Saptaparni

I used to call it October Fragrance. because I couldn't remember its name and never remembered to ask Dida either. And somehow, the name has just stuck.

I was nearing the last lap of my very zig-zag and impossibly unpredictable "business trip" to Hyderabad that also extended to Delhi, last Sunday. I thought there was only so much excitement that could enthrall me at one go. The resort at Vikarabad, the Mineral Museum behind Shankar Market in Delhi, Sushmita's god level sprouts-n-daal-chawal dinner and our BDC party...

So the bus swerved left towards Kala Ghoda from Fatehgunj (all this is Baroda talk haan), and suddenly this overpowering fragrance pervades my olfactories and I'm in a daze. I was frantically looking for its source. Turning my head almost like an owl's 180 degrees, I spot the Saptaparni. In full bloom, the while flowers in their bunches emanated this heady aroma...

I was already looking forward to the tree near my house - albeit it had not caught up with the season yet. But the fragrance had not left my senses yet. It took me back to those several rides down the road in Wadala...