It has been one week since we moved into our new house. The impersonal looking walls have started to look somewhat familiar now. As we put up freshly painted, mint colored shelves on the walls of the children’s play room, I visualize various stuffed toys sitting upon them. This corner for my younger daughter’s pretty study table and that Wall for their books and stationary. Also, a vision of yet-to-be-stitched blue curtains, that had been printed bespoke for us in Jaipur, appears in front of my eyes. And the playroom is already full of colors in my imagination.
As I step into the master bedroom, the view from the wide windows makes me happy. There is lush greenery of a small forest beyond the boundary wall of the spacious backyard, to behold. The house whispers in my ear that it has already seen me and my better half enjoying bed in breakfast here. It has felt my joy at witnessing the sunshine peeking through the window panes, flooding the room with it’s winter warmness.
Look, there’s my garden area. We have carved out a meandering gravel pathway leading to the garden swing. In a few days, I will Plant flowers on either side of this pathway. The flowers will cheerfully lead the way to our garden swing. Our beloved swing. To me, it looks lovely and inviting, with little hanging baskets on it’s sides, starting to fill with colorful petunias. It has already invited us a few times and we have enjoyed a cuppa or two, smiling at it, appreciating the hospitality. A little to the side is the newly built rockery, which is yet to be beautified, but does have little pots with plants adorning it. Next to it is the newly dug lotus pond. A long cherished dream, which is finally a reality. Soon it will have beautiful lotus flowers floating on it’s surface like a glittering crown. The various white trellises made of bamboo have been put up on the walls and they are waiting for pretty plants in pots or baskets to give them company. The Champa, Gulmohar, Kaner, Hibiscus and Lemon saplings that we have planted in the garden and the backyard are sprouting leaves, giving their word to us that they will be young trees one day and will bear flowers and fruits. The Rangoon creeper/Madhu malti vine has already entwined itself around the wooden arch built on top of the front gate. I hope I am here when the beautiful flowers appear and surround the gate like it’s crowning glory.
The front veranda looks like a happy place, with hanging baskets full of vibrant petunia flowers and a few other plants. The two big trays of rose shrubs are about to be filled with small white roses as the buds are about to unfurl. The potted Frangipani plant that was my prized possession, has now been shifted from the pot to the ground, near the entrance. Soon, it will start gracing us with flowers. I am eagerly waiting for that day, as it is among my favorite trees.
Dear house, you are unfurling yourself bit by bit, and metamorphosizing into a home. A home for two starry eyed children and two slightly elder, but equally hungry for joy, kids. Two slightly elder children who are basking in your unfurling glory and wonder. It will be any moment now when you will turn into “Our Home”. We are waiting, and relishing your unfurling.
© Sapna, 21st Oct 2017
