Reflection

An empty house, dense cobwebs hanging from the ceilings, a discomforting odour... shambled furniture ...I was in the midst of all this.

I,Srija Santra, a student of 12th standard of a reputed School had come to Chandipur along with my parents to celebrate the new year. This dilapidated house that stood like a magnetic monster just behind our hotel had attracted my curiosity since the moment I beheld it. As none of my family members seemed interested to explore it,I sneaked into it now when everyone was busy enjoying their siesta.

And here I am now in the rubles unable to figure out what to do once I have entered this deserted Villa. I gradually proceeded towards the staircase adorned with engraved wooden railings.As I climbed up I could feel some of the stairs shaking beneath ... could it collapse under my weight!?As I reached Ithe landing a White owlet whizzed past me,..I was too shocked to click it. Suspiciously I continued my journey and started peeping through  through the rooms.Almost all of them looked alike with the king size bed , hanging chandeliers , crafted table -chair and odd bits of antique furniture.
                         I halted ,before one of the rooms, in addition to the mentioned antiques it seemed to have a dressing table. I advanced towards it and stumbled upon something soft and furry. It mewed and ran away, I continued to advance towards the dressing table. It was a grand dressing table made of pure mahogany wood with intricate designs.As I rubbed off the layer of dust gathered on it with my handkerchief I could still view its grandeur.The mirror was all covered with cobwebs..I discerned something of a kind of stick and waved off the web as best as I could.Then I faced the mirror.It had a golden frame and oval shape.The frame was well carved with Indian designe and the glass regained its lustre after a brief dusting.It had the clarity of a Belgian glass.Fascinated by its beauty I wanted to ask it the age old question , Mirror, mirror on the Wall...and had full hope of it responding to any question I asked.The mirror seemed to be so alive! As I looked into it..what did I see or rather whom did  I see!!?

            An old lady of about 80 years old, wrinkled face , pursed lips but a pair of dark expressive eyes behind thick lens.The figure was  of a lady wearing a traditional dhakai saree and looking with pleasure at me.She seemed known to me..so familiar,her lips,her eyes,the suppressed smile on her lips was so familiar to me .so  very much like me.. infact the lady was me!!! My older version!I was thunderstruck...In search of adventure had I made a tryst with my future!? I pinched myself.Uhh! It hurt,that means I wasn't deaming.It was all true.I couldn't take it any further.I began to feel dizzy,I am losing my conscience..thud! I fall unconscious.