SHE SPARKLED THAT DIWALI

When the colorful twinkling lights came into view through her bus window she felt nostalgic. She almost jumped on her seat at the very thought of bursting crackers with her best buddies, Minty and Raju, in a few hours. Others in the bus were busy talking about the inter school drawing competition, from which they were returning, but she was occupied with her plans. It was Diwali, a time to enjoy and have fun. Even the white envelope in her bag containing a scholarship, her reward of winning the competition, made no sense to her.

When the bus stopped, she alone stepped down. They call it slum and she called it her world. Through the narrow lane lit by earthen lamps she ran towards her home. A string of yellow lights was hanging from the roof of her house and she frowned at it.  She wanted it to be blue this year. The two earthen lamps at the door flickered as she rushed inside. With an ecstatic shout ‘Diwaliiiii’ she inform her Mom, Dad and little Sister that she’s home. However she got utterly disappointed on finding out that they all were excited only to know about the competition. With a very brief reply that conveyed nothing significant about it, she went ahead to get ready for the festivity. They must be waiting for me with crackers, she thought.

Her utopia came down crashing when her Mom told her that a family has come down to see Minty for marriage. Her heart sank further as she thought about Raju. She knew that he mostly remains busy these days in his father’s garage and she hated his father for making him work so hard. Her disappointment doubled when she reached his home only to find out that he will return late from the garage. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she began walking towards her home. On the way, she saw people making preparations to hit the roads with fireworks.

A myriad of thoughts clouded her mind. Not only her Diwali got spoilt but her upcoming days are now going to be lonely too. If Minty gets married, with whom she would play after the school, who would be her partner in crime and who would listen to her stories, fancies and woes. She started crying and wondered that with Raju being busy all the time, to whom she would flee when her mom would make her do household chores and what if her dad marries her off soon just like Minty. Her life suddenly felt empty and dreadful.

She saw a gathering just before her house. Diwali celebration was on but she carefully made her way to her home without anybody noticing her. Her eyes were swollen, with tears still lingering in them, and she slowly began unpacking her small bag that she had taken to the tour. She saw the white envelope and recalled the moment when she had climbed up the stage and everyone clapped. Her drawing was displayed on a big screen but they didn't allow her to bring it back home. She loathed their cruelty as she thought that her Dad must have seen it. 

Soon everyone became busy with crackers and in the absence of Minty and Raju, nobody came searching for her. She fiddled through her art book and counted five ‘good’ and two ‘excellent’ remarks. She smiled and felt a little proud. Having nobody to go to, she poured herself into her art book. The pencil obeyed her commands and traced countless lines and curves. The castle that won her the competition came into view again, but this time it summoned her to celebrate the festival of lights. She illuminated it and had a cheerful celebration throughout the night. Two days later when the school principal exhibited her sketch in the assembly, she wondered whether her Diwali was really spoilt?

When her two best buddies were about to leave her alone, another friend arrived in her world. Passion was its name. When the canvas around her changed, she submitted herself to her new friend in a hope that it will neither get married nor will disappear behind the busyness, until she wishes. Reflecting on this a few years later, she found herself sitting in the fine arts class, smiling to herself. But she was clueless about when she befriended her another friend, dream. Last Diwali, she guessed.     

Dedicated to my dearest friend Tania Roy who instilled the concept of passion and dream in me.