room. the room opened to a balcony which over looked the gardens. Nupur stood on the balcony & sighed deeply. * here i am . * she thought * i hope this reprieve will provide me with time to sort out a lot of things*
Deep in her thoughts she looked at the horizon without actually seeing it ,totally unaware that some one was watching her intently.
Financial markets and global economy
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
