MY SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTIES
The last time I wrote about the surprise
birthday party of my daughter, she said,” Mom, That’s not fair! We also give
your surprise birthday parties and successfully manage to keep the surprise
element. Why don’t you consider that?”
“Sure!” I thought, "Except that I am fully aware of the surprise!" I started
recalling the surprise birthday parties arranged by my family for me.
I recalled my birthday few years back, with my
family preparing for a surprise party for me which I was fully aware of. After all, how can a lady not be aware of any activity going on in the house? More so,
it’s a simple guess when the “Jani Dushman” kids talk to each other in
whispering tones and the irritated father is trying hard to abstain from
scolding the children for stupid ideas! One or two days before, the kids demanded their long overdue
pocket money and I readily agreed. Even my husband demanded two thousand
rupees (we were not much used to plastic money then), to which I thought,” only two thousand rupees! Can’t he bring a more
expensive suit?” But the surprise dharma stopped me from expressing my
emotions!
On the D day (sorry, Birthday), I
had barely left the office rehearsing in my mind my part to appear fully
surprised on entering the home, when I got a call from my husband. On knowing
that I had already started, he told me,” please don’t come just now!”
“Where would I go now? I am already
in the car!”
“I don’t know, but please delay
your arrival!”
I asked the driver to stop at a
departmental store and spent some time in unnecessary shopping. After buying
some useless stuff I headed back home, but again got a call from him to delay my arrival. This time I didn’t pay any heed to it and told
him plainly that I was about to reach. Upon reaching home, I was dragged into
my room by my husband to gain some more time for preparation. Finally, after few minutes of wait, I was called in the decorated drawing room. I also dutifully played my part, showing the expressions
of surprise and thanking all. All the high calorie stuff was served with full
excitement and the kids kept seeking confirmation again and again that
I had no idea about the party.
As kids grew up, the level of
surprise also had to be higher, so the midnight surprise birthday parties came
into picture! As a kid I always considered myself to be a great actor, but
never got a chance to prove it, which I get on my birthdays now.
Now the tragedy about these
birthday parties starts when the trio tries to manage all the things without my
help. I am sure leave apart small stuff, if we even had an elephant in our
house, my husband and kids would not be able to locate it without my help. So, its
fun watching them struggle in an effort to manage things without my help.
I remember the party 3-4 years back. I was sure that they
had forgotten my birthday, until the previous evening, my son told that he needed some
maps for his homework, which my husband agreed to bring without any fuss.
“Thank God, they at least remember!” I thought. After some time, my son came
and told me that Papa had called to tell that the maps were not available in
the nearby market, so he had to go farther. “Perfectly normal!” I thought,” it
takes time to go to Nick bakers, and I appreciate him for not being lazy bringing
it from the nearby bakery!”
I made it a point not to step out
of my room, though I noticed the sound of telephone ring followed by opening of
door without the door bell ringing. After few minutes, the doorbell rang and my
husband came acting being irritated for having to go to the market to
bring the maps.
While acting to sleep, I noticed
that it was already 5 minutes past twelve and there was no “hulchul”. I
tried to feel the sounds but there was no sound except the sound of snoring of
my husband. I felt confused whether my jaasoosi mind had failed
and they actually didn’t remember. My fears were not false but were deep rooted
from the past, as once that actually all of them had
forgotten my birthday! Though I was not expecting midnight party at that time
but nobody wished me in the morning. It was only when my sister’s call was
picked up by my son who was totally shaken on being asked whether he had wished
happy birthday to Mom. All attempts for seeking my kshamadaan by
the trio were killed by me as my mood was totally spoilt. After hours of
pleadings, I had accepted their apologies and celebrations were made in the
evening. I am not sure, but may be, these midnight parties might be the
repercussion of the Raudra roop shown by me that day! “Do I again
need to show the same Raudra roop tomorrow, if they don’t wish me
in the morning!” I started thinking.
Ten minutes past twelve and I
even considered of checking the refrigerator for the cake. After all, why stay
awake if there was no surprise party? (Later, it was revealed that all of them had
actually fallen asleep while acting to sleep)
Suddenly the sounds of snoring stopped
and my husband went out of the room proving that there still was hope for the
surprise party. But he came back after few minutes and lied down. Then there
were sounds from the kitchen making me believe that the poor girl was assigned
the task of arrangements for cake cutting. I felt like going and asking her if
she needed any help. Suddenly there was a big sound and I feared: what if she had dropped the cake? My Blood
pressure started rising as I imagined the scene of messed up floor. I wondered
if the surprise party had to start with the scolding Mom and weeping daughter!
I even felt like going and telling her the whereabouts of the poor half lit candle, which had been
fulfilling its duty for the last so many surprise birthday parties ( though one of the most important things, the last thing
we remember to bring is a candle during these surprise parties)
But I kept on playing my part and
asked my husband,” go and see if there is a mouse in the kitchen!”
“The sound is coming from the top
floor flat” he assured me.
I kept on killing time by
rehearsing my lines until finally at 00:30; the discordant chorus singing happy
birthday song entered the room and woke me up (????)
During cake cutting ceremony, all
of them boasted about how perfectly they had planned without giving me even a
hint of what was in for me. The situation started getting tense as now all
could talk openly and started blaming each other for the delay.
The party ended happily with cake
cutting ceremony followed by vote of thanks by me. While delivering vote of
thanks I told them,” I agree that I feel upset if you forget my birthday, but
it is equally difficult to lie down guessing about the party! Also, I feel irritated watching you
people committing mistakes after mistakes and still keep silent! So, from next
year, better make me a part of your plans and tell me of any help needed from my side for this surprise birthday party!”
He he he.. No life without family :)
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