Shruti And Anuj

2 - Birthday (1)

'Love you, my princess', whispered Anuj, as Aadhya had finally fallen asleep after the midnight cake cutting. He yawned, looking at the clock as he did so.
1:30 a.m.
Time flew so fast.
Our Choti is no longer a kid, Anu. She is a teenager now. In a few years, she will fly out of our nest and make her own Home.
Anuj chuckled as he heard Aadhya's voice in his imagination.
Pops, you are so emo!

Shruti had argued with Anna and somehow stayed awake for the cake cutting. She took the bite that Aadhya fed her and left to sleep, exhausted. Aadhya and he had put music on a low volume and danced for a while. Aadhya had demanded her presents but Anuj had refused to give until Shruti and.. Anu were there as well.
Sorry, Princess, but your birthday wish isn't fair. Parents are important, who knows that better than us orphans. Had Maaya been alive, I would have included her in your birthday celebrations too. Your Maa and Pops will both be there for your birthday.

Anupama entered the residence at 3:00 a.m., completely exhausted.
'Sorry, sorry, sorry, Mr. Kapadia. I know I was supposed to be here half an hour ago. Americans have no concept of night or day. Spice and Chutney has just reopened and I couldn't refuse an order today. Sorry.. I will do all the decorations phataaphat'.
'Relax, Anu! Here, have elaichi tea first'.
Anupama gulped down the tea and started working on the decors. Anuj had already inflated the balloons and picked them up from their box, stealing glances at Anupama all the while.

Do you remember that one birthday of Choti that we could celebrate because the Shahs had gone on holidays? The fun we had bursting balloons and then purchasing new ones for Choti. The romance in the kitchen while you baked a delicious birthday cake. The gleam in Choti's eyes when she saw her shiny, new clothes.
How Anuj had wished that every birthday passed the same way. But that wasn't meant to be. The Shahs and their separation and the adjustments in a new country along with Aadhya's panic attacks didn't leave much place for celebrations in their life. Shruti had always brought a cake for Choti's birthday but that had been it.

Not any more, thought Anuj, breaking free of the sad thoughts and memories. From this year, everything will change for the better. The best.
'Anu, I was thinking.. let's get a clown for her birthday'.
'Mr. Kapadia', said Anupama, as though talking to a kid,' your daughter isn't a four year old anymore. Don't embarass her by calling a clown to her birthday party'.
'But there should be something fun.. something special, na , Anu!'.
Anupama shook her head in disbelief. A 50 year old man and ideas of a 5 year old.
'Okay! Okay! No clown. Santa?'.
Anupama placed her hands on her hip and stared him down.
Anuj said sheepishly, 'Right! It isn't Christmas. It's just that here in the US, the Christmas celebrations are so awesome that I thought.. never mind'.

'The decorations are done. I am leaving for SnC. I will be there for Choti's party in the evening'.
'Leaving so soon, Anu! Rest for sometime'.
'No time to waste today. The food critics are coming and I have to win the American Star. The restaurant and the food have to be just perfect for today!'.
Anuj heard an excitement in her voice that he hadn't heard all day. The excitement that has been in his voice a few moments ago while talking about Choti's birthday. Anuj felt a sense of disappointment.
Don't be silly, Anuj! Of course, SnC is important to Anu and she has worked so hard for it. And, Anu said that she will come for Aadhya's birthday party in the evening. Everything will work out just like before. Magic always happens when - Choti, Anu and I - we 3 are together and we are together now.
Anupama wished a deep-in-sleep Aadhya and left for SnC. Anuj went to sleep as well.

Morning dawned with the happy screams of Aadhya on seeing the decorations.
'They are just awesome! Simply amazing! Thank you so much, Pops and Shru!'.
'It wasn't me, Aadhya. Sorry, baby, I was exhausted'.
'She is right, Ms. Aadhya. It was Mr. Anuj and Ms. Anupama who have worked wonders with these decorations', chimed in Anna.
Anuj covered his face with his hand while Aadhya and Shruti heard in shock.

Aadhya flew into a rage and started destroying the decors.
'Aadhya!'.
'Aadhya!'.
Shruti asked Anna to leave, wanting to give Aadhya some privacy. She knew how ashamed Aadhya would be of her ill thought actions later. Anna left and Shruti tried to move her wheelchair closer to Aadhya but the room was cluttered with boxes to be moved and broken pieces to be cleared before evening and Shruti got stuck in her place.
Anuj made his way to Aadhya and pulled her away from the decorations before she hurt herself.
'One wish, Pops! ONE WISH AND YOU COULDN'T FULFIL THAT! If you didn't want to celebrate my birthday, if only Anupama Joshi is important to you, then GO TO HER. LEAVE ME ALONE!'.
Anuj controlled his anger at Aadhya's misbehaviour. He wouldn't shout at his daughter on her birthday.
'Aadhya, please listen!'.
'NO! I don't want to hear ANYTHING!', screamed Aadhya, before running away to her room, crying.

Anuj looked helplessly at Aadhya and then Shruti.
'Don't worry, AK. I will talk to her'.