The Birthday Gift

“She was looking beautiful in that dress.”

“Who? Which dress?”

“Nothing. What were we talking about?”

“Nope. There is something. Suddenly this dress…”

“Arre… That day we went to the market. You too were there. You know what I’m talking about.”

“But she didn’t buy that one. She bought something else.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Then…”

“All I’m saying is that she was looking good in that…”

The dress in question is a white top with some self design. We had gone to the market some 2-3 days back for some shopping. She had tried that top and liked it a lot. I don’t know why but she didn’t buy that one. Instead she bought something else. Sometimes you get a feeling that something is made for someone. It was a thing of that kind. But girls are girls.

“Shall we get back to work now?”

“It’s her birthday next week.”

“Yes. Now let’s start working. We are already late..”

“I want to gift it to her.”

“Now what’s all this?”

“What?”

“We all are giving her a gift. You know that. And you are a part of that. In fact you only gave that idea.”

“Yeah.”

“Then what is this for?”

“Just like that.”

“Just like that??? Come on? It can’t be just like that.”

“It is …”

“Tell me. Do you like her?”

“What nonsense is this. Can’t I give something to a friend as birthday gift?”

“You have not answered my question.”

“Well if you insist, the answer is no.”

“That’s what you say every time.”

“Because that’s the truth.”

“And why are you telling all this to me.”

“I’ll need your help and I know I can trust you.”

“Hmmmm. Now shall we start the work?”

“Nope. Now we shall go to the market.”

“What for?”

“To buy that top. Otherwise somebody else will buy it.”

“What if it is already sold?”

“I asked him to keep it for 2-3 days. I told him that I’ll come n buy it.”

“So everything is planned.”

“Hmmm. Almost.”

“And how will you give it to her? You will get it delivered to her room?”

“Nope. It will be kept in her room on that day.”

“How? We can’t go to girls hostel.”

“I know that.”

“Oh. I got it. You will give it to her and tell her to keep it in her room and then look at it after some time and get surprised to find a gift in her room. Is that what you plan?”

“That’s not funny.”

“Then?”

“She is not the only one who can enter into that building…”

“Means…”

“…and you are not the only one I trust.”

“So you have decided that you are going to do this. I know you will have it your way. Such is your determination. But this is crazy. If not crazy, at least it’s uncalled for. Whatever it is, you are the only one who can do such a thing.”

By now we had reached the market and were entering that shop. The person at the counter recognized me. But he became a little nervous when he saw me. It seems the game is over. And that is the case. He told me that that dress has been sold. And that was the last one of its sort. He was very sorry and very apologetic and trying very hard to find some place to hide his face. But my plan was spoiled.

“Useless fellow. Couldn’t he wait for a day or two?”

“It happens yaar. It’s not his fault. He is there to sell his stuff. Why will he say no to a customer?”

“But I had asked him to….”

“Stop this crap now. Why are you getting so restless?”

“I wanted to give...”

“And just look at it in another way. She might not have liked all this. It might have hurt her. What would you have done then?....... Oh yes. You would have remained anonymous then. Right?”

“Nope. In fact I had planned quite the opposite.”

“What? You are saying you would have remained anonymous had she liked it.”

“And I would have confessed had she not.”

“I don’t understand. What would you have achieved?”

“Nothing. I just wanted her to be happy. I was not expecting anything.”

“You are going mad.”

I don’t know what was happening but I was feeling very sad. But there was no time to be sad. And after all it was a very small matter. So we came back and restarted the job that we had left unfinished. The whole week passed in other such important assignments. And finally came the day, her birthday. At 12 midnight, the cake was cut and we had a rocking celebration. We all presented her the gift.

We had planned for a birthday party that same evening and we all were going out for dinner. We all were ready and waiting for the birthday queen and there she comes. Even the Gods would take a moment to wonder what marvel they have created. She was looking so pretty. Her untied hair, her ear-rings dangling like chandeliers from a palace top, her necklace sparkling like her laughter, the white top, the bangles, the black skirt... But wait a minute.. the white top.. this is that same top. But….

She came closer and said

“Guess what guys. Somebody gave me this top as a gift. I found it in my room. An anonymous gift. It’s looking nice na?”

… how is it possible? Who could that be? This was my plan.

“Did you…”

“No way. I was with you all the time...”

“Hmmmmmm. You couldn’t…”

“and bhai it was sold much before you told me your plan. Could it be your other trusted friend?”

“Nope. She never knew the plan.”

“In that case, I can only say one thing – You are not the only one who … wanted to give her a gift.”