A Red-letter Birthday!

A Red-letter Birthday!

I came to the living room and exclaimed, “Wow!”. The room was decorated with lavender and white balloons. Pink and purple swirls were hanging in symmetry. A huge ‘Happy Birthday’ banner was tied. The centre table had a lovely 2 tier mouth-watering cake, with a candle saying “11”. A large table with spread of birthday snacks – multicoloured cupcakes, pasta, noodles, variety of breads, chips, waffles – yummy! All my friends and family were waiting for me to come in so that they could surprise me with this lovely Birthday Décor. When I stepped in, they all screamed at once “Happy Birthday”. My eyes were gleaming with happiness….  And suddenly, I heard someone call out my name aloud, tapping on my shoulder. I turned around, it was my mom asking me to get up and take a bath. Ah! It was a dream.

I got up from my bed. My mom kissed my forehead and wished me ‘a very happy birthday’. I touched her feet to seek her blessings. She gave me a lovely lavender princess frock and asked me to get ready soon. I did what my mom said. I was eager to know about my 11^th birthday party, its theme, where would it be, who all were invited. I was totally excited.

I saw mom and dad waiting for me in the living room. My dad hugged me and wished me a long life. I sought his blessings too. All that was going on my mind, was, “Guys speak out please, what’s in for me today?”. And my mom said, “Now that you are 11 years old, your dad and me have decided that we won’t have a party.” I was broken hearted. “Why are you doing this to me? And then why have you made me dress-up? It’s my birthday, I have all rights to have fun!” - all of this going on, in my mind.

My parents asked me to get in the car. The car was already out of the garage. Dad was loading the final box in the boot. There were already 3-4 boxes in there. One had a label – Baby clothes, second one said – Toys, third one said – Books, fourth one – Sweets and chocolates. I wasn’t even interested in what all this was. I hadn’t received any gift for my birthday, apart from the dress I was wearing. I just sat in the car. I was quiet, didn’t utter a word. But was sulking through-out the way.

We reached our destination in about 45 mins. The car stopped. I got down and saw a school like building. There was a board saying “Shelter – Orphanage”. Why had my parents brought me here? To this unknown place! Am I celebrating my birthday here? With unknown people? ......We were greeted by the head of the Orphanage, Mr. Gokhale. There were two more ladies who smiled at me and wished me. “Welcome”, they said.

They took us to a big hall. There were kids already sitting, waiting for us to arrive. All the kids were neatly dressed. I could see their smiling and eager faces, all looking at me. I felt a bit uncomfortable. Mr. Gokhale introduced all of us to these kids. The two ladies, Miss Lata and Miss Asha asked me to step forward. All the kids sang the ‘birthday song’ for me. Some had made beautiful cards wishing me happiness, luck, health, wealth etc… Some had brought flowers picked from the orphanage garden. Some just came and shook my hand. I was happy but confused. I really didn’t know what to say or reply. Then my parents asked me to distribute the sweets, chocolates and gifts that were packed in the boxes. All the kids were so delighted and overjoyed to receive the gifts. They thanked me again and again. There were no balloons, no banners, no swirls, no music, no cake, but all I could see was, a convivial wave spread in the hall. Everything was glowing and radiant. My dispirited face suddenly changed into a smiling face. It was an effortless change.

Mr. Gokhale took us to the baby’s section of the orphanage. There were 10 babies in different cradles. Some were very tiny, some were may be about 6-8 months old. Some were sleeping, some were staring at the fans, some had milk bottles in their mouth, some just making absurd sounds. My mom handover the ‘baby clothes’ labelled box to Miss Asha. I asked her, “How did all the babies end up here?”. I got to know that some of them were abandoned by their parents, some were found on road, railway track-sides, some were brought in after death of their parents etc. “So, the babies don’t know who their parents are?”, I asked. “They don’t”, she replied. “It’s the same case with all the children here”, she added. “Do they know their birthdates?”, I asked. “No dear, everybody celebrates their birthday together, on a common day”, she said. “How do you celebrate?”, I asked again. “They cut a common birthday cake, they wish each other, all of us sing, eat and enjoy”, Miss Asha said. “Oh! That’s unfair”, I thought, “how can you not know your birthday? Birthdays are our own, how can you have a common birthday?  How can you not celebrate it, throwing grand parties? All these questions were queuing up in my mind. I looked at my parents. They had a wide smile of satisfaction on their face.

Now I realised, why my parents had brought me here. I was unhappy because I didn’t get to celebrate one of my birthdays in a lavish way. Here the kids are happy and contented with a common celebration too! They have absolutely no fancy demands. They were happy with the sweets and chocolates we gave away. They didn’t even argue ‘why am I not getting a blue car or why am I not getting a pink dress doll?’, ‘why am I just getting a single bar of chocolate, why am I getting a 5-star and not a silk?’.

I was upset with myself, for my childish behaviour and my unreasonable anger. I should be happy that I got to celebrate 10 birthdays with my friends and family the way I wanted to. I was showered with gifts, blessings and love. And above all I have loving parents and I know my real birthdate. I was teary-eyed. I gave a tight hug to my parents.

I thanked each and everyone present there, who made my day special. We were returning home; on the way I thanked my parents for organising a wonderful party for me. That day was surely marked as a Red-letter Birthday of my life!

                                                                      JUI.