Friendship Has No Goodbye

Chapter 4

The group was finally getting to plan a birthday. It was the first birthday amidst them. 13th November, this was Alisha’s birthday. Jack, who loved planning such birthday events, planned a small surprise for her. They got a cake for her and landed up at her house at midnight. Since it was the first birthday the group ever celebrated, Alisha was surprised but so happy at the same time because she didn't expect it. They ruined her face with flour and eggs for which the guys got enough swear words from Alisha. In the morning, to make it a little more exciting they gave their gift to a kid to give it to Alisha saying that some random stranger gifted her something.

Jack, Ash, and John, later on, went to her place and acted surprised about the gift and teased her, saying it was from a secret admirer. When she opened the gift, it was a cute frame with their group pictures with Alisha. She loved the gift so much that she hugged them in a gesture of gratefulness and hung it on the wall. Everyone bunking their colleges for the first time, decided to meet at Bandra fort. John, Messi, and Leo decided to meet a little late because they had some work at the mall. Ash and Jack met Naisha, Gary, Myra, and Alisha at Bandra station. These were the friends that still needed introductions. 

Naisha and Myra was Alisha's school girl gang. They would hang out together all the time, talk about boys, play around, and have fun school memories together like the usual girl gangs. Gary and Naisha were the sweethearts of the group. Since they had been dating since school, they had a really special and cute bond. Gary was the boyfriend who had to accompany the girl gang because his girlfriend was there but he didn’t mind much as he got to spend more time with her. Let’s move on further with the story.

Together they all went to bandstand. They gazed at the sea, clicked pictures, and became comfortable with each other while they waited for the rest. Jack told John's group that on the way while coming to Bandra, to get a small cake. After a 2 hour long wait at bandstand, John's group finally reached bandstand. Alisha cut her second cake of the day at bandstand. They cut or more like they smashed it in her face. But they helped clean her up too. Let me make this clear, this was the creamy kind of cake that doesn’t get cleaned off easily. So you can understand Alisha’s discomfort.

While going home by bus, Alisha gave Jack the money to buy the tickets. But he being the smartass that he is, he chose not to buy them. Since there was traffic, they got off at the signal just before their bus stop. Their luck was so good because the TC was at the next stop checking tickets. And that is called getting saved in the nick of time (modern style). Since they hadn't eaten the whole day, Alisha decided to give the group dinner, as her treat.

They went to the nearest place, Cafe Sahar. They didn't order much because Alisha's had a limited budget. But Messi's parents ended up surprising them, and his dad ordered more items for them and ended up paying the bill. They seemed to have a soft corner for Alisha. Alisha seemed to have a great day in the end.  Her sweet 16 went very well because birthdays are always best with loads of company.

In two weeks it being Jack’s birthday which was on 26th November, Alisha was all set to take revenge with her midnight plan.  Since Jack knew they were going to mess up his face he stayed at home which didn't discourage the group. First, he hid in the washroom, but his mom pulled him out. While he was on a call with his uncle, Messi, John, and Leo dragged and carried Jack out of his home at midnight while he was just in shorts (which weren’t even his). Alisha had brought eggs, ghee, turmeric, and flour, probably everything possible to destroy him.

Messi hid the eggs which he meant to use on Jack in his pants (Not a smart idea as you can guess how badly this is going to end) Of course it got smashed in his pants and well Alisha gave him a good hearing for that later on. Oh well, good memories. Myra, Naisha, and Gary weren't close to Jack at that moment, so they weren't there. Later on, the next day, Jack’s dad took everyone for a dinner treat at Cafe Arfa. Everyone enjoyed the lovely and headed home.

Since Leo’s birthday was in less than a week that is 1st December, they started planning for that.
They got a cake for him at midnight too. Fun fact 1st December is also World AIDS Day and so the cake said Happy Aids day. Did I mention that Jack is kind of goofy and loves jokes too much? Leo decided to give them back a surprise that he likes Myra. Oh well, drama of course exists in all groups. Jack advised him to get to know her better and well let's fast forward to the next morning.

Alisha and Jack went together to get Leo some clothes as gifts and ended up at a DMart miles away from where they were supposed to go but they got the gifts at least. Later on, while giving Leo his gifts, the group surprised Jack too with his birthday gifts (which had gotten a bit delayed) by giving him a mobile cover with a playboy bunny on it (it's an inside joke) and they gave him a really great slam book which had all their sweet words for him (understand the sarcasm, it was definitely swear words). While heading home, they took a group picture and ended the day on a good note.