“Jeet, when will you book the ticket?” Surushri’s voice danced with excitement.

“Today,” Prafuljeet replied from the other side of her phone, “I think flight’s at 1 AM India-time, day-after-tomorrow. Will send the details!”

“Nine long years! This will be our first Deepawali together. Can’t wait to see you, love!”

“And I can’t wait to hold my beautiful wife in my arms,” he teased warmly, “What should I bring for you, Suru?”

“Nothing! Just come home!”

Surushri hung-up and started preparing for her evening ritual of lighting diyas at the nearby temple, her only sanctuary during sad times of loneliness.

Suru loved Jeet deeply, yet his family loomed over their happiness.

His brother Ishaansh, sister-in-law Priya, sister Tanvi and their single-father, were parasitic-slackers, always guilt-tripping Prafuljeet, manipulating him to sacrifice his needs for theirs, even at the expanse of Jeet and Suru’s married life.

Prafuljeet called again, sounding troubled. “Papa just called for money. Uncle Rawat’s son is getting married and has asked for help. Since Papa has committed, I’ll have to send money, immediately. I won’t be able to come for Diwali.”

Surushri’s heart sank. “I understand,” she responded.

It hurt to see how his blind loyalty turned him into an ‘Emotional-fool,’ clinging to the hope that his family’s love was genuine.

In the temple courtyard, Surushri poured her heart out to the divine as her tears streamed like a river!

“He loves them blindly, and they’re destroying him. Please help!”

Suddenly, air thickened! The powerful presence enveloped her.

From the sacred flames, Lakshmi-Ganesha emerged.

“We heard your prayers, child. Your husband’s heart is pure but clouded by love for those who deceive him. He must see the truth!”

They handed her a ‘Magic-diya.’

“For Diwali ritual, prepare your Kajal with this Diya. When he applies it, truth shall reveal itself! Don’t worry, he will come home.”

With final blessings, the deities vanished, leaving Surushri clinged to the ‘Magic-diya.’

Back there, Prafulljeet struggled with money transfer. Frustrated, as it repeatedly failed! Just before trying again, his phone beeped.

"Hey Jeet, about the money for my wedding. PLEASE DON’T SEND ANY. Your father’s been insisting and pushing too much. Believe me, we don’t need any money! Felt it necessary to inform you!

Satyeesh (Rawatji’s son)."

With a mix of surprise and shock, Jeet hesitated, yet promptly, booked his ticket.

Suru prepared the Kajal using her ‘Magic-Diya’ and handed it to Jeet. As part of the Diwali ritual, he gently applied some to his eyes.

Suddenly, his calmness turned to astonishment. Flashbacks from the past played like a vivid movie reel, showing him the harsh reality, he had been ignorant to.

Prafulljeet gasped as the truth of greed, manipulation, and deceit, unravelled before his eyes. He staggered back, gripping the sides of his head, the weight of years of exploitation crashing down. Tears poured uncontrollably!

Suru rushed to his side and wrapped her arms around Jeet. With the ‘Kajal’s magic,’ the destructive blindfold of love and loyalty had finally lifted.