Lost and Found

I was in the veranda, waiting for my daughters to arrive Cocoa too was eagerly waiting. Suddenly, he ran and tore after the goats in the bungalow compound barking. He just doesn’t have an idea about when to stop wagging. He is a full-bodied dog with a well-developed chest, serene, dignified and calm when with us. He has a long graceful head and a square muzzle. The ears are long and feathered giving him a regal appearance. With his golden and silky coat, he has a dashing personality. But he turns into a brat when the girls are here for the holidays.

As the car entered the bungalow, Cocoa’s joy knew no bounds. He leapt from the veranda towards the car, racing, dashing towards the vehicle circling around it frantically. Slobbering and licking the girls’ faces as they disembarked the car. He nibbled at their sleeves and their jeans. He welcomed them inside the house showing off, leading them into their room. He is their hot water bottle, especially during winter vacation. He barks at anything and anyone new. He puts his paws on the lap of the girls, urging them to take him for walks. It’s amazing to see how they understand each other.

Whenever my daughters were away and I would be curled up on my recliner with a perfectly brewed cup of tea partnering it with some cakes, catching up on a movie, he would have his doggy eyes fixed on me.  Twitching his eyebrows from side to side, he would lie on the floor with his paws stretched forward and head resting like the statue of Trafalgar lion. I would generally ignore him and dig deep into the guilty pleasures. Anyone who knows canine nature need not be told that they are one of the most pleasant beggars in the world. After drooling for his share of titbits, he would be up and about and I knew that he would be having, healthy thoughts of long walks on the lush green grass. As I would rise, he too wagging his tail would jump and take victory laps with his droopy ears flapping. He would pull on the leash desperately for every single outing of his. He would want to explore and sniff all over. I could never ever move as quickly as he could. This was our usual evening ritual. He is the apple of the eye of not only us but the bungalow staff as well. Oh! How they spoil him silly.

The next day the executives and their families were all gathered for the Diwali party, dressed up in their finest traditional attires. It was a pleasure to see the children enjoying firecrackers, gleefully clapping their hands as fireworks burst to sear the brilliant light and vivacious colour onto our eyes. Each firework would draw a unique and breathtaking pattern into the sky, never to be repeated exactly- no matter how many were ignited and sent to their sky bound destiny. The air had a tincture of gunpowder. Along the entrance of the bungalow, hundreds of diyas flickered with the gentle breeze. The bungalow was sparkling and illuminated well. The tradition of the tea gardens is to make rangoli together, cook sweets and festive dishes. After all, celebrations are all about being together.

As the bursting of fireworks had almost come to an end, I walked into the puja room to hand over the sweet offerings (Prasad) to all the guests before the main course was laid, to see Cocoa huddled in the corner lonely, though the girls had been checking on him on and off. This wasn’t among one of his favourite celebrations.

Not finding the box of sweets in the room, I assumed that the bearer had already placed the sweets on the crystal tray to be served. I instructed him to do so. He stared speechless for a moment and then uneasily uttered-ji?! - All the kitchen staff seemed completely nonplussed by my askance.  They mumbled that the sweet box was not brought into the kitchen.

Somewhat puzzled, I regained my composure and rechecked the elaborate meal on the table. My husband whispered, “are you saving the sweet offerings for later?”  Perplexed I said, “perhaps it has been misplaced”. He gaped at me with reprimanding eyes and let it go at that. Despite all of us choosing to make the evening last, it did come to an end. After goodbyes, I asked my daughters about the sweets. They too seemed clueless. Though I had been feeling connected to the supreme power, for the past few days, but this was too good to be true- that God himself has had the sweets?

Cocoa snorted happily and bounded forward. He was delighted to have all of us for the evening walk, the next day. Soon though, the cat was out of the bag! Or rather the cardboard pieces were out of the dog! Though he had digested the whole lot of pedas (sweets), the mystery was finally unravelled!