I stepped back to admire my work as I finished hanging up the last lantern over the string of fairy lights strung over the backdrop of our living room's wall.

The flower vases were perfectly arranged throughout the house and the snack table was ready to be piled with the hot, piping food being prepared in the kitchen.

The preparations for the Eid dawat at our house were more or less done and guests would start arriving any minute now.

Pots and pans clinked in the background mixed in with the voice of gossip flowing from the group call in the phone.

"Then there was this organza silk saree with embroidered paar but I felt like it was too expensive you know. Plus, I had already purchased two sarees."

Ammu shared her shopping story with her sisters as they listened eagerly and put in their opinions.

My older aunt nodded, "True, but it's not everyday you find a good saree. You should've bought it."

My mother's face became regretful, "Now I'm thinking the same. It was so beautiful after all."

"What's the name of the shop? We'll go again together when we come to Bangladesh." My youngest aunt added as I watched her on the screen as she fed one more spoon of soup to her 3 year old toddler whose eyes were glued to his iPad.

"Stop giving her ideas! You all are beyond help, still only thinking of shopping even from different corners of the world. Wait till you come to visit again. You can go stay in those shops, no need to stay with your old mother or care about her."
My grandmother chided from her spot on the sofa as she glared at her daughters over the phone.

"Haye Amma! What are you saying? My lovely, young,smart mother. If I could, I'd hop on a flight right now and come to you leaving behind everything."

"Astaghfirullah! Don't even think about that . Look at your child, who will take care of my precious grandson? And what about your husband? Don't bother coming alone."

My aunt pouted and muttered okay while I stifled a laugh at my Nanu's antics.

"There's something missing in the biryani." Ammu said as she tasted one spoon of the steaming rice from the pot and licked her lips.

"Bring it to me." Nanu ordered our helper. "No knowledge of spices at all. How many times have I shown you ? Don't embarrass us in front of the guests."

"What're you smiling at? Go and fix your appearance. How come I love dressing up so much but my daughter turned out to be the opposite." Ammu repeated her usual regrets as I scowled at her.

"I did wear my Eid Salwar kameez! What else?"

"Go put on a bit of foundation and lipgloss dear. It'll look good in front of the guests."

I looked at Nanu in betrayal.

"But - I'm in my house."

"So many guests are coming, it doesn't look good my dear. Just a little bit."

Ammu nodded in agreement to her mother and I flashed one last look of betrayal at them before trudging back into my room to fulfill their demands.

It's not as if I hated makeup. I just didn't have the energy right now. It's the second day of Eid and after roaming around all our relatives house yesterday and then helping make the house look presentable for the dawat at our house today, all I wanted was to take a nap and snuggle under the cover of  my blankets while enjoy some biryani.

I mustered up the energy to put on some light makeup and then styled the sky blue hijab over my head.
I was happy that my hijab perfectly complimented my new blue, organza sequin salwar kameez.

The sound of the bell ringing jerked me to go back outside where I saw our helper opening the door as the first stream of guests started arriving, all dressed in their fancy, glittering , branded Eid clothes.

I fought my inner introverts' intrusive thoughts and forced myself to be social as I went ahead and greeted the guests with a beaming face and polite greetings.

The chorus of Assalamualaikum and Eid Mubarak filled our living room as everyone hugged each other and broke out in chitter chatter.

Naturally, the kids were dumped in my room and I was put to babysitting duty. I watched in horror as a 11 year old boy ran past my bookshelf nearly knocking some books over.

"Slow down! How about movies? You wanna sit and watch something. Aren't you getting tired?"

The kid ignored my words and briefly glanced back at me only to stick out his tongue and continue his spree of destroying my room.

I watched helplessly as he gave me mini heart attacks every time he went near my precious story books.

His mother was busy mingling and chatting with the other aunties and paid no heed to her son's antics.

"Wanna solve some puzzles?" another kid asked the misfit who immediately stopped running and raised an eyebrow before settling down on the ground.

I smiled at the other kid and made a mental note to give him extra chocolates. 

"Apu,can I use your makeup?" My teenage cousin asked as she fixed the flower band on her head.

