Special Deepavali Sweets

I took my shower in the early morning and walked towards our small kitchen garden briskly. Unlike other days Raghav too got up early and was busy watering plants. The recently replanted tomatoes were showing their wilt. Raghav succumbed to accepting the inability of plants to adapt. Looking at me he said “Absolutely worthless....so much effort we have put upon, and as if no one is noticing it....”

I stood stunned. Is he speaking to me or to the tomato plants? Ever since his retirement, he was pertinent about so many things. An era as a banker and now as a gardener, he finds so many things unfit and strange. A few days back he was challenging earthworms for if you won’t take your proper role as a farmer‘s friend I will ward you off from my field.

I didn’t respond to his mere complaints. So much of arrangements are yet to be accomplished for the evening‘s Pooja. After all, today is Deepavali ..... I took a deep breath. I have no one to help me. Earlier when Sita was here.......

 My eyes trembled with tears. Her mere memory presents to me a hell of sorrow. She was the apple of everyone’s eye. Raghav too was a lovable and compassionate father to his only child. Ever since she challenged and left him, Raghav turned arrogant and aggressive, most of which I had to bear without a word of disagreement. Raghav couldn’t handle the walk-off of his only charming daughter and took his voluntary retirement and we both settled in the countryside. It was really hard for a banker to adapt to such a monotonous life where everything seems imperfect. But what about my emotions? With whom shall I share my agony....? I was just counting my days as if I had no ambitions left.

It has been four years since Sita left home. That is indeed a big gap. A gap which no meditation, yoga classes, family reunion or rituals could ever fill. Our mental health was at stake.

Though I had a lot of chores to finish for the evening, I intentionally chose to screen through our old albums. Photographs were indeed live and vivid. Small crying Sita, her first step leap, first birthday, her favourite pink dress, the first day of school, her group photos with friends and relatives, her accomplishments and triumphs which once took the lion’s share of our guest room, later it was intentionally shifted by Raghav to store room, may be an effort to erase her memories, but she always lived in our hearts.

I belonged to a middle-class affluent family and I am a postgraduate in English. I was working as a school teacher when we got Raghav’s proposal for marriage. My parents were on cloud nine. Raghav‘s family was very orthodox and conventional, moreover, they were feudalistic landlords and such an alliance was much beyond my parent's imagination.

Raghav‘s family had only one condition for marriage.

“Surabhi should quit her job. Raghav is already earning a handsome amount. Moreover, the family owns a lot which will be inherited by Raghav and his kids, so Surabhi should be an ideal homemaker.” Raghav’s father told in his shrilled voice.

My parents didn’t even ask for my willingness.

“Since the horoscope was fit and they have no other demands, this is a worthy offer.” My parents thought and I was compelled to shed off my vibrant and colourful wings of freedom and self-esteem. I became Mrs Raghav, and my likes and dislikes became conditional.

After marriage, I realised Raghav and his family doesn’t value woman or their freedom. I was compelled to obey most of the instructions without a word of disagreement.

Two years after our marriage, Sita was born. I always dreamed to make her self-dependent and zealous. She became an aspiring and enthusiastic student. I guided her to become self-dependent and value self-esteem. She bagged glories and laurels. When she entered her teenage, I read her hormonal hikes, she gradually introduced her alluring and handsome friend, Jacob. Jacob was studious and an inspiring boy. Unlike other boys of his age, he had a dream, and a vision and he worked hard for it. Sita was unknowingly fascinated by the way Jacob spoke, behaved and the way he studied. Jacob turned out to be a motivation for Sita. Maybe Jacob was also enjoying her company. They became close friends. I too liked Jacob for the way he cared for Sita, understood her emotions and stood with her in all her needs. Many times Raghav warned me and Sita about their friendship. But I wanted her to chase her dreams and live free, unlike me who shed wings and tears for the sake of a family which never gave me any priority. I realised the deep intimacy Sita and Jacob had. But they never kept studies at stake. After schooling, they both took admission for graduation courses. There also, they both bagged many accomplishments together.

After completion of graduation, they both joined post-graduation courses in the same college. By now, Raghav has sensed the forthcoming danger. He started planning for her marriage, lest she brings ill luck to the family. I silently witnessed the untiring efforts Raghav took for his daughter without understanding her emotions and likings, the same way my parents did to me.

