Home, Sweet Home

Diwali was so much fun always for me and I have always loved to get Diwali gifts. Who doesn't after all? We Indians do not sometimes really realize the cultural and festive wealth our nationality has bestowed on us. I was so happy, I had all my dresses ready, should I take the pink one or the blue one? will these shoes match this dress? Where was the digital cam?

I was calling everyone, the time had come, the day was drawing near. Yeah Diwali too was coming, of course, but I was excited about my trip to Singapore and Malaysia with my parents and sister just before my marriage, please please please take me to Malaysia once before marriage, it was Diwali time, preparations for my marriage had to be made right after that but then dads are all for their daughters always, yeah, why not, he said.

Relatives were wondering why now? Preparations had to be made that too just near Diwali anyways everything was fixed up for the trip. All reservations, best of hotels..tours. All set and so was I waiting anxiously. We were to leave a day after Diwali. I wanted to be in Malaysia for Diwali but dad said “after Diwali ”, I was fine with it.

We went to my granny's place for that Diwali. Oh I was so excited for my trip. We reached there a week before Diwali. Nanny, maternal uncles, aunts, my cousins all greeted us with warmth as always, they were busy talking, family stuff, Diwali preparations etc. I was busy with my trip thoughts, I didn't really enjoy the stay there as much as I used to every year, may be because I had other things in mind, my trip, this stay seemed more of a transit to me, yeah one thing I was worried about was my contact with my fiancée, I would be away for a week.

Before Diwali, people started pouring in, friends relatives with gifts, warm wishes, there was effervescence in people everywhere, lightings, crackers, people busy making rangolis, lighting diyas, poojas, new clothes, sweets, crackers, fireworks, dinners, get togethers, playing cards, there was an environment of festivity everywhere, what was I waiting for then. How could I miss all this. So much fun and festivity for a trip abroad..how could I not see all this for all these days.

I was back to my usual self busy talking, rangoli and diya decorations, crackers, enjoying thoroughly. I relished the appetizing palatable dinners with gusto again. I thought what I would have missed had I been not in my country for Diwali, being in our country for Diwali was the best Diwali gift I could get from my parents. Next day we were off to Malaysia we had great fun there, may be the after affects of Diwali mood..and yes I remembered to bring small gifts for everyone back home.