From some distance away, our building looks enveloped in haze. A little puzzling. But soon enough we realise it comes from the fireworks the building kids are setting off in our compound. Lovely, photogenic sight, even through the haze. Small candle in the corner.
Kids wave sparklers about.
A phooljhadi erupts in a waterfall of soft sparks and paints a joyous glow on excited childrens' faces. Hope and joy and good times. And here, tucked away in this other corner of this freeze-frame, is just the perfect exclamation point to this gorgeous Diwali scene. Some more kids, standing outside our gate, their faces pressed against its bars, their slim bodies silhouetted by the glow from the phooljhadi. Kids of the workers from the next-door construction site, most in dusty rags, peering in on the celebrations in our building.