Janaki's POV:

Diwali evenings are the best ... specially for Sehgals...
It's always overwhelming to have a grand celebration with all my children and grand children.

And every year Sehgals host the best Diwali party in mumbai.

Although restricted to close friends and family only! Strictly no business, no media no outsiders!!!

I love to look at the way my daughter in law's plan this event and my otherwise useless busybee sons helping their wives and kids.

Strictly every year this day the entire house is decorated by family members only...

And this year it's even more special as we have a special guest coming home for Diwali...

My best friend's grand daughter ❤️

My best friend Durga shifted to London 13 years ago although prior to it we were neighbours... They owned two houses in the next lane...

Although they sold one...they retained the other as her son Vishal preferred to retain it in his wife's memory... Nirjara who died unfortunately due to terminal illness.

My eldest son Ram and Durga's son Vishal were childhood buddies just like us. They even completed their education together. Ram, Vishal & Nirjara were classmates.. Vishal married Nirjara when they were mere 21 and at 22. However Ram had a late marriage. But their bonding is still so beautiful.

Few days ago Ram told me he is planning to start a new venture in India with Vishal and I was more than happy. Old friendships rekindling were the most beautiful thing ever.

'Daadiiiiiiiiiiii helppppppp' I turn around to see my grandchildren are running in a row to apply color on my granddaughter Anu... She hates it 🤣

Although you apply the same on her face saying it's an expensive compact and it's 'so in!!!' she will be the first one to apply it.

And it's always 3 vs 1 here... Again they started running outside the house...

Vish, Anuj, Ritwik all three are behind her. All this because her protective shield my eldest grandson Raghavendra has gone out to get the Diwali sweet boxes and snacks organized. If he was here all three would be hanging in air and this little sister of her brother would be enjoying the show giggling and laughing...

'Anuuu, Vishiiii, Anuj, Ritu.... I'm going to bash you all....you cannot run on my rangoli ...guys I'm doing this for the third time urghhhh...'

Yeahhh that's my youngest daughter in law Shweta who is struggling to put the Rangoli for the third time now...

But the kids know how to pamper her...
'Bash Chachi.. you look so hot today... trust me Bash chachu is going to fall in love with you again'

And there she melts again...

And blushes like a rose... 🤣

And the kids escape her hold... These grandchildren of mine I tell you are brats..

'Maa...all done' I turn around to see Ram with Gayathri...
Gayathri is paralyzed below her waist since an accident 7 years ago... So Ram has a full time nurse Mrs D'Souza and once he is home he takes care of her personally...

I bend down to kiss Gayathri's forehead as she has her everlasting smile on her face. Probably there is where my Raghavendra got his beautiful smile from ❤️

Both mother and son smile and laugh whole heartedly... Pure souls.

Just then I see Niyonika-Laxman join us... Niyonika is my most responsible daughter in law...she takes care of both house and office. Being a Bengali she has very well adapted herself in a Punjabi joint family.

Finally I call everyone...even Bharat joins us who was busy doing the last minute preps...

While I see a full house except my Raghavendra...

'Where is Raghavendra?' I ask Ram...

'Bhai must be on his way' I hear Vishi reply...

But Pooja must begin on time... now I was getting angry as I expect entire family at the Diwali pooja...

Nodding my head...

I say... ' Let's begin'

And we all start singing...

Om Jai Jagadish Hare,
Swami Jai Jagadish Hare,
Bhakt Jano Ke Sankat,
Daas Jano Ke Sankat,
Kshan Mee Door Kare,
Om Jai Jagadish Hare.
Om Jai Jagadish Hare,
Swami Jai Jagadish Hare,
Bhakt Jano Ke Sankat,
Daas Jano Ke Sankat,
Kshan Mee Door Kare,
Om Jai Jagadish Hare.

While one by one everyone starts doing the Diwali Arti..

While finally I went to do the Arti I felt a hand behind me which joined the Thali...

And I turned around to see my darling, extremely handsome grandson Raghavendra next to me with the charming beautiful smile on his face who joined me do the Arti...
And my grandson and me we together did the Arti...

While post Aarti I caught his ears...

'Wher were you huhh??? Why were you late?'

While Ram intervened saying...
'Maa...I only sent him to get Vishal's daughter from Airport... Her flight landed an hour ago right!!'

Just then he turned around in one go biting his tongue...

'Dad I was so busy with the sweet boxes and snacks that it totally slipped my mind'...

Now Ram and Gayathri both looked pissed off...

'Like seriously Raghav... that girl is coming to India after 13 years that too on a Diwali night.. this is not acceptable...very bad... Now run... and get her home safely... I don't want her celebrate Diwali alone sulking in that Nirjara Nivas... when she has a big family here'

To which he nodded and ran towards the car...

While it started raining heavily...

I hope Durga's granddaughter is safe.

Raghav's POV:

Oh God... Diwali is always so hectic!!!

I was busy with preparations from morning because evening I wanted to enjoy the Diwali party with my Fab5 Gang...

And ofcourse.... with her ❤️

But even after working like a donkey from morning I have been asked to do the driver duty!!!!

That too to whom???

Some random girl whom I don't even know...

Some Malhotra uncle dad kept praising whom I don't even know!!!

Why should I pick her up!!! Huhhh 😠

Shit!!!

But then dad!!! Urghhhh!!

And the hell...

Why is it raining on a Diwali night...

Damn this traffic...

Curse you girl!!! Why did you choose to land on Diwali night itself!!!

Its like you are screwing everything for me!

I hope I don't end up celebrating Diwali in this car alone.

Because that traffic jam looks scary...

Finally after 2 hours I reach airport... After 30 mins I still don't see her so I call dad who confirms that she managed to taxi and is on her way to Nirjara Nivas...

Irritated!!!

I cut the call!!!

She didn't wait??? She left alone???

That too taking a cab...

Well if she knew to do that why didn't she do it in the very first place?!!

Wasted my time and energy?!!

Thinking I started driving back home...

As it was raining heavily and the roads were getting worse... Before the road turns worse with traffic I started flying carelessly the car...

I finally reached near the house while as I was in full speed... Looks like a ditch had dirty mud water...

Unfortunately it splashed on a lady who was walking on the footpath.

Just when I thought of stopping the car and apologizing..

I heard her scream...

'You Asshole...rascal.... scoundrel... Are you blind! How dare you!!!'

Now look usually I'm quite a cool guy but I avoid using cuss words!

But here this one began with the cuss words...

I took the car in reverse and this time the speed I reversed it...

She literally was washed with dirty brown muddy water from top to toe...

I couldn't control laughing 😂🤣
And I screamed...

'Next time try some new cuss words and you'll get a better bubble bath...'

Before she could react I splashed it again on her and left from there 😂

That was fun 😂🤣🤣