Introduction

A cottage in the hills seems like a perfect place to stay while going on a hill trip. There is an abandoned cottage in the hills that belongs to Ishita. No one knows much about it. No one ever felt the need to know about it until Neel and Ishita decide to go on a vacation to the hills and spend some time there in the cottage.

It's been only one year of their marital life but a huge mental distance has taken its place in their relationship. Fights about the smallest things have become the antagonist of their love life.

Neel is an extrovert man with a charming personality. He has many friends while Ishita is always quiet and camouflaged. She has a trait of being possessive sometimes. She doesn't like her husband being too friendly with the other ladies.

"She is just my childhood friend. How many times do I have to tell you that you're the only woman for me?" Neel says.

But Ishita has a different level of her insecurities. It is not clear why. She doesn't like to talk about her past.

Neel seems to be a busy man and due to his work, he could not spend quality time with her. The distance between them grew eventually. They both know it is important to spend some time together to sort out how they feel.

"I know things have not been great between us lately. But I'm willing to make it right." Neel says.

"I liked us better when we used to watch the stars at night and cuddled in the cold. I miss the old us." Ishita replies.

"Me too. Let's go on a trip to the hills. I promise we will have a good time and we will come back home like the fresh daffodils in spring after the cold winter." Neel says.

"Yes, that is a great idea. How about Mussoorie? Remember I told you once about the cottage in the hills how I inherited it from my uncle? Can we go there?" Ishita asks.

"Sure. Let's have a good time." Neel replies.

Early in the morning they leave for the hill trip. Ishita looks at the autumn sky from the train window.

"Look at the sky, Neel, it looks so colorful."

"Yes, just like you, Ishita. Once drifted colors have combined again to make something beautiful."

"The colors drift away when the painter is missing." Ishita says.

"The painter will not go missing again then." Neel replies as he holds her hands. They stare at each other as if nothing ever went wrong.

"I have never been to Mussoorie before. Have you?" Neel asks.

"Really? It is a nice place." Ishita says after a minute of silence. As if there was something that she better not talk about. She continues, "You probably won't like the cottage." She immediately regrets saying it.

"Oh why wouldn't I like it?" Neel asks.

"It's old. Old places have many stories." Ishita replies.

"What are you getting at?" Neel asks with curious eyes.

"Just kidding. It is just cold and abandoned. So I thought you may not like it." She replies.

Neel feels doubtful about the suspense she creates. He asked, " Is it spooky or something?"

"I guess we will find out." She replies.

Neel smiles and says, "yeah, sure, we will find out."

Neel does not like the suspense that she creates. He wants to go there to spend some time with his wife and feel the nature. But Ishita makes it look like the trip will be something more than just a hill trip.