Embedded nostalgia
As I sip chai in the land of opportunities it seems a little too bland compared to motherland. The weather is typically Mumbai monsoon in Seattle for most part of the year so having chai everyday at any time is only justified. The air here may be cleaner than it is on diwali pahaat but nothing can match the mirth of an incense stick in some corner spreading fragrance all over the house, garlands adorning the doors, windows and cars, the excitement of putting up a rangoli or the relaxing bath post an ubtan smothering.
But as it strikes 9:00 a.m, India (local time 9:30 p.m.) is celebrating laxmi pujan. Everyone on my social media feed is busy taking a picture, posting a video, enjoying the fireworks or simply dressed up in their own homes to enjoy the sweets. It won't be of any shame for me to accept that up until this year, I was a part of the 'media obsessed during festivals' clan. Now as I go through the same feed of posts and repetitive pictures, I have realised I took the whole festival for granted. All these years with my family, I just spent them by decorating the house, buying new outfits just to feel extra desi, had multiple lunch or dinner outings with friends but never decided to stay back home and just enjoy the time.
Each time I see the diyas or the sweets that came in a box from home are only a small installment of the love that has persevered through years. Never did I ponder over the scenario of a package coming from home would make me happier than online shopping packages. Amazon Prime deliveries did not make me this happy!
Today seems like the brain is pushing the nostalgia levels to a maximum as I am alone sitting in a corner of a room, writing this blog when my gulab jamuns have failed me and I have no further motivation to pick up the Diwali feeling. It's just something about the place back home. The same feeling cannot be experienced anywhere on the face of the earth. No matter how many potluck parties you attend or finally use that ethnic wear, it will never be the same. It won't feel the same because the fireplace can only provide you the warmth that makes the room warm, not your heart. You won't be a part of any food coma but just low temperature induced lethargy.
In every corner of the world, there's a piece of the togetherness that filled these beautiful days of Diwali with joy. While I miss the comfort of home, deliciously home-cooked food with extra ghee(which also meant extra pyaar)and the warmth of people who are close to me and their beautiful smiles back home, I hope that they remember me too. And to all those who are away from home, just drop in a call or message to friends or family that have been away from home too, if nothing more they'll at least feel you remember them.
Wishing you all a Happy Diwali!
Each time I see the diyas or the sweets that came in a box from home are only a small installment of the love that has persevered through years. Never did I ponder over the scenario of a package coming from home would make me happier than online shopping packages. Amazon Prime deliveries did not make me this happy!
In every corner of the world, there's a piece of the togetherness that filled these beautiful days of Diwali with joy. While I miss the comfort of home, deliciously home-cooked food with extra ghee(which also meant extra pyaar)and the warmth of people who are close to me and their beautiful smiles back home, I hope that they remember me too. And to all those who are away from home, just drop in a call or message to friends or family that have been away from home too, if nothing more they'll at least feel you remember them.
Wishing you all a Happy Diwali!
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