In The Heart Of A New World

Chapter 7: Diwali Delights

Fourteen days had passed since Karva Chauth, and the atmosphere in Meera and Aarav’s home buzzed with excitement. Diwali, the festival of lights, was just around the corner, and Meera was eager to dive into the preparations. With Aarav’s parents still staying with them, the house felt vibrant and alive with the spirit of family.

“Meera, we need to get more diyas!” Neeta exclaimed, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the supplies they had gathered. “The more, the merrier!”

“Absolutely, Ma! I’ll make a list,” Meera said, pulling out her phone. “Should I also get some more colors for the rangoli?”

“Yes! Let’s make it colorful this year. Aarav, you should help Meera with the rangoli,” Raj chimed in, chuckling. “You can’t just leave it all to the ladies!”

Aarav smirked, looking at Meera. “What do you say, Meera? Are you ready to unleash my artistic skills?”

Meera laughed, her eyes twinkling. “I’m sure your skills are much appreciated in other areas, but the rangoli might be a challenge for you!”

“Challenge accepted,” he replied, winking at her.

Later that day, they headed to the local market, where the vibrant colors of the festival filled the air. The streets were bustling with people, and stalls overflowed with sweets, decorative items, and colorful rangoli powders.

“Look at those diyas!” Meera pointed to a vendor selling beautiful, handcrafted clay lamps. They were painted in bright colors, each one unique.

“Oh wow, they’re beautiful!” Aarav agreed, picking one up. “We need to get these. They’ll look great on the balcony.”

As they selected several diyas and colorful powders, Neeta and Raj picked out sweets to offer during the festivities. The joy of shopping together made Meera feel even closer to Aarav’s family.

“Let’s get some traditional sweets for the puja too,” Neeta suggested. “I’ll make sure everyone has their favorite.”

Aarav and Meera exchanged glances, both feeling grateful for the family atmosphere that surrounded them. As they made their purchases, they could already envision how the house would look decorated for Diwali.

That evening, they gathered at home to start the decorations. Neeta and Meera set up the rangoli at the entrance while Raj and Aarav lit up the diyas around the house.

“Look how pretty this is!” Meera exclaimed as she carefully sprinkled the colorful powders to create a beautiful floral design.

“It’s coming along nicely!” Neeta replied, kneeling beside her. “You have a good eye for this, Meera.”

“Thanks, Ma! I learned from the best,” Meera beamed, glancing at Aarav, who was setting the diyas on the balcony.

Aarav, overhearing, turned and said with a grin, “I think my skills are shining too, don’t you think?”

“Only because you’re standing next to the beautiful diyas,” Meera teased, playfully rolling her eyes.

With the rangoli complete, Meera stepped back to admire their work. The vibrant colors contrasted beautifully against the plain concrete, creating a warm welcome for their guests. “It looks amazing!” she declared.

“That’s the spirit of Diwali,” Aarav said, standing next to her. “Light in every corner.”

As the sun set, they lit the diyas, and the glow filled the house with warmth. Neeta began the puja, reciting the prayers for prosperity and happiness. The fragrance of incense wafted through the air, blending with the delicious aroma of the sweets they had prepared.