The year is 2011.
I rarely remember the years of family memories but this one’s special.
In August of 2011 my elder sister had gotten engaged, in December the same year, she got married.
On one of the days between Dushehra and Diwali of 2011, I had just finished my studies at 9.30 and gotten into our living room, Papa had just returned home, and we four (Mom, Dad, sister and I) were having a usual banter; when my father suggested we all go to the Dushehra mela immediately; because, why not?
Dushehra mela in Kota, my home town, is a fair that starts on Dushehra and continues till one day prior of Diwali, and has all the things a fair has — rides, deep fried snacks, softy, stalls for anything and everything.
In a whim, all 4 of us got ready.
Now this was too unlike we as a family and as individuals — because:
- We had stopped going to Dushehra mela for a long time — ever since I had started having serious “studies”. What once used to be a yearly family ritual had lost its mojo.
- We were (and are) quite a planned family. We would pick one Sunday and then all go on that day. Never unplanned.
- Papa suggesting it and all of us agreeing was another surprise, because Papa hates surprises as much as a deer hates lion.
- That was the time I used to have dinner by 7.30 pm and go to bed by 10 pm no matter what, but that day, I ate “more stuff” in mela which I never ever have, especially after dinner.
Anyhow, we all immediately went to the mela and had the time of our lives.
We had gobhi pakodas. Yes, deep fried. Yes, in a public place. We also had softy, jalebi, and what not. My sister and I also went for several rides together, while our parents perhaps chatted together on how we both sisters were having the time of our lives, even though we both were going in different directions.
I do need to mention that I cleared the exam next month in November and stepped into CA Final. Happiness brings happy results. Also, that meant no more Dushehra mela going forward, mostly by choice.
My sister did get married in December that year and her life was never the same. Not that my brother-in-law is bad. He is in fact one of the most amazing humans I have ever met. We respect each other a lot. But just that, sometimes two people are great individuals but not good partners.
Anyway, coming to our impromptu Dushehra celebrations:
Have fun while it lasts.
The good old days are happening right now. You never know which one will be the last.
