Birthdays are joyous days of life that make you realise that you have been triumphant in fighting to live one year full. Birthdays are celebration of your identity and individuality. You are made to feel special the same way as a newly anointed King who has succeded a mighty predecessor. You would have guessed how important birthdays are for me...Coming from a close-knit family whose mother has captured the changing visages of his son every single year in a photo album that though has lost its lustre, yet still hold a characteristic charm with dollops of emotions and selfless love embalmed within...Coming from a family whose father never forgot to happily loosen his wallet and buy him the most expensive clothes from the most expensive shops and throwing a massive party at home with the number of invitees on a rapidly increasing mode & more importantly finding time for his son just to make him special...(I really miss you Dad)..
The reason for highlighting the feelings attached to my birthdays is not oblivious because my special day was nearing. I was terribly disturbed as I was all alone in Mumbai. I was sure I will have a tough time controlling my mind which would be tossing amidst plaintive sea of turbulence. Prasun(my team mate) is a mysteriously simple person who's always headed towards pulling your leg without giving you a slightest hint about it. He believes in living life "kingsize". Sona is a peron who's always keen on brushing away the blues off my shoulders either by telling things that I love to hear or expressing decent gestures of gratitude and love. But I did'nt had the faintest idea that when both of them are teamed up, they can fool anyone and everyone. I was their recent Bakra. Sona told that she wanted to speak to Prasun as he is one of my best friends I have. One afternoon post lunch, I was idly gosipping with her, and I asked whether she would like to speak to Prasun. She agreed. Their sweet conspiracy against me germinated then. On the eve of my birthday, Prasun told me that his astronomical powers were pointing towards some evil omen..so he warned me not to venture outside my home once I step in. Also he did not forget to remind me to leave office early. I did pay heed to his scares and did leave office early. I also made it a point to buy all the necessary things that need to be taken to office on my birthday. This is one side of the story. Sona, on the other hand, told me to leave early as Navratri had begun and traffic will be high.. I appreciated her and praised her about the concern that she had for me and also proudly told her that perhaps she knows Mumbai better than me as of now. I could'nt establish a link between these seemingly familiar advice. Few days back, Sona asked for my residential address telling that her father needed it. I was so happy that I thought that perhaps she wanted to post a sweet surprise in form of a birthday card or a letter. I obliged and forgot.
On the eve, I reached home early by 8' o clock paying heed to Prasun's warnings. I was feeling so low both emotionally and physically. I preferred taking a small sleep and kept thinking of all the last birthdays..Last October I was home. Sona gave such a sweet surprise by celebrating my birthday at her place. She gave me the idea to do the same at my place. Dad was unwell and was also saddened as my days were nearing to go back to Mumbai. I got the birthday cake myself and decorated the place and called everyone to that room..Wow...the experience was divine..(I am sorry Sona for divulging this secret as she thought that my parents might feel guilty of not celebrating my birthday, the way I did!!). I am sure Dad must be smiling away and blessing Sona from the door of Heaven..(Dad bless u..Sona)..
While I was busy recollecting these golden moments of my life, there was a knock at the door. My room-mate came hurling towards me and told me that some parcel has come and so he needs my signature. I was talking to Sona then. With great amaze and confusion, I reached to the door finding a huge splendid bouquet of red roses & white tulips beautifully draped with yellow ribbons. Sona was still on the phone. I told her that some bouquet has come and I will call you later. I was mad at that delivery guy..kept making wierd guesses..I thought it was Prasun, who stays at Malad. He told me that this bouquet was ordered from Vikhroli. My brains stopped functioning. I again called up Sona. I was excited and happy.
My diffused cells got reinvigorated and energised. It felt as if I was smoothly carried away from the dent of depression and was transformed into a world of happiness. I told Sona that I am not able to guess who's taken the pain to gift such an invaluable gift like this on my special day..She bluntly told me to look at the card pinned on the flowers...Now I could sense something was wrong..It read 'To my sweetheart (Rishi) Love Sonu'..I was sitting like a dumb fool and rings of tears covered my "drowsy" eyes and then I thanked God for bestowing me with such a special life partner like her. She then opened up the entire idea and told me that Prasun was the man who executed this "Bakra act"...Later, I came to know that Atul, another sweet friend of mine who is in my office was also involved in this prank..God I thank you from the pit of my heart for bestowing me with such wonderful friends..They really made my day so special..Now I had no doubts that my birthday will be a memorable one like all birthdays....And yes, my birthday went on great..Moral of the story: NEVER TRUST YOUR FRIENDS ENTIRELY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR BIRTHDAY IS APPROACHING
Guys, one more thing, now you could have guessed why was I warned not to venture out from my home..coz if I was not there and the delivery guy would have left the bouquet outside, then perhaps it would have served as a flowery dinner for the hungry doggies of my apartment!!!!!(This was Prasun's point of view..No slangs please...Now stop...this is what he thought....His number is 09323059858......)
