Diwali's Unexpected Light

Diwali in Kalyanpur is always a lively affair. Houses gleam with strings of lights, and the air hums with happiness and crackling fireworks. Young Aarvi adored the festival—the sweets, the lights, the music. But this year, something felt a bit off. With their parents busy preparing for a big party, Aarvi and her quirky brother, Nihar, were tasked with decorating the house. “I’ll sort out the lights, you handle the lamps,” Aarvi directed, her authoritative tone offset by her obvious excitement. She spotted something odd just outside their doorstep—a dusty old lantern, long forgotten and worn out. “Oi, Nihar, check this out!” she called, holding it up triumphantly. Darkened by time, it seemed to shimmer under Aarvi’s steady hand. “What can one more lantern do?” replied Nihar, ever the skeptic. Ignoring him, she wiped it clean, unveiling its majestic carvings of mythical beings and moons. Soon, it began to pulse with a gentle white light. “Woah,” they both whispered in unison—a rare occurrence for siblings known for bickering. They carried it inside. "Must be the Diwali spirit," Aarvi smiled, cleverly suggesting that the lantern’s glow would ‘complete the decor’. Once inside, an ethereal glow engulfed them, and everything shattered around. They jolted, yet curiosity tethered them. When the glow faded, they found themselves in what seemed to be Kalyanpur, but it wasn’t quite right. The sky shimmered a deeper shade of turquoise pierced by dancing fireflies the size of sparrows. And just ahead of them, a group of children laughed and played. But it wasn’t an ordinary group—it was them, and they weren't joyful at all. Aarvi’s alter ego exuded confidence though she felt hesitant, while Nihar’s counterpart burst with enthusiasm, a trait the real Nihar clearly lacked. "Whoa, Aarvi, are we like... duplicates?" Nihar asked, poking the air around his reflection. Before they could process this new reality, a jovial creature appeared—a tiny elephant with wings, jasmine-scented, and far more agile than its size suggested. "Welcome to the Diya Realm," its sing-song voice echoed. "Tonight, you'll discover what Diwali truly embodies." Mystical challenges awaited them—escaping a mischievous wind that extinguished their flames, crossing a shimmering river on floating lotuses, and crafting harmony between quarrelsome colors of the rainbow. In every task, Aarvi and Nihar grew closer—not through competition, but with empathy. They began to mirror their counterparts, listening more and speaking less, accepting vulnerability instead of projecting strength. Under an old banyan tree, they met an ancient sage, her voice a melodic whisper. She shared tales of Diwali’s origin, linking the festival of lights to the discovery of friendship, forgiveness, and the vanquishing of personal darkness. As the night drew on, the lantern began to dim slowly, signaling that their journey in this world must end. Holding onto the lessons learned and shedding residual doubts, Aarvi took Nihar’s hand. "There's magic in everything," she sighed, "even in us." Back in their living room, surrounded by fervent family chatter and flickering Diwali lamps—they realized that home never felt more radiant or inviting. The old lantern sat quietly on the mantle, its majestic carvings now just a whisper of memories. Later, recalling the evening's fantastical escapade, Nihar shrugged nonchalantly. "Next time, we should get a talking cat involved," he grinned cheekily. Aarvi laughed, knowing that whatever adventure awaited next, they would face it together. As the shimmering lights of Diwali bathed them afresh, the air filled with brighter laughter, warmer hugs, and renewed bonds.