Heartfelt Letter to the "Ghar wali Diwali"
Dear Meri wali Diwali,
Every year since I remember, I have been with you and with my family - sometimes on a road trip, but mostly at my home. And nothing has changed in the routine.
10 days before you come, my mom will start the "Mission Safai" for you. You know it's an yearly ritual - right from cupboards and it's contents, to ceilings and sofas, everything is rigorously cleaned. And one dialogue I have to hear every year - " Atleast now clean up your room." The bathroom becomes a laundry of all the "everyday use" sofa, pillow covers and bedsheets. Bright new covers are seen all around the house - tere aane ki khushi me.
2 days before your arrival, mom will turn the kitchen into a furnace and she will employ me and my father to help her as she takes on the task of preparing the diwali sweets and namkeens. Hot oil, frying sweet coconut 'karanjis', 'shankarpali', 'chakli' and the sweet laddus - it's a feast for you. Then my grandfather will supervise me and my father as we set up the same lantern and lights in the windows year after year to welcome you. Miraculously they work each year. The earthen lamps are taken out, washed and dried ready to be used. And finally we are ready for you.
The morning begins with my father waking me up at unearthly hour to the sound of bursting fire crackers outside my window. Then the special bath, wearing new clothes, preparing diwali breakfast which the entire family then enjoys together. Then my mom's Rangoli outside our doorstep becomes my canvas to fill in colours - which I do with as much joy as Picasso must have had while doing any of his paintings. The diyas are carefully lit and placed beside the Rangoli, lantern is lit and the joy of your arrival fills my heart.
Except, this time I am not enjoying it. I love you, with all your excitement, beautiful lightings, colourful clothes and delicious delicacies. And when I left my city for my job I was always happy at the thought of coming home to meri wali diwali every year. You are a special feeling , you are an emotion. You don't require band baja baarat wala welcome. Just the family members all together, sitting in the beautiful lighting, enjoying each other's and your company. And that's what I am missing. Meri wali Diwali has always been "Ghar wali diwali" and only then does it feel like it's a "Happy Diwali". I miss you.
Always lovingly yours,
Amrapali
Every year since I remember, I have been with you and with my family - sometimes on a road trip, but mostly at my home. And nothing has changed in the routine.
10 days before you come, my mom will start the "Mission Safai" for you. You know it's an yearly ritual - right from cupboards and it's contents, to ceilings and sofas, everything is rigorously cleaned. And one dialogue I have to hear every year - " Atleast now clean up your room." The bathroom becomes a laundry of all the "everyday use" sofa, pillow covers and bedsheets. Bright new covers are seen all around the house - tere aane ki khushi me.
2 days before your arrival, mom will turn the kitchen into a furnace and she will employ me and my father to help her as she takes on the task of preparing the diwali sweets and namkeens. Hot oil, frying sweet coconut 'karanjis', 'shankarpali', 'chakli' and the sweet laddus - it's a feast for you. Then my grandfather will supervise me and my father as we set up the same lantern and lights in the windows year after year to welcome you. Miraculously they work each year. The earthen lamps are taken out, washed and dried ready to be used. And finally we are ready for you.
The morning begins with my father waking me up at unearthly hour to the sound of bursting fire crackers outside my window. Then the special bath, wearing new clothes, preparing diwali breakfast which the entire family then enjoys together. Then my mom's Rangoli outside our doorstep becomes my canvas to fill in colours - which I do with as much joy as Picasso must have had while doing any of his paintings. The diyas are carefully lit and placed beside the Rangoli, lantern is lit and the joy of your arrival fills my heart.
Except, this time I am not enjoying it. I love you, with all your excitement, beautiful lightings, colourful clothes and delicious delicacies. And when I left my city for my job I was always happy at the thought of coming home to meri wali diwali every year. You are a special feeling , you are an emotion. You don't require band baja baarat wala welcome. Just the family members all together, sitting in the beautiful lighting, enjoying each other's and your company. And that's what I am missing. Meri wali Diwali has always been "Ghar wali diwali" and only then does it feel like it's a "Happy Diwali". I miss you.
Always lovingly yours,
Amrapali
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