Mumbai skies had awoken with the perfect shade of blue when Malavika Mohanan and I set off on a drive to the city’s outskirts. It was a thoroughly pleasant morning—the crisp and refreshing winds were indeed playing their charms. We were headed to a tiny village by the countryside, away enough from Mumbai’s humdrum to spare some time for listening to the radio, watching the sky change colours, and of course, clicking a few photographs in serenity. Our musical car ride to the village ended with a lovely sight of the sun painting the hamlet golden. Very much in our spirits, Malavika and I began exploring the ancient gullies sprinkled with colourful tiny houses, spotting a mooing calf here, a bunch of merry kids there.

As we walked, curiosity layered our vision, and it didn’t take me long to find the perfect frames for Malavika. A first opportunity came when I spotted a giant old tree, holding age-old stories in its every little cranny. Nearby, a rustic hand-paved wall awaited us with the perfect backdrop of the shimmering sun, and all I had to do was go with my photographer's instincts. But the highlight of the day came a bit later when the sun had just begun preparing for its journey back. As the sky glowed in lovely shades of pink, we reached a quiet little pond by the village. I instantly envisioned Malavika gracing the perfect frame of the vibrant skies, glowing waters, and a stone wall as old as time. And so, she did. She stood there, like an enchanting Apsara who had made her way to the earth, bedazzling you with her charming allure and a secretive blush. I smiled as I clicked the shutter button on my camera, hoping to remember this transcendent moment for years to come.