Of His and Her : 8

It was a week before Diwali. The festive season had already kicked in and everything around them was filled with the Diwali celebrations! Of what would they be doing, how they will be celebrating it, booking the tickets to home. This time too they were going to travel together. But this isn’t about that. That day he dropped her home like many other days after her classes. And after about half an hour of chatting at the gate and before saying that final bye she unveiled her plans of the evening. She and her room mates were going to the Paataleshwar temple. It was Deepotsava and the temple was going to be adorned with 1 lakh diyas / lamps. Her eyes twinkled with the mention of it. And she seemed very excited about that.  He loved when her eyes sparkled like that. And out of nowhere she asked him whether he would like to join them too.

He was caught unarmed. He liked the idea of spending an evening with her but with all her friends and that too in a temple lighting diyas? He wasn’t so sure.

“Will see .. I will let you know later “is all he could reply then.

She smiled and ran inside.  Staying at a girl’s hostel, he wasn’t allowed inside of that gate. A good friendship had grown much thicker in the new unknown town.  And this had become a routine. He would usually pick her up after her class; they would either have a tea or a coffee together at a roadside stall with a bunch of friends or then spend that half an hour at the gate if she had assignments to submit the next day. If not, they would either take a stroll to the paataleshwar or to the shaniwaarwada.  Sit there and talk. Talk about just anything. About life, dreams, hopes, music and movies.

She knew he would come and he knew that too. So there he was at the gate waiting for her in the evening.   She was wearing a very simple yellow colored cotton salwaar which he had seen her in many times. They smiled and starting walking towards the temple. All of them together. The evening was growing with each passing minute. Initially unaware of what to do, they finally found a spot for themselves and settled in. Lighting the diyas. From one to the next. Silently, peacefully. Concentrating so as not to spill the oil. For the first one, he pulled out his left hand to pick one diya but she promptly but gently snapped him asking him to use his right hand.

She was too excited to see how the temple will look when all the diyas would be lighted. The temple was filled with many people. All of whom had happily volunteered for the event. Some others were putting rangolis in varied patterns.

With the entire hula boo around, they were lighting the diyas. Stealing those glances once in a while. Listening without talking. For the first time they were together and not talking. And it was not uncomfortable. It was pure and calming. Eventually, after the sunset it became dark.  Beneath the twinkling stars, they saw the thousands of diyas all lit and twinkling. And he looked at her. She never looked more beautiful. The golden light of the diyas made her dress and skin look radiant too. And to add it her smile.  She was glad that he could join her. Somewhere inside they both felt happy like never before.

Finally it was done and she got up with 2 extra diyas in her hands to find the perfect spot for them walking amidst all the lit diyas not realizing that he was walking behind her holding the long end of her uneven dupatta.  

Wishing you all a very Happy Diwali !!