Diw(r)a(m)li!!!!
Ram was counting down the days—only ten more to Diwali. He could almost smell the sweets and savories his mother would soon prepare, and his excitement grew as he imagined them. He already had a few outfits in mind and had personally gone to check out the latest arrivals. As he flipped through the brochures he collected, he pictured himself in each outfit, wondering which would suit him best.
Now, with just two days left until Diwali, Ram bustled around the house, helping his mother, though he found these errands tiresome. His father, Daran, watched him, amused by his curiosity yet troubled by his own thoughts. He couldn’t shake the previous day’s conversation with his manager.
“Ram, how are you doing?” the manager had asked.
“Good, Sir,” Daran replied. “We’re all getting ready for Diwali. I’m excited about the preparations at home.”
But his manager’s response was somber. “Daran, there are some changes coming. The company is struggling, and it may affect the bonuses this year and even your salary for this month. It’s not an easy time, Daran, but we need everyone’s support to get through this.”
Daran felt helpless, resigned to “face the music” alone.
As he watched Ram’s boundless excitement, he felt a lump in his throat. He couldn’t bear to tell his eight-year-old that this Diwali might lack the fun and treats they’d all hoped for. Meanwhile, unaware of the financial strain, his wife Jaya was busy making lists for the festive treats she planned to prepare for the community. The budget was set at 2000 rupees, but that and new clothes felt out of reach now. Daran, feeling trapped, decided to step out for a walk, hoping to find a solution. He mentioned his worries to Jaya before leaving, and though she tried to stay strong, her eyes filled with tears. She had no idea how to explain this to Ram.
Daran wandered aimlessly until he found himself in a nearby park. Sitting on a stone bench, he watched Diwali posters being put up, but he couldn’t share in the festive cheer. His thoughts swirled with worry as he considered what he could do. Noticing a stack of posters and an agent waiting nearby, Daran approached him. The agent explained that the person assigned to put up the posters hadn’t shown up. Though Daran was hesitant to do such a job, he knew he needed any extra income he could find.
“Can I do it?” he asked the agent.
The job would pay 0.50 rupees per poster, totaling around 1000 rupees for the 2000 posters that needed to be put up around town. Daran was relieved; with this and an additional 500 rupees he could borrow from friends, they could at least have a modest Diwali. Carrying the posters, he set off, pasting them one by one until he finally returned home, exhausted, at 10 p.m. Ram was already asleep, though he had stayed up eagerly waiting for his father. Daran handed the 1500 rupees to Jaya, explaining how he had earned it, and she was moved to tears, remembering him as the proud professional she had always known.
The next morning, Daran, still tired from the previous day’s unexpected work, woke to find Ram sitting quietly on a small stool Daran had once made for him.
“Hey, Ram! You’re up already?” he said, surprised.
But Ram only looked at him with sad eyes. “Father, why didn’t you come home early last night? I waited for a long time,” he said.
“Sorry, son. I had some extra work,” Daran replied softly.
Ram looked up at his father and spoke with surprising wisdom, “Father, I know you worked hard so I could have a nice dress and all those treats. But I don’t want them if it means you have to do extra work. I just want you here with us on Sundays and holidays.”
He hugged his father tightly, adding, “I’ll wear one of my new clothes from before, and we can enjoy the treats another time. Please don’t work so hard, Daddy.” He kissed Daran’s hands with a smile.
Daran was overwhelmed with emotion and embraced his son, grateful for his understanding. Jaya, watching them from a distance, felt a sense of peace. Together, they celebrated a Diwali filled with love and simplicity. It was the real celebration and real Diwali.