Rohit was immensely happy on the day before Diwali. Early next day morning he was proceeding for a holiday with his family after a long gap. His wife and young daughter of 8 were even more thrilled. His daughter Kavya had called him several times during the day reminding him about the cab booking and other seemingly smaller things. The exhilarated mind of Kavya had a fear that her busy daddy may forget something which may lead to last moment hurdles, her mind would fret until she boarded the flight. Rohit knew about these feelings as last year he had to cancel his holiday plans in the last moment due to some business exigency and had lied to his daughter that the flight had got cancelled.

The day went by without any hitch, the cab was booked, there was no reason for the flight to be cancelled, and everything was smooth, all the more no business exigency. On his way back home he stopped by at a local mall and bought a chocolate basket for Kavya. She was a greedy chocolate eater, on most occasions he desisted from such generosity but today was a special day. He knew that Kavya would flash her most winning smile on seeing the chocolate basket. She would also warmly hug him and say “Best daddy of the world”.

Rohit parked his car and hurried towards his apartment. The watchman, Ram Pratap, an otherwise heavy eyed and drowsy fellow stood from his chair in attention on seeing him.

“How are you Ram Pratap?” asked a beaming Rohit.

“Very nice saar, going home tonight,” babbled the cheerful watchman.

“Great, going home after how long?”

“Saar, after 2 years”

“Who all are there at home?”

“Saar, Mother, father, wife and a daughter”

Rohit was happy to hear the thrill in his voice. A thought crossed his mind.

“Are you carrying something for your daughter?”

“Yes saar, shining glass bangles and plenty of toffees”

Rohit felt a little unsettled. In a flash of moment, he stretched his hand and offered his chocolate basket to Ram Pratap and said, “Give this to your daughter, she will be happy.”

Ram Pratap hesitated but accepted it. Rohit could see Ram Pratap quickly turning his moist eyes away from his sight.

“Happy Diwali saar,” were the words that entered Rohit’s ears when the lift door closed. 

The door was opened by Kavya, bubbling with enthusiasm and happiness. No sooner did he step in that she hugged him tightly and said “Best daddy of the world”.

Rohit felt ecstatic, he could not remember when he felt so happy last.