“What would you like to have, regular or bottled water?”

How exotic does it sound, when water is addressed differently!

If the statistics are to be believed, there are more than 3000 brands of bottled water for the consumers. It is even more interesting to find the description of the “source of water” that goes along with the bottles. Not to forget, a brand means the water comes for a cost. The older the source of water, the upper goes the charges to drink it.

I agree that, water has taste. It depends on the type of water that we receive. At times, it may be the ‘odour and taste’ of the chemical that has been administered for its purification. Certainly, we follow our own rituals to make the water “germ free” and “safe”. Often it is with the help of a water purifier, but the traditional practice of boiling and cooling is the popular choice.

Trying to figure out the form of water, I close my eyes. A few seconds it takes, and I start visualizing clear, flowing water from the hills. It runs into rivulets, playfully dragging the fallen leaves and branches, and tracing paths and making new. It appears to enjoy every moment of its unrestrained free flow, elusive though. Yet, it remains pure.

I cup my hands to scoop the water, clean and transparent. Lifting my hands, slowly I take a gulp. Sweet…. I recall tasting the spring water in the hills of Mussoorie (A hill station in north India). Nostalgia hits! My eyes open searching. Indeed, our lifeline, water speaks mysteriously. And I reach out for my still water.