The colour-ful lights of the puja pandals looked brighter than the stars. All around, people were visiting different pandals to seek blessings from Goddess Durga. The shops of the city were also filled with people. But there, at the very end of the Meena Kumari Road, was Priyam, sitting on a stool, in front of "Santosh Sweet Shop". She watched the passersby move along the road with numerous big packets in their hands. Priyam too wanted a lovely frock for puja. She also wanted to visit the different puja pandals. But that would only be possible if her mother got her salary today.
There entered the shop a young man in his mid-20s. He had an oversized bag upon his shoulders and a large phone in his hand. As he entered the crowded sweet shop, he tripped on his leg and his phone fell from his hand. .Oh no, my phone!. the young man exclaimed. This caught the attention of the shop owner, Bikas Babu. He asked, "Ki holo, Sir?" "My phone fell and it looks like the screen has cracked." Bikas got up from his seat and went closer to the young man and had a good look at his phone. "It must be the work of this girl, she must have put forward her leg so that you trip on it and break your phone. I have told her so many times not to sit here and wait for her mother, but she is so adamant." Priyam gloomily looked at the shop owner and said, "I have not done anything, Sir.. .It is all your fault, you girl," said Bikas Babu.
"Excuse me, Sir," said the young man, "but I don't think it is the little girl.s fault. She has done nothing. It.s just my carelessness." The young man bought some sweets for himself and also bought a big bar of chocolate for Priyam. He went to Priyam and said, "Hi, I am Rajveer. Here, take this chocolate; I know you must have felt bad about the allegations put on you by the shop owner. But, please don.t mind him."
Hesitatingly, Priyam took the chocolate from Raj's hand and thanked him. "So, what have you got for this Durga Puja?" Raj asked. Priyam didn.t reply. .It.s alright if you don't want to share, what is your name?"
"Priyam."
"What a lovely name. Listen, Priyam, will you come with me to the evening fireworks show at the Nana Sahib Grounds?" Every year, on the occasion of Durga Puja, the Nana Sahib Puja Committee holds a spectacular fireworks show. Priyam had always wanted to go there. "Okay," she said.
"Then get dressed nicely and meet me here in half an hour."
"But I don't have any new clothes," she said. Rajveer thought for a while and then said, "I will get you a new dress." Rajveer got her two new beautiful frocks, one pink and the other a combination of baby blue and purple. Priyam quickly changed into her new pink dress and got ready for the fireworks show.
"Everyone hold your breaths, the spectacular fireworks show organized by the Nana Sahib Puja Committee is about to begin in ten seconds.... 10, 9, 8, 7, 6." and there was a blast of fireworks in the night sky. It was a beautiful sight! But even more beautiful was the smile on the little girl's lips. As is said, Durga Ma blesses everyone. Happy Durga Puja, friends!
