Of Love and Chances

"Dada, stop brooding and come with me to the Pandal, you would love the atmosphere," chimed his sister Kuhu. Amit was back in India after a year and half on Durga Puja. Last time he visited home was during Christmas Holidays. The vacation had passed in a blur by catching up with old University crowd. He had just submitted his Doctoral thesis and was in high spirits. But this autumn break found him to be pensive and restless. Although he was enjoying his days at Syracuse Amit somehow found himself to be quite on edge these days.

"Yeah, like hell," he replied. "What you need is a dash of romance bro," said Kuhu wriggling her nose at her big brother. "And you think that will be around in our community Puja Pandal?" quipped Amit. "You know for a sharp and edgy dude like you, sometimes you are really very risk averse, take some chances man,"she winked. Now, that coming from his younger sister he almost keeled over with laughter. His romances have always been talk - of - the - town but somehow they never went anywhere. May be she was right after all, may be he just had not taken enough chances with them. "This time I shall be a good sport and listen to you Chhoto," said Amit endearingly to his sister. "Wow!" she hugged Amit.

The pandal was crowded for the big Ashtami Puja day. People were jostling over each other to offer prayers to the Goddess. Once a year Rini tried to put her best Bengali foot forward in lovely saree and attended the mass festivities. She was not particularly religious, but somehow come this day she would try to do her best to uplift her mood by joining in the fervour of the yearly autumnal affair. 

Now that she was here she felt a bit nervous. Big crowds always did that to her. "Never you mind girl, just go with the flow," she thought. The pushpanjali was about to start. There was lot of din. "Ladies and gentlemen we will start the pushpanjali soon, interested people please gather round and join the service as quickly as possible," crackled over the public addressing system. Someone, pushed at her and Rini bumped into the guy in the front. "Hold on," said Amit turning around. But as soon as their eyes locked both Rini and Amit ended up smiling at each other as if they both knew each others secrets. Kuhu did not miss the moment and whispered to Amit,  "Drinks are on you tonight, I think!"