The festive mood had fully set in Kolkata with the start of the Durga Puja (also known as Dussehra or Navratri in other parts of the country). Dull grey monsoon clouds had given way to bright blue sky. There was a slight nip in the air in the mornings, signalling the arrival of pleasant winter days ahead. It was the 2nd day of the Pujas and I was sitting on the balcony of my house in south Kolkata, enjoying my cup of tea. My sister, who stays in the suburbs, had come with her kids, to stay with us for the Puja holidays. She and the missus were talking loudly, planning about evening outings, saris, and so on. My nephews were creating a racket in the living room, drowning out even the sound of the loudspeakers from the nearby Puja pandal. It was quite a din, but I was not perturbed. After all it was ‘the Pujas’ .I looked around myself and felt quite happy . I have lived in this city for so many years, and yet, I cannot not fathom how it totally transforms into a fairy tale land during the four days of Durga Puja. There was an air of joviality everywhere and my house was no exception. I could not help but recall, how a demon had come very close in destroying this happiness in my household. It was the first Durga Puja season after my marriage. My sister, like every year came to my place, along with her kids. But I could sense that my wife was not very happy with this . “This is difficult .I was planning to invite some of my friends” my wife hissed at me. “What’s the