Sparks in the Dark

Considering Mira had never even been to Jaipur, she could have sworn she stood a better chance figuring out a Rubik's cube in the dark. Yet, here she was, trying to find her aunt's house on what felt like the most chaotic night of the year. The streets glittered and buzzed with lights, laughter, and explosions of color—so typical of Diwali, India's Festival of Lights. Her Google Maps desperately pinged in vain, mirroring the chaos in her mind. Mira grumbled, clutching her phone close as she got stuck between throngs of people swaying to the beat of dhol drums. "I don't even know what I'm doing here," she muttered to herself. That's when she bumped into a towering figure—literally. Mira looked up into a pair of warm, hazel eyes that twinkled with curiosity. "Arjun," he introduced, his voice booming over the cacophony. "Mira," she replied, instantly flustered by his presence. He was the textbook definition of rugged charm, and she wasn’t quite sure if it made her nervous or excited. *** Arjun's mind had been elsewhere when Mira inadvertently sidetracked him from his own mission to track down an old friend. Yet, he found himself intrigued, if not a tad bit amused, by this complete stranger who stood before him amidst the chaos. As they weaved in and out of street vendors and amiable crowds flooded with festive energy, the evening took an unexpected turn. Jaipur was engulfed in a sudden blackout, rendering even the brightest Diwali lights powerless. Miraculously, only the moon bestowed its silver glow over the city. "Guess the universe just wants us to slow down for a bit?" Arjun jested, and Mira couldn’t help but laugh. With the commotion of the festival abruptly transitioned into mellow tones and distant drumming, Arjun and Mira ended up winding down a quieter alleyway. It was as though the world slowed just for them, allowing a conversation to unfold about family expectations, life’s winding paths, and Restless dreams. Time passed unmeasured, with them transitioning from laughter to vulnerable disclosures. Arjun admitted his fear of never reaching the potential others saw in him, while Mira confessed her feeling of being untethered, like she was drifting through life wanting direction. "You know," Arjun revealed, speaking as if sharing a secret, "sometimes the path you're meant to take finds a way of showing itself, even when you're lost." Mira looked at him, captivated by the simplicity in his conviction. Maybe this detour was part of a bigger cosmic plan. *** Before first light hinted at its arrival, power flickered back on, serenading them with the familiar hum of electric life. Talking all night left them both feeling refreshingly awake. Parting ways reluctantly, Mira now easily wove her way to her aunt's house, her steps lighter than they’d been in days. She bid Arjun goodbye at the crossroad leading to their separate destinations. "Thanks for an unexpectedly unforgettable night," Arjun said, his disarming smile reflecting in Mira’s heart. "If you find yourself a little lost again, you know where to find me." With a wave, he disappeared into the first sunrise glow of the new Diwali day. *** Perhaps fate had given her more than just directions. Mira realized, in that unexpected adventure, she found a part of herself she hadn't known was missing. She couldn’t help but smile at the memory of this festive, impulsive night and the stranger who became so much more than a detour.