The Surprise Journey Home: A Diwali Story

On the morning of October 30th, I was getting ready to board my 7:50 AM flight to Delhi, where I had planned to spend Diwali in Vrindavan. But as I prepared to leave, a wave of unexpected anxiety hit me. Something inside urged me to check for flights back home. I tried to shake off the feeling, but deep down, my heart kept thinking of my family and home.

So, I decided to check flight availability from Delhi to Hyderabad. The prices were reasonable, but I still couldn’t decide what to do. To help me make up my mind, I messaged my brother for advice. He responded simply: “Go home.” That’s when I made the spontaneous decision to book a flight to Hyderabad, right there, on the way to the airport.

What’s even more surprising is that no one knew about this change—no one except my brother. Not even my mom, who had called me at 4 AM to make sure I was up in time for my flight to Delhi. The whole thing happened so naturally, and in a flow, that it felt like it was meant to be.

But, I must say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Once I landed in Hyderabad, I called my mom, pretending to ask what she was doing and what food she had prepared. I was trying to give her a hint, but she casually replied, "Nothing special," and then asked me if I had reached Vrindavan yet. I could barely keep it in, so I simply said, "Keep the doors open."

It didn’t take long for her to realize something wasn’t right. She asked again, “Are you coming home?” I could hear the mix of shock and happiness in her voice. I replied nonchalantly, “Can you make a different curry today? I’m not too comfortable with brinjal.” That’s how the conversation ended, but the excitement was already bubbling beneath the surface.

When I finally arrived home, my mom was waiting in the living room, eager to see me. We sat down to have lunch together, sharing stories and laughing about how my plans had suddenly shifted from Vrindavan to Hyderabad.

During our conversation, my mom mentioned that she had already made some arrangements for evening snacks. It was a small detail, but it spoke volumes about the excitement and love she had in welcoming me back home.

The rest of the day was filled with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and the simple joy of being with family. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected changes are the ones that lead to the most precious moments.