chapter 9

The sound of distant garba music filled the air as Navratri kicked off in full swing. Aarti’s balcony was adorned with strings of marigold flowers, and a small corner held a neatly arranged puja setup with a clay idol of Goddess Durga. She had spent the morning decorating, the aroma of incense mingling with the faint scent of marigolds.  Kabir, curious as always, leaned over the divider. "Wow, Mehta, your balcony’s looking festive. Planning a garba night here?"  Aarti turned to him with a smile. "Not quite. This is my Navratri setup. You know, for the puja and aartis every day."  "Navratri puja, huh?" Kabir said, looking impressed. "You really go all out, don’t you?"  "It’s tradition," Aarti said, adjusting a diya. "Navratri is a big deal for us Gujaratis. Fasting, praying, dancing—it’s all part of the vibe."  Kabir chuckled. "Dancing I get. But fasting? Don’t tell me you’re surviving on just fruits and nuts."  "Actually," Aarti said, placing her hands on her hips, "I’m fasting *and* cooking. I just made some sabudana khichdi and coconut ladoos for prasad. Want some?"  Kabir raised an eyebrow. "Wait, I’m a hardcore non-vegetarian, and you’re offering me prasad? Are you sure I qualify?"  Aarti laughed. "Of course, you qualify. Prasad isn’t about who eats it. It’s about sharing blessings. Besides, you might actually like it."  "Alright, I’m game," Kabir said, intrigued. "Hit me with your best Navratri special."  Aarti disappeared into her apartment and returned with a small plate. On it were neatly arranged coconut ladoos, a bowl of sabudana khichdi, and a small piece of apple. She passed it over the railing with a smile.  Kabir took the plate, sniffing the ladoo first. "Hmm, smells nice. What’s in this?"  "Coconut, jaggery, and cardamom," Aarti explained. "It’s sweet but not overpowering."  He took a bite, his eyes widening slightly. "Okay, this is good. Like, really good. You sure you’re not secretly a dessert chef?"  "Positive," Aarti said, laughing. "And wait till you try the khichdi."  Kabir scooped up some of the sabudana khichdi, his expression turning thoughtful as he chewed. "This… isn’t bad," he admitted. "I mean, it’s not butter chicken, but it’s got a nice, comforting vibe. Light, nutty, and not too spicy."  Aarti grinned. "That’s the magic of fasting food. Simple yet satisfying."  "I’ll give you that," Kabir said, polishing off the plate. "But I still don’t get how you survive nine days without any proper meals."  "It’s not just about the food," Aarti said, her tone softening. "Navratri is about discipline and devotion. It’s a way to reconnect with our culture, our roots. And honestly, the garba nights make up for everything."  "Ah, the famous garba nights," Kabir said, leaning on the railing. "So, do you go all out with the chaniya choli and those fancy dandiyas?"  "Of course!" Aarti said, her eyes lighting up. "It’s the best part. The music, the energy, the community - it’s magical. Have you ever been to a proper garba night?"  "Once," Kabir admitted. "Back in college. A friend dragged me, and I spent the whole time trying not to trip over my own feet."  Aarti burst out laughing. "Garba isn’t that hard! It’s just a rhythm. You probably overthought it."  "Probably," Kabir said with a grin. "But hey, maybe you can teach me. I could use a pro to guide me."  "Me? Teach you?" Aarti asked, pretending to look horrified. "I don’t think you can handle my level of expertise, Singh."  "Oh, come on," Kabir said, laughing. "Give me a chance. I’ll even bring snacks."  "Snacks, huh?" Aarti said thoughtfully. "Okay, deal. But only if you promise not to laugh if you mess up."  "Deal," Kabir said, holding out his hand dramatically.  The two of them laughed. As the night deepened, the two neighbors sat on their adjoining balconies, their conversation flowing as easily as the garba tunes in the background. For Aarti, it felt good to share a piece of her culture. For Kabir, it was an unexpected but welcome glimpse into a world he hadn’t fully explored.  And somewhere between the ladoos and the laughter, their friendship took yet another step forward.. To be continue...