One fine day Sita announced that she has bagged a Brinkton scholarship to pursue her higher studies abroad. And most excitingly Jacob has also secured it. Sita was on cloud nine and was dancing with joy at her most prestigious accomplishment. I kept mum without knowing how to react.

 When Raghav came to know of it, he became furious and scolded loudly “You are getting married next month....how can you leave?”

Sita stood muddled peeping deeply into my eyes. I had no answers.

“But how can my marriage be fixed without taking my consent,” Sita screamed.

“ Is it that important? I am your dad. You will be wearing unbelievable sovereigns of gold. Moreover, I am planning to gift a villa worth 1 crore to my son-in-law, Abhinav....” Raghav said with a smile as if he has revealed a top secret. We both stood surprised and astounded. Tears rolled down through cheeks of Sita.

“How could someone be so rude, only bothering about family’s goodwill? He knows what Jacob is to me, but is still harassing me. “ Sita could meekly speak in tears.

“Calm baby...calm...” I tried to console but......

“What should I do Ammaa...tell me....” Sita hugged me tight and cried.

“Jacob is good...But his parents will not accept this proposal....” I said in low voice.

“So.........”

“Just run away from here. If you both dare to live and face hurdles, accept the scholarship proposal and fly abroad.” My heart echoed loudly but I couldn’t speak. I knew Sita will be happy with Jacob, so what is wrong if they decide to stay together? But as usual, my lips were locked, unable to speak. How could a mother from such a reputed family misguide her daughter to elope away? I kept mum for some time.

After a thought, I whispered, “ Just follow your heart.....!!”

I never wanted another Surabhi to be born who is supposed to iron clothes, water plants, do the dishes and raise children as per the wishes and fancies of the family.

I closed the albums and revived back to my present. Today is Deepavali and I have to light lamps and make some more snacks and sweets for the evening pooja. I rushed to the kitchen and started working like a multitasked robot. Within a few hours, I was done.

Dusk took its role. I went to lit the lamps and got ready for pooja. By now Raghav too entered the hall with his frosty-nosed staring look.

“Where are the sweets?” he asked looking around " Special Deepavali sweets???"

I wondered why he is asking for sweets before pooja.

“It’s here Appa......”

The voice of Sita..... which we were longing to hear for a long. I couldn’t believe my ears. We both turned around in astonishment.....

Sita and Jacob...Oh my good god. She has had no changes during the last four years. Still chubby and cute with her sweet smile and sweet voice. I couldn’t hold on to myself. I walked briskly towards her and hugged them.

Raghav stood stern like a rock.

“See our Laxmi Devi has come with sweets of love and laughter,” I said. I couldn’t hold my tears and they rolled off like a flowing river. Sita too hugged me tight and caressed me like a deer cub. Tears flew down.

Raghav stood unshaken with no emotions.

“We are really sorry Appa...now your daughter is Dr Sita Raghav and your son-in-law is Dr Jacob Abraham. How could I stake my education? It gave me wings to fly higher. We both are now working in a Canadian firm and we are earning handsome rewards too. We are here just to meet our parents because Deepavali is festive and I really missed gujhiya and dahi badas.....”

Before Raghav could speak, Sita ran and hugged him tightly. Raghav's eyes got puddled and shedding tears.

“ It has been four years since I have smiled or laughed.....ask your Amma?” Raghav said in the complaint.

I nodded in agreement.

“Jacob is good Appa...he cares for me and helps me out in all odds. Isn’t that important?” Sita said weepingly.

It was really hard for a tough-hearted Raghav to melt and accept Jacob.

“Appa... please....” Sita pleaded badly.

“Let’s accept our kids. Lakshmi Devi has bestowed us with the sweetest Deepavali sweets, let's extend our hands and rejoice with them. They too are in despair for having disobeyed us. But now they are successful and much satisfied. Perhaps better than what we could have gifted for. Jacob accepted Sita without taking sovereigns of gold or villa and she is happy too... Don’t you think you must rethink...??” I spoke looking deep into the eyes of Raghav. I always regretted not speaking four years back.

“Yes.......Jacob.....welcome home.....it is really painful to stay aloof from you...”Raghav wept bitterly hugging Sita tight.

I and Jacob stood still. Goddess has blessed us with the most magnificent and vibrant colours of Deepavali and delicious Deepavali sweets. Meri Deepavali is perhaps the best ever...for the good has won over evil.