Confusion of fasts

It was the day of Sankashti Chaturthi. Just like every time I was fasting that day. I had sat at my desk working while having fresh fruits.

While working, from the corner of my eyes I saw one of my colleagues, Nidhi. She had been looking pretty that day. She was wearing a beautiful traditional red outfit. She had been wearing the bangles. She was wearing long and big dangling earrings. She had applied vermillion too. No wonder her traditional Desi look suited her. I found it unusual because Nidhi would always be dressed up in a western attire. Nonetheless this change was pleasing.

I waved at Nidhi and she smiled. She approached my desk for a small talk. While speaking I told her that she looked incredibly gorgeous that day. Nidhi blushed but happily accepted the compliments and said, "I am fasting today, that is why I thought of dressing up".

I was surprised to hear that from Nidhi. I did not know she too used to fast on Sankashti Chaturthi. I said, "same girl. I am fasting too. Would you like to eat some fruits?" I offered the fruits to her thinking she would want to have them as well.

Nidhi looked confused. She paused before telling me, "no I would not have anything today. I will eat only after seeing the moon tonight".

I admired her dedication with which she had been fasting. It is a custom to consume dinner only after seeing the moon and hence her justification felt believable to me. I appreciated her for her dedication. Nidhi looked confused but she went back to her desk.

Later in the afternoon Nidhi approached me. I had not gone for lunch because I was just having fruits that day. Nidhi sad next to me and asked, "may I ask you something? I hope you will not get offended by it".

I could not understand why she was hesitant to ask me. I told her to ask me freely.

She was fidgeting with the Dupatta while asking me the question, " this fast is for married women. Why are you fasting when you are unmarried? I do not mean to offend you. I was just curious".

Now I got completely baffled by that statement. I was told by my parents that anybody could fast on Sankashti Chaturthi. This was the very first instance when somebody had told me that this fast was exclusively for married women. I explained her my thoughts. Also told her that both of my parents first on this day.

Nidhi and I had been looking at each other with confusion. Both of us did not have the clarity of what had been going on. Finally she asked me the burning question, "what are you fasting for?"

"Sankashti Chaturthi, a fast for worshipping Ganapati bappa," I replied, "are you fasting for the same?"

"No, for me it is Karva chauth, a fast for my husband's health and longevity," she replied.

There was a pause for 5 seconds. Then both of us bursted out laughing. A cultural assumption created a confusion that became a private joke between us. Irrespective of the purpose of the fast we both concluded that we were on a good path towards our devotion.