The Red Devil

The Reds were actively practicing for the finals scheduled to be held within two days. I was a proud member of the Red Devils team. Last year we had won the football tournament for the first time and this year we were going to defend it. I got selected in the team only this year as last year I had not qualified due to me not reaching the required age. 

After I joined my school, I was nominated to the Red House. So I had developed a liking for the colour red. The thought of representing my Red House in every sphere made me feel proud. The same feeling which I had when the Republic Day or Independence Day celebrations came up. The same feeling similar to patriotism welled up in my childhood mind. 

Out seniors used to egg us on by giving pep talks and motivational speeches.

Later on in life I continued with the fascination for this red colour. The moniker Red Devil stayed on for the rest of our life. 

In college there were no Houses like in the school. So there was minimal connection with my red colour. But on pass out day at the convocation I got the opportunity to wear the red gown and cap and took my degree which was also surprisingly in a bright red envelope. 

For my job interview my mother put a small red coloured handkerchief in my trousers pocket. It goes without saying I got the job. 

Very soon I married my college girlfriend and most rituals were done with objects of red colour. My bride wore a red coloured Benarasi gold embroidered saree. At the marriage ritual I smeared my bride's hair parting with vermillion or sindoor that was brightest of bright red in colour. Red was now was my signature colour. 

Many years later when our school friends united, we again got our team Red Devils together. A friendly football tournament was organised and our team Red Devils again came out victorious. We celebrated our win with red coloured champagne. 

The colour red continued to inspire me throughout my life. At our twenty fifth marriage anniversary we visited a hillside resort. It was a quiet location with very few footfall. A truly romantic location quiet and charming. My wife and myself took a vantage position on the top of a little hillock to observe the sunset. 

Slowly the sun was going down and covering the full sky in the horizon in a beautiful red colored hue. Much later after the sun had set the sky remained covered in a reddish coloured blanket. Then slowly the night fell to wipe out the red colour of the sky and cover it with darkness.