Running in meandering lines along the street, next to lit up buildings and stray firecrackers.

Laughing, sometimes genuinely and other times in a fake hollow manner, amidst family and food. Hugging and grinning and being happy. In the end, the happy times drowned out the hollow voices.

Lying on the bed and watching the lights and lamps on nearby buildings flickering, casting long and mildly pretty shadows on us.

Coming home to a building with big blue lanterns and orange lights; a staircase with oil lamps and candles at every doorstep.

Then eventually giving in to sleep, with inexplicable dreams of bats, food and second degree burns, to the background of crackers and cheer.