Saturday 15 May 2010

A Special Brithday

This year I definitely had a very special birthday. I was simply mesmerized by the way different things came up.

First of all, we had a Software Engineering Exam on my birthday, the subject which I loathe the most. I couldn’t help imagining the way I would spend the next day and previous night reading that crass subject. But, I had to, after-all I am a career aspirer. So, I started studying for my exams at 10 pm, thought I would easily study till 1.30 as I would get all birthday wishes at 12.00. Well, my plan was successful, I studied successfully up to 12.00 and then the preceding hour went in receiving the haphazard calls and messages. It was a wonderful feeling that I had simultaneously 4 waiting calls on my cell. That was the first indication of the realization that there are still many people who care about me. The call mania lasted around 40 minutes and in parallel my sweet little cousin sis was preparing a chocolate cake for me. (It was wonderful).

Then mom and dad told me it was time they reveal their surprise. They gifted me a box wrapped with beautiful gift paper and a very large printed message wishing me a very happy 21st Birthday. (Actually its 20th, but they consider the other way). I was very anxious to know what lie hidden in the Pandora’s Box. As I started unwrapping - I came to know what it was, It was a all-new laptop, a HP dv6 with 1 GB nVidia GT 230M graphics card, I had no reactions. I kept saying “No please not a laptop, no not a laptop”, but, it was there, right before my eyes. I had no words. I started crying, couldn’t control my emotions. (For those who don’t know, I lost a HP dv5 laptop last year due to my carelessness). I couldn’t stop thanking God for the next few minutes for giving me such wonderful and trusting parents. I told them I don’t deserve it, but, they didn’t accept it. And here I am writing a blog using the same laptop. Then came the excitement part - I wanted to try it out. But, then picture of SE textbook came to my mind, and I quietly slipped into my room and stared studying. Then, as per the plan, dozed off at 1.30.

Started studying back in the morning, with no hopes of completing the course, with a few birthday wishes here and there, I managed to the course complete anyway, unfortunately quantity was my main focus, not quality. Divya needed SE textbook so she dropped at my place. Surprisingly (or I should say, as usual), she didn’t remember the date due to exam fever. (She even switches off her cellphone, and when somebody asks, says “Battery discharge ho gayee, charge karne me bore hoti hu”, I wish someone was as foolish to believe this"). Well, then everyone at college wished me and then she realized with a plethora of sorries.

Then I got my second gift - Rohini gifted me a sweet Mickey with a card. Then the exams began, all the birthday mood started to take a toll on me. There was no question in the paper I could claim I knew 100%. So, with the Rancho’s mantra of “All izz Well”, I continued writing with hopes that others will also find it difficult. Finally, my patience came to an end and I gave up at 5.10, went straight back home.

Actually, there was even another reason for my going home early instead of waiting for my friends outside the examination hall - I didn’t wanted to get kicked on my ass by 20 people 20 times. So, I decided the best consequences for me, and quietly slipped home, unaware of the surprise gift that awaited me.

Katha came up with the diary, I instantly recognized, it was another feat Shruti had pulled out, another surprise gift. I opened it and was shocked, inside there were writings of Khanjan, Ajay, Divya, Bhavin, Chirag, Viral, Mom, Dad, Kenil, Katha and yes - Shruti herself. I was dumb, speechless. How could have she managed to get all this done and i didn’t come to know. Then she told me this was in plan since 2 months, and Bhavin was the one passing the diary in college. I just came to know it was a very long term plan. Then I read the posts written by everyone, it was an emotional criss-cross reading all those lines written by my friends. It was an unbelievable experience, one that cannot be expressed in words. I just realized my importance, my friends had very well expressed through words my role in their life. It was an enthralling experience, one that made my birthday extra special. Thanks Shruti for gifting me a bundle of memories that I’ll never forget.

Then got calls from my old friends, talked to everyone with great enthusiasm. And then my day ended with dinner at one of my neighbor’s function. I was very tired, so much that I didn’t care about the exam next day and then went to sleep without thinking anything.

It was one of the best days Birthdays ever of my life, showering me with a range of emotions - tension, boredom, excitement, nostalgia, regret, gratefulness, thankfulness, and overall - Self Realization. Thank you everyone for making my day historical.