Today I stopped at my neighbour’s place. Do you remember I told you about my South Indian neighbours. They very earnestly follow their festivals and traditions. I was a little surprised to see them cleaning their house on a big scale and also getting it painted. Now you know, how much cleaning always attracts me. So I was pretty curious about what was happening.

My neighbour told me that they were cleaning the entire house for a very big festival that will come next month. The festival’s name is Diwali. The guy told me that cleaning house is a major ritual during Diwali time.

This is indeed very good. Festivals should make us live better. I asked him more about Diwali and he told me how people light earthen lamps and decorate their house with lights and flowers. I was too happy to hear this. Everything was sounding like Christmas. It made me feel very good.

I reached home to find my wife eagerly waiting for me. She loves all South Indian things. She had been waiting for me to accompany her for shopping new clothes. She told me that we have been invited by our neighbours to celebrate the Diwali festival with them. She was in no mood to let this opportunity pass. She was adamant that we buy South Indian clothes for the occasion.

Now I don’t mind if she wears something South Indian, but why force me to do the same. I am not very comfortable with those clothes and I really want to enjoy myself there. Well, to say that my wife is stubborn is an understatement. I reluctantly went with her to the market.

South Indian clothes are so bright in colour. I saw some very nice shades and beautiful work on garments. It was all new to me and I enjoyed the experience. My wife purchased a sari for herself. It is orange in colour with some kind of golden work all over it. I liked it a lot. I am eagerly waiting to see her wear that sari.

Before my wife could corner me and force me to try clothes at men’s section- I ran away. Luckily I met an old colleague of mine at the mall and he was too happy to accompany me. My wife couldn’t say anything in front of him and this is how I escaped from a real torture.

Frankly speaking, I feel that I am quite smart. It is only that I underestimate myself most of the times. I will never forget the look on my wife’s face as she saw me escaping with my friend.

Ha ha ha ha ha

But let me take your leave now. The door bell is ringing. I think my sweet wife has returned. I need to pacify her. Please take care. Bye.

The ‘common man’ didn’t get a chance to pacify his wife because he was himself feeling in high spirits. The wife had returned with an Indian dress for him in bright yellow colour. She had declared that he had to wear that at Diwali party. The common man looked at the dress and sighed. He wondered if he could escape on that party day also.