Delectable Holi

Holi! the festival of colours was fast approaching and little Ananya was miserable at the thought of not being able to enjoy due to the Covid restrictions in her residential complex. The figures of positive cases rising in her society was only adding to her woes. Like all other children of her age, she missed playing in the open and Holi was her favourite festival. She began blaming the pandemic so hard and felt disgruntled most of the time.

Her mother, Shanti tried many a times to cajole her.

Shanti: "We are all safe and sound; have a roof over our heads and plenty to eat and drink, isn't it enough dear".

Well, an adult can comprehend the profound meaning of the statement but how to expect a 10-year-old cherubic child to understand. Shanti' so-called positivity induced explanation could not dampen Ananya's spirit of playing Holi with vibrant colours and water-filled spray guns. She could see the glum look on Ananya's face and wondered how to make her happy. Just one more day to go for Holi and Ananaya was reeking with despair.

As the dusk was setting in, Shanti sat on the sofa with a mug of coffee and thought of the many ways to cheer Ananya. Looking out of the window she was amazed to see the orange aura that ushered a sense of calmness around her. She then picked up her phone and ordered 3 boxes of Jalebis from a famous sweet shop close to her residence. Ananya was very fond of it and Shanti was confident that the sweet and sugar-dipped saffron Jalebis will melt her heart. Alas, even the soft fragrance of hot Jalebis could not flutter Ananya's sensory organ of smell and she conveniently chose to ignore it. However, Shanti was adamant to see a big smile on Ananya's pretty face. She came up with a brilliant idea of celebrating Holi in a unique way and coaxed Ananya to join her.

Shanti: "Come on Ananya, let us do something different this Holi".

Ananya: "If your idea is to play Holi without colours and water, then I am totally not interested".

Shanti: "Join me and you shall know beta."

Seeing Shanti's excitement Ananya relented and decided to help her mother in the unique endeavor.

Shanti: " The least we can do is to spread some sweetness by distributing Jalebis to our next-door elderly neighbours this Holi".

Ananya: “That is so boring Maa!”

Shanti: " No, it isn't dear. Mr. and Mrs. Mehta are staying alone and due to the pandemic, they have confined themselves in their home. Their children are staying far away; no visitors either; so, let us share happiness and joy with them."

Ananya half-heartedly agreed but in the corner of her heart, she still craved to play Holi with colours and water.

Shanti switched on some music and both carefully began wrapping the boxes of Jalebis in colourful papers keeping in mind the essence of Holi. Just then the doorbell rang and their maid Kanta who was in her late 50s walked in. Shanti had recently employed her two weeks back as she needed a job desperately. Whilst Kanta scrubbed the utensils with her frail hands, the sound of music seemed to fade away. Shanti pondered a while and lowered the music to hear her bangles jingling with the utensils in the interlude.

After Kanta finished with the utensils and was ready to go, she came to Shanti with a request

Kanta: "Madam, tomorrow being Holi I won't be coming to work".

At that very moment, don't know what came over Shanti but she immediately picked up 2 colourful boxes of Jalebis and handed them over to Kanta.

Shanti: "HAPPY HOLI"!

Kanta was dumbstruck for a moment but soon she gave a 'Thank You' glance to Shanti. After she left, curious Ananya asked

"Those sweets were meant to be given to Mehta Uncle and Aunty. Why did you give to Kanta"?

Shanti: "We still have a box of Jalebis dear."

Ananya was confused at her mother's sudden affection for Kanta but nevertheless remained quiet.

The next morning, Shanti took the single box of Jalebis to the Mehta's. They were extremely happy with the sweet gesture. Everyone relished the delicacy and Shanti saw Ananya smiling and laughing with her favourite Uncle and Aunty. They had fun with board games and time passed as quickly as possible. Before leaving, Aunty gave a box of colour crayons to Ananya and lovingly said, "This was for my grandson who was to visit me earlier this year, but God has other plans. Maybe it was for this small angel Ananya who filled our day with love and joy."

Ananya was on top of the moon to receive a box of crayons as she loved to draw and paint.

The next day started as usual for Ananya. She joined her online class and was busy with her schedule. Shanti was busy cooking when the doorbell rang. Kanta had arrived for the morning chores. As she entered the drawing-room, Ananya observed Kanta folding her hands and thanking Shanti profusely.

Kanta: "Thank You Madam. My whole family of 8 members enjoyed the Jalebis".

Then with a warm smile, she narrated how her elder son who gradually lost vision in both his eyes after a prolonged illness relished every morsel of the sweet with his heart.

Kanta: "This was the best HOLI he ever had Madam!"

After Kanta left, Ananya who overheard the conversation ran to Shanti and hugged her dearly.

Ananya: "I now understand the true meaning of any festival. It is not always about the things we can celebrate with; it is how we make it special for others to celebrate with us. It is all about bringing a change in other lives, bringing a smile, and spreading joy with all."

Shanti chuckled and proudly kissed Ananya. The twisty, curly, and sugar-loaded Jalebis had indeed made the day memorable as, "Delectable Holi'.