It's That Special Time of the Year

Come June and I think about: term exams, summer and of course, my birthday!

Like everybody else, I've always loved my birthday. When I was young and since we had to wear uniforms to school, I treasured the day when I got to wear 'color dress', choose that special 'friend' and go around distributing chocolates. My birthdays were spent with family then. I'd cut some cake with friends/relatives and then we'd have a grand dinner afterward.

Then there was the first time I celebrated my birthday without my family: I was 19 (during my first year of college). Even though I was feeling really blue, my friends cheered me up and we celebrated it with a lot of pomp so that I didn't miss my folks too much.

Now I fondly think of all those surprise parties I had in the past. A particular one stands out: I going with Reena to ChicKing at Cochin, expecting to meet a new friend, and getting a party instead. The funny part was that when my friends jumped out from behind the counters and started singing, I thought they were singing for Reena. I didn't get it that they were in fact singing for me. :D

My 23rd birthday was the weirdest of them all. That day, I was irritated because my sister chose an Aerosmith concert over me (ok, maybe I'd do the same) and my friends was ignoring me the whole day. So I organized a dinner with my then-new colleagues. But during dinner, my friends surprised me by showing up. Yes, I fell for the oldest trick in the book. :| Anywho, they presented me with a diamond pendant. I still wear that pendant to this day. :)

The day before I turned 24, I was feeling a bit lonely in Bangalore because my sister-cum-roommie was away living in Tokyo for a long time and my best friend had just left the city for her higher studies. I had finished moving into a new apartment. I was tired and unhappy. A lil bit of self pity was thrown in as well. Anyways, I had just got into bed when at 11:50 pm, I got a call from Saneef.

'Hey. Come on downstairs and meet me at the front gate', Saneef said.

'What? Now?' I asked.

'Yeah. Come downstairs now.'

So I was like, Ok. He wants to wish me before heading home for the night.

When I got out to see him, he said, 'Ok, get into the car. We're going someplace.'

'You're kidding, right?'

'No. Just get in. We're going to Trissul (the guys' hangout place). It will be fun.'

So I did, thinking that I was going to my friends' place for my birthday. I was already feeling touched when Saneef suddenly stopped the car in front of the Leela Palace.

'We're here', he said.

I was shocked. 'You're joking, right? I'm in my PJs!'

Now, folks, we're not talking about any normal set of PJs. We're talking about a piece of rag that I have been clinging onto since the age of 14. No matter how much my friends, sister and even my mom coaxed me, I could never throw that damn thing away. And I went to the Leela in that rag.

But I quickly overcame my embarrassment when I saw my friends. Oh my, I was felt so special! My friends, along with my best friend who came back to Bangalore only for my birthday, gathered around to sing 'Happy Birthday'. It was a wonderful start to a wonderful day, and I loved my friends more than ever for that.

Last year, I had 3 birthday parties: one with my college mates, one with my sister and room mates and another one with my close friends from work. The ones with my colleagues was hilarious. I, as usual, least expected it, and we went to Kyra, the dining+live theater lounge. I can't go too much into the details right now, but let's just say that I have never laughed so hard... and neither have my friends. :) The other parties were also a lot of fun. Can you imagine me with 3 birthday cakes? I was in heaven. :D

This year, I spent my birthday in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I had a major assignment to finish so I couldn't properly relax. But I thank my new room mates that they tried to make it a special day anyway. :)

Well, more news later.