Shade Of Life

Sitting adjacent to her window pane, a women Surbhi in her early 60's, observes a sari seller alluring a bunch of middle aged women with the latest collection of sarees.

One such saree which he displays by placing on his shoulder, makes surbhi break into a reverie.

She is sitting in front of a mirror and her husband wraps a similar saree on her shoulders. "Ah you still take my breath away. Nothing has changed yet between us" the husband whispered. "Yes, not even your habit of giving surprises" Surbhi retorted. Suddenly there is noise of door being opened.

Surbhi breaks out from her reverie. On hearing the call for lunch from her daughter in law, Surbhi rushes towards the washroom to clean her moist eyes. 

While washing her face, she realises that her daughter in law forgot her cosmetic box there. Surbhi takes out a red shade lipstick and makes a small round circle and lip mark on the mirror.

She than places her forehead and the lips under the marked symbols.

A warm smile gets amalgamated with her teary eyes before she finally breakdowns.

Once she returns to her room after lunch, she finds the same saree sold by the vendor, lying on the bed with a note. The note stated 'My love for you can never be colourless. So bring out your true colour'. 

Surbhi recognises that it was her daughter in law's writing. A sense of warmth and pride engulfs her soul.