It was that time of the year.
The Festival of Lights.
Diwali is celebrated by different religious groups in India like Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, one time per year. It's the opening of the Hindu New Year, and for the happiest and most glorious nights of the year, furthermore is in honor of Lakshmi, a divinity that provides prosperity and richness. It takes place normally in October and can last four or five days, is a time for families to gather and share several meals, decorate the houses especially, and distributed gifts among themselves.
Focused on the joy of sharing with family and the community around lights, delicious food, street fairs, parties, fireworks, and prayer and music, the whole family gets together on such occasions in India. Me being the eldest daughter in my family was lighting the diyas and candles when I overheard a conversation between my Nani (maternal grandmother) and Nana (maternal grandfather).
She: Those laddoos are not for you... put them down.
He: But..one laddoo won't cause any harm!
She: No. I said.
He: Please...just one!?
She: No means no.
He: Huh... why are you so dominating?? It's my life!!
She: Ohh yes! I forgot, so do whatever you feel like doing!
He: I don't know why are you always so nosy about food! You know I love to eat!
She: I know but you have Diabetes!!! Why don't you understand???
He: Ufff!! I don't want to talk to you.
She: See... we are not young, hale and hearty..as we used to be before... and thanks to these diseases, attacking our health every day... we have to take care of ourselves.
He: ok...ok...blah-blah-blah... you are right...but I don't agree with you on one thing.
She: What??
He: I am still young...and you still look the same...beautiful...though your hair is changed from black to white... and you got a few more wrinkles...but, for me, you are still the most beautiful woman! The love of my life!
She: Oh!... I am flattered...nice try though... I still won't be giving you any laddoos.
He: You are still so stubborn...I hate you!
She: Don't shout at me you have high blood pressure!
He: haha...and you are still so cute...I love you... :)
She: *laughs softly* The kids are here!
He: Hah! Nevermind-
Even after 60 years of marriage, their love remained unaltered. I smiled to myself, lighting the diyas and thinking...Love is a quiet emotion that in time becomes part of the oxygen you need to breathe, and so though you may feel not sure that it's there, any form of removal and the emotions begin to choke.
I was startled as I saw a hand creeping within my sight as I lit the last diya. The hand shed the diya from the cool breeze of October. I lifted my head to see Aman.
"Aarti shuru ho gayi hai..chale madam?" ( The rituals have started, shall we go Madam?"
I smiled and followed him. He looked at me and held my hand, saying,
"I am never letting go of this. Samjhe Madam?" (U get it? Madam?)
I smiled in peace remembering what I just overheard and creating scenarios of me and my cute NRI boyfriend, Aman in my head.
YOU ARE READING
little things matter (short stories)
RomansaA compilation of Indian short love stories to fill your heart in one read! Each photograph holds a story behind it, and each short story might depict a photograph in the minds of the reader. Here I come presenting to you, a bitter-sweet read and h...
