Diya Chronicles-1

The year was 1990 and a tiny girl, all of 8 years, fingers wrapped around her mother’s hands walked into a so called “big fat Mallu wedding”. It was a big day for her dad. His eldest brother’s daughter was entering wedlock. She was excited as she had never seen such pomp and grandeur before. Her eyes asked a zillion questions. Every minute, some relative would pop over near her, smother her with their saliva and pluck her cheeks. She told her mother she wants to see every second of this function and she ran towards the aisle where she saw a familiar face. Her roly-poly cousin, a year and half younger to her had plonked herself there. While they hugged and kissed, a lady in her late thirties rushed to this girl and pulled her out – saying – “ Molu “ ( that’s what every girl in a Mallu household is referred to lovingly), “the groom is nearly here- come, you need to welcome him with the “thaalam” ( the traditional deck consisting of a lamp and flowers, used to usher in prosperity). While the lady pulled her apart from Diya, their fingers were intertwined , Diya asked – Aunty “ May I come too?”. The lady looked at Diya scornfully and said “ No, not you , you don’t deserve this “.
But why Aunty ? Diya asked crying.
You are the daughter of my brother who is loggerheads with me- she replied and walked away with Diya’s cousin in her arms.
Diya ran to her mom, shouting her predicament. Her mom held her in the warm circle of her hands -
Diya’s nest for several years to come.
It’s ok Diya. Don’t take it to heart. People will hurt you at every juncture of life. Learn to rise above these.
Lesson 1 that Diya learnt – People will hurt. They are nothing without your reaction.

Diya Chronicles -2

An embodiment love, Diya had never seen her father without a smile adorning his lips. He gleefully made tequilas out of the lemons life threw at him. Always humming a Bollywood number, loquacious as a magpie, he was a gifted sportsman. Excelling in his game, he often said "Only if i had picked up the right bat, i would have been in the league of MS". His height was often an impediment but that did not stop him from being the best in what he did. He went on to win the "National Best Player' award for his game and the one for the 'highest service"
He held his trophy on one hand and Diya on the other and whispered into her ear " Follow your passion, do what you love and love what you do, give it your best and the best will follow you"
A sparkle of tear escaped Diya's eye as she hugged him tightly !