The greens and blues of the valley were risen to a new and vibrant glow by the sunrise. The spiral road was surrounded by pine trees on one side and tea gardens on the other. The first rays of the sun illuminated the snow clad mountains and few kuccha and wooden houses embellished the picturesque scenery. Pratap has been opening his hazel eyes to this scenic beauty every morning, since his birth.
Palampur, a small pahadi town nestled in Kangra district has been home for Pratap’s family for generations. His father was the care taker of the Daranga tea estate and as far as his memory goes, Pratap has been working with his father. At every step of life, Pratap is reminded of being dedicated to the masters and carrying forward the legacy of being the trustworthy servants of the Daranga Tea Estate.
Every morning, before setting out to work Pratap wore a fawn coloured kurta pyjama, a black half jacket with a red cloth wrapped around his waist. He never forgot to wear the red and black himachali topi which was gifted by his masters. Like any other morning, Pratap got ready in the same clothes to carry out the same old duties. A deep sigh and he set out to the tea estate.
On his way, Pratap brushed his finger over the tea bushes, his legs kicked the pine cones that came on his way and he hummed a song in hope of finding some life in his monotonous routine.. In hope of adding meaning and purpose to his life.
He could feel the winds changing their directions. It was April, that time of the year, when the sun was a little warmer and it was time to start tea plucking in Palampur. Many men lined up to weave bamboo baskets at the estate’s boundary.
Soon the tea gardens will be dotted with hundreds of men and women with bamboo baskets hanging on their backs. Women and girls from nearby villages flock around to pluck tea leaves and earn a living for themselves. The harvest time is busy for Pratap as he has to keep a close eye on the harvest and help his father to pay the labourer at the end of the day.
While Palampur was getting back to life, Pratap’s life continued to be amiss. The only life Pratap ever lived was as son of a caretaker of the Daranga Tea Estate. Day after day, year after year, he followed the same duties and the same routines without a break. His heart was keeping him alive, waiting for Pratap to get a life.
To be continued…..
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, and generously SPONSORED BY Bugshield Clothing – Don’t be Bugged!
The entire explanation sounds very fresh. Hills, tea garden. As a reader it feels so nice but for the people who work in these tea gardens, I am sure, it is way more tougher. Especially, when they don’t have any other choice but to carry out their duties.
Glad u enjoyed it Alpana. 🙂
Interesting start. Waiting for the next part.
Thank u so much. 🙂
I recently visited a Tea garden and could relate the imagery in your stiry. Waiting for it to unfold further with the life of Pratap changing.
Thank u so much. 🙂
Mesmerizing.. Would love to know what happened next.. Hoping for lot of positivity .
Thank u so much. 🙂
Looking forward to the next part. Of what prathap would do differently to change his routine.
stay tuned. 🙂
I remember reading about Palampur in 9th or 10th standard. Your story reminded me of my Economics book. Looking forward to read the story ahead.
Glad u loved it. 🙂
Wow, an interesting fiction tale, waiting for the next part to know more about Pratap and the twist and turns of his life.
Thank u so much. 🙂
Love the simplicity in you writing. Looking forward to the continuation
thank u so much. 🙂
Love the imagery your words created. I felt like I was walking along with Pratap. Looking forward to the next installation.
thank u so much. Stay tuned. 🙂
Nice start to the story. Pratap wants more than the life his ancestors lived. Ambitions of the younger generation.
Thank u.. stay tuned to know more. 🙂
Freshness of a tea estate has very nicely penned down 🙂 awaiting for ur next one!!
Thanks a lot ☺
Tea gardens are really good. And you have written it really well.
Thank u so much 🙂
I went to Munnar the last time we went to India and I loved it. I still have so many places left to see in India. Your writing is amazing. looking forward to reading the next part.
Thank u so much. Glad u loved it,☺
Interesting start. I love the way you write, one can easily visualize the tea gardens. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Thanks a lot
Lovely piece of writing, Supriti. I enjoyed how you created such powerful imagery in your writing, transported me to the tea gardens. Looking forward to the continuation.
Thank u so much ☺
I felt I visited Palampur through this post,, wanting to know more about what happens to Pratap next.
☺☺
Reminds me of Tea State at Munnar. Beautiful narration, waiting for the next chapter to see what changes with Pratap 🙂
Thank u ☺
Life around tea gardens are usually monotonous as there is no hustle bustle, like in the city. Having said this, it is also very peaceful indeed. But like our protagonist Prathap, who has dreams and needs to break-free out of the monotony, life in the tea garden can become quite boring too. I hope Prathap soon finds the courage to travel in the path his heart yearns to be. Awaiting the story continuation now.
Thank u so much for your kind words.
So beautifully written. Good start of an interesting tale. Looking forward to read the next part.
Thank u
That seems like an interesting love story, would love to read the further parts.
Thank u ☺
Wow, seems to be great start of fiction tale. Waiting for the next part to know more about Pratap .
Thank u 😂
Your post brought back memories of my trips to Munnar tea estate. I’m waiting for the next part
Thank u ☺
I enjoyed reading till now and waiting for the next part. You are a fabulous writer, your flow of words have the power to take away the reader.
Thank u so much for ur kind words