Diwali this year

The scenes outside our building with a rangoli prepared by the watchman's daughter; at Marina beach around midday; the skyline late in the evening; fireworks at the flat complex we visited; Ash watches as I light a "spinning wheel"; Ash tries to light a match; Mira watches the fun; and the kids playing inside.
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Diwali was more fun than usual for us this time round. Unlike last year when Ash was away in Kerala, this year we had both kids with us. Ash had great fun but Mira was scared shit through most of the fireworks in the evening and clung to me for dear life. Only towards the fag end did she even venture to leave the safety of my arms. Last year she had even held a sparkler in her hand and had enjoyed the fireworks.
We had gone to V's colleague's place in the evening for dinner and festivities. Since their apartment complex had a lot of kids, there was a lot of fireworks and fun. We reached home around 10.30 p.m. after a heavy dinner of mutton biriyani and chicken curry and stuff.

We had left the maid behind since she was not feeling too well. She is the kind who likes to pile on us whereever we go, and it is already getting on my nerves. Having a live-in maid, especially nosey Malloo ones, is at a great cost to your privacy. I'll be glad the day I wont need them anymore - that will mean at least another 2 years.