Diwali memories

This diwali I happened to miss my school very much.

I remembered how a day before diwali no one would be in a mood to study. There used to be a lot of excitement in anticipation of the last two periods which were declared free for us to enjoy. Against the rules students would bring crackers. In between classes surprise checks were organized by the Senior Appointments in an attempt to confiscate the contraband. Despite that bursting of (diwali) bombs before the allotted time would take place breaking the monotony of the classes.

Once I remember how we'd hidden patakhas in our classroom cupboard and locked it. Whenever an Appointment would come we'd say that the cupboard monitor had left the keys at home. Luckily for us that day our class teacher was absent so that was one less lie.

Other than protecting our loot time was spent by giving teachers "Happy Diwali" greetings cards made on our own. I would give cards selectively to my favourite teachers.

After the 6th period all students were left on their own. Everyone would come down to the grounds. It was utter madness. Some of us girls would huddle together while the boys would have a field time bursting crackers wherever they wished. So however careful you were you wouldn't know where the bombs had been left to explode. While this was scary and the noise deafening I would still love it all. The part I'd wait for was the really long ladis that were specially bought by the school authorities to be burnt. Once lit the noise would last for quite a few minutes!!