Finding my love on Holi
I love Holi and like celebrating it with my family. But I could not get my train tickets that year and went over to a friend’s place to celebrate. We are of the same height and build. While we were playing, a couple of her friends dropped by. I went inside to help her mother and I was feeling a little awkward as I didn’t know my friend’s classmates.
As I was walking out of the kitchen with a tray in my hand to the terrace, I heard the opening of the door and before I knew someone hugged me from behind and said happy Holi ‘chunmun’ while emptying a glitter bottle on my head. My friend was entering the house from the terrace door and I don’t think she saw what had happened because she rushed in with colour in her hands shouting, ‘Rohit!’
Rohit then realized that he hadn’t hugged his friend but me and was apologetic. I thought he was cute so I told him not to worry about it. We continued to play with colours and enjoyed bhang at the end. That Holi was special as it brought my fiancé, Rohit, into my life.
*Neelu, 27, IT professional
Egged on Holi
I am scared of Holi. I stay indoors and lock my door. Last Holi was no different. In the afternoon when I crept out of my room, I was glad to learn that only my favourite cousin, mom and dad were at home. My brother, the Holi-lover, was out with his friends. Counting my blessings, I sat down to have gujaiya and asked my cousin for some cold water.
I was talking to my mother and telling her that I was glad that Holi was almost over when I felt something gooey on my head. My FAVOURITE cousin brother had actually broken an egg on my head! My mother couldn’t stop laughing, I didn’t know how to react while all my cousin said was, ‘Bura na maano holi hai, behena! Itna toh banta hai, kal se sab baat sunoonga!’
*Leela, 30, finance analyst
Between the legs
I was quite busy with my new job last year and so had forgotten all about Holi and the infamous balloons kids throw at everyone on the street in Lajpat Nagar. I had to go to a friend’s place to pick a speaker and had taken an auto from Moolchand to Jamia Nagar.
A little before Amar Colony, the auto was showered with balloons and I had a good laugh. It reminded me that the festival was just round the corner and I should stop letting work hijack my life. And just then a bike whizzed past and the bike riders actually aimed a balloon at the space between my legs.The festive feel in my head was killed it in an instant. It left such a bad taste in my mouth that I now avoid Lajpat/Amar Colony area altogether.
*Richa, 29, photographer
To scold or not to scold
I haven't stepped out of my house on Holi for the past 7-8 years. I don't play with colours. I think I am allergic to colours as my cheeks start itching. I don't waste water. Also, I feel it's a barbaric festival as random people start attacking you with balloons and colours. That's just not fair. Last year, a few days before Holi, I was attacked with a water balloon by a kid from the terrace of his house. I went to the house and started scolding a lady as I assumed she was the kid's mother. Instead of being apologetic, she started screaming at me.
She told me (in a very impolite manner) that she had no children. I also didn’t give up. I went up, scolded another woman. This lady said that her children were not playing but she was kind enough to guide me to the door where a bunch of mischievous kids were hiding from me. They were so cute. I just didn’t have the heart to scold them. They said they were sorry. I told them to not throw balloons at me and just when I reached the gate another balloon hit me. The ‘cute’ children squealed ‘Happy Holi Didi!’.
*Mudita, 23, media professional
*Names changed
Persons in the picture are models. This article was first published on February 27, 2018.
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