“Dasain is coming. We will get new clothes and money from our parents.”
We used to sing it when we were children. It is the day we get to wear new clothes, perhaps, once in a year. Therefore, full of excitement, more exciting that we get money after the tika. When I was a young boy, I used to go to every house to get tika, neither for blessing nor for food, but for money. I used to count money and walk off. Money was everything for me that time.
However, this year I celebrated Dasain, after three years. I could not get tika and blessing for three years because of my study. This year I felt different: for the first time I bought something for my family whereas they used to give to me before. For the first time, my mom didn’t give me new clothes. It does not mean I am sad, I just felt happy. At least, I am not dependent on my mom this time. I met with my childhood friends. They are no more children, they became mom and dad of the children. Our talking topics changed from toys to family topics, way we talk changed from the teasing and rowdy words to decent and respectful words. My friends do not call me by my name, rather with relationship title (like, Daju & Dada (Elder brother), Bhai (Younger brother) and others called me sir and greeted me). I am fine with the first three titles but not with the last one. Gush of nervousness and what-to-do-now feeling ran through my spine. I could not help but blush red.
Dasian was celebration for me: I got blessing from my old grandmas and grandpas, my parents, relatives and neighbors. I didn’t go for money this time. All family members get together from all places and consume the meal of same pot, where other time we are busy with our own lives. We pay respect to our elders by prostrating to their feet. I liked this idea because mostly we do not demonstrate our love and respect to our elders though we love and reespect them.
PS: I am missing my friends at Raichur. We can well understand the meaning of friendship when we are far away from them. See you guys very soon.
