This Diwali

By Archisha Paul

This Diwali is a little sad….. because you are not here. You had to go somewhere else to achieve your dreams, to help someone, to become someone. You were away and I did not feel like dressing up or smiling or decorating.

This Diwali is a little sad …because I feel a little lonelier than usual. You chose to be in my life or came involuntarily but since you became a part of it, I have felt alone without you here.

This Diwali is a little sad … because when I hear the crackers bursting, I miss you. I miss you getting annoyed at the pollution, I miss each time you flinched when a bomb burst a little too close.

This Diwali is a little sad …because I have not dressed up this time. You were my reason to dress up because seeing you take the effort made me want to look nice too. I loved seeing your bright eyes when you looked at your reflection or when you saw me look clean. This Diwali is a little sad …because the sweets are a little less sweet. Your smile made my mithais sweeter and since I cannot see it in person this time, I feel a little bitter.

By Archisha Paul