“Adilakshmi!” I waved in excitement as I spotted Adilakshmi, Nagavalli, and Balli playing on the riverbank.

It was Vinayaka Chavithi, and our little group of friends had gathered there to wish each other and spend some time together. Amma had asked Anna to take me along so that I could return home on time for the evening pooja.

As soon as Anna stopped the bicycle, the three of them came running toward me.

“Why are you late?” Adilakshmi asked, her hands on her waist.

“Happy Vinayaka Chavithi!” Nagavalli said warmly, greeting both of us.

“Amma was making veedi garelu,Adi, so it took a while,” I said, opening my small pouch to show them.

“Today we made undralu for Ganesha at home,” Balli said, proudly offering his pouch.

“Anna, come… sit with us. Let’s all share prasadam,” Nagavalli welcomed.

We slowly settled down on the soft sand, passing around the pouches and tasting each other’s prasadam.

Laughter and chatter filled the air among us, as Anna sat shaping a clay Ganapati with so much care. When he gently placed it near the flowing river, we all watched silently. The little idol soon dissolved and washed away with the water… but that moment stayed with us forever.