That feeling of being little kids, dressed in itchy finery, going to people’s home to wish them a Happy Diwali. Why did our parents ever put us through that? When we could be home, blissfully sitting in the comfort of our own razai and watching TV? But no, here we were, being taken everywhere and politely smiling as our parents were given the option to have chai or coffee as we did an inward eye-roll (something every desi kid had perfected). Until we were offered badaam milk at someone’s house. That was a game-changer! Robust, delicious, and oh-so-classy – who didn’t want badam milk? We’d remember the homes that offered that good stuff and made sure to visit with mom and dad year after year. To this day, the folks think we genuinely liked some aunties and uncles more than the others. The truth, turns out, is just nuts; almonds in this case!

Features