"Feel free." I patted the flowers on her head, "These are so pretty."

Her face lit up with joy at my compliment and she grinned in response, "Thanks! "

✨

I was called out to the living room as my mom introduced me to some of her childhood friends with whom she had recently reconnected with.

I recognized most of the aunties but one of them seemed unfamiliar.

She walked forward and hugged me,
"Mashallah, Maha's grown up so much! Last time we met, you were so little."

I smiled back awkwardly not knowing what else to say and glanced at ammu for help.

"Obviously Maria, it's been years since we met after all!"

"True, how time flies." Maria auntie shook her head with a smile as if she was thinking of some past memory.

"What are you studying now my dear?" She turned her gaze back to me.

"I just started my first year of University."

"Oh, then you must have just turned  21  na? My son is in his last year of medical school."

Once again I nodded politely and smiled not knowing how to reply.

"You must be wondering how I guessed your age." Maria aunty laughed, "That's because my son's birthday is just one week before yours. Remember Asha?"

My mother nodded and chuckled,
"Of course! I remember that time we held their birthday parties one day after the other. Obviously the kids won't remember since they were so young after all. Speaking of kids - where's your children? I asked you to bring them along!"

"My daughter had an engagement at her in law's place. Otherwise she was really excited to meet you after so many years. As for my son, he should be here soon. We started together but midway I realized I forgot to bring any snacks along. But I also didn't want to be late so I got off at your house and sent him to buy some food."

"Maria ! There was no need for such formalities. You're making me feel like I'm a stranger." Ammu shook her head, "Plus the Bechara boy has to go back again."

"It's no trouble at all. And don't worry about Isahaq . In fact it was him who reminded me that I forgot to bring something along."

"Mashallah, he's grown up to be such a fine young man." Ammu praised Maria aunty's son and the ladies continued talking while I was swept away by my grandma as she needed help with something.

✨

I was helping Nanu plate the dishes in the kitchen.

The special intricately designed glass silverware had been taken out for the happy occasion.

The glimmering vessels were filled with different varieties of mouth watering dishes like biryani, beef curry, chicken tandoori and parathas.

The aroma wafting around the atmosphere made me want to take a bite of the food right this instant but Nanu swatted my hands away.

"Patience, dear."

She scooped up a spoon of shemai which was still shimmering on the stove and blew on the hot dessert before bringing the spoon to my mouth.

I gladly tasted the sweet dish and grinned in approval, " Yum, it's perfect ! "

"Hmm, I added extra sugar for you." Nanu's lips curved upwards knowingly as she continued stirring the pot containing the shemai.

The sound of the doorbell ringing cut through the air.

"Get the door, Maha."

I obeyed Nanu's command and wiped my hands on a paper towel before leaving the kitchen and scurrying through the living room towards the hallway. I sidestepped the hoard of shoes resting against the wall and stretched my arm forward to remove the lock.

Just as I opened the door, my gaze fell upon a tall silhouette clad in a green Punjabi  who had his back turned around.

The guy in green turned around and our eyes met.

I subconsciously noted his appearance.

The Punjabi hugged his lean physique and he had jet black, messy hair falling on his forehead as his caramel brown eyes scanned the background as if he was looking for someone.

The sleeves of his Punjabi were rolled up and I noticed his right hand was holding a small plastic bag with the words "meena sweets" engraved on it.

As our gaze met again, his lips parted and a deep voice asked
"Assalamualaikum - Hi, is this Asha aunty's house?"

⭐

Hope you liked this Eidi from my side.
Would really appreciate it if you guys share your thoughts in the comments and give me Eidi in the form of pressing that star in the bottom left corner (:

Thanks for reading - A.M.K

Also,

I know the majority of the readers probably know this but for those who don't, here's some little translations:

Assalamualaikum - peace be upon you ( Islamic greeting)

Alhamdulillah - praise to be/thanks be to god

Allah Hafiz -  Good-bye/ May god protect

Hijab - headscarf worn by Muslim women

Punjabi - ( as seen in the picture in the beginning)  traditional Desi men's clothing