Sense & Sensibilities

Futurama 3

They stood outside a church, and at a pre determined time, a bell rang – once, twice, three times. It's interesting, Rawte thought to himself- humans can be divided into various religions, and yet the basic premises remain same. On the surface level, at least, he never cared for religion or God almighty ever.

"You know, the oldest synagogue of India is just 40km away from here." Riya spoke with an excited voice. Just when she was about to explain, he cut her off.

"Jewish prayer place. I know."

"I want to visit it someday." She was wistful, "Preferably during Hanukkah."

"To light candles?" the Jewish festival had a tradition of lighting up candles- 8 days, one candle each. Riya once told him she believes in God, and maybe she don't care about who's God was it. They are all the same, one and all, right?

She hummed non comitally, a thoughtful look on her face. "You know, the candle lighting ritual wasn't always the same. There was a disagreement."

"A common thing in all religions." He remarked lightly, drawing a smile from her.

"A section said – candles should be lit one after another, each night. So it will be one candle, then two, and so on. The other section said, it should be the other way around – 8 for first say, then 7, then 6."

"Why is that?"

She turned to look at him, "Cause miracle was greatest on the first day."

"And it vanishes on last day?" He rolled eyes, "Seems depressing for a festival of light."

"That's why people now follow the other one. Cause miracle, it seems," the air between then suddenly felt thick, and she swallowed. "miracle grows to greatness every day." Her eyes were beseeching as she asked, "You think that?"

He couldn't look away, "You know I'm not a believer."

She blinked, "Right." Looking away, she shook head, "Sorry for . . . Um . . "

He didn't believe, but he also knew just because he don't, it don't cease to exist. And maybe, for both of them, what they need is a miracle. Deus ex machina, call for a prayer, divine intervention, whatever it is.

Then he wondered- since when he waits for a miracle?

Is he a believer now?