MERRY GO SURPRISE!

What do we do for Jagriti's birthday?

- Sarvamitra

It is around the corner," Shefali whispered when Jagriti went to wash her hands.

Within months of her arrival at the new school, Jagriti had earned herself really good friends.

"Let's surprise her," quipped Tarun, shoving down the last of his chapati.

"Visit her house and cut a cake?" Shefali suggested.

Diya shook her head, "But Jags always squashes any suggestion that even remotely involves going to her home. I don't think she will like the ..."

"Yeah ... Me too. I slept through all of social period. Thank God I was not caught snoring!" Shefali made up a story, effectively cutting off Diya when she saw Jagriti walking back.

Laden with bags of decorations and a cake baked by Tarun, the friends hid behind a neem tree. This was the idea that bagged the maximum vote among the friends. Just then, Jagriti came out with her cricket kit strapped to her back. She waved goodbye to her mother, hopped onto her cycle and was off. Jagriti's mother, Nirmala, was still at the door.

"Let's go." Tarun got up and took two steps before he ducked. "Get down," he whispered.

Jagriti came back, parked her cycle and went over to her mother. Though the friends were quite close by, they couldn't hear Jagriti. They saw Nirmala nod her head, and Jagriti took off once again.

This time, the friends waited a whole five minutes before ringing the doorbell. Nirmala opened the door, her eyes staring intently at them.

Shefali quickly explained, “Aunty, we are Jagriti's friends. We want to surprise her today. Can we decorate your home?”

Tarun held up the cake while Diya adjusted her bag of paper streