Cake less Birthday
Cake less Birthday
Dileep Bhatia
Manjri got upset. Oh no. Her father had some urgent work in their hometown
village. Manjri was also required to go to the village alongwith her parents.
But her birthday was also due in this period. No bakery, no Birthday cake,
no internet , no WhatsApp, no ballons, no friends. But there was no choice.
All of them went to their village hometown. Manjri was very upset and silent
during the train journey. Anyway they all reached.
On her birthday , she saw unique arrangements
organised by her grandmother. Her grandmother and she went to the temple in
morning. She planted a small plant in the kitchen garden. At home, a puja was
performed and everyone put tilak on her forehead. Everyone gave her some
cash as blessings. No sealed envelopes. No packed packets. Mami gave her a
beautiful hand made simple frock which she stitched herself on the
home sewing machine. In the afternoon, about ten families came and they ate
homemade puri, aaloo subzi and suji halwa. There was no maid servant. No pizza. No
chowmein. But simple home prepared dishes were so much tasty that Manjri was
surprised that simple aaloo subzi can be so tasty and suji halwa was
definitely more tasty than kaju katli of her city sweets shop. Everyone
gave her cash as Birthday gift. Grandmother had previously
prepared besan ladoo one day before itself. She gave four ladoos to each
family as return gift. Manjri was surprised to see all these and tears
appeared in her eyes. An unique Birthday. Her mother was looking nice in
saree. She also tasted besan ladoo. She could not imagine that besan ladoo
can be so delicious. Whole environment of house was live. No formality. No
tension. Grandmother gave besan ladoo packet to her for distribution to
neighbouring families for her city. After work they all returned from
village to their city , where her father was in service. During return journey
her father told Manjri — Sorry Manjri. It was cake less Birthday. In our
city , I will arrange a formal party for your friends with cake. Manjri
replied — No need Papa. Please plan a trip to village on my future
Birthdays also so that I can enjoy cake less Birthday with Dadi and Mami.
Thanks a lot Papa for such unique simple Birthday. Her mother was just
smiling.
Dileep Bhatia —– Retired Nuclear Scientist from Atomic Energy. Motivational Counsellor for students. Writer of booklets on time and career for students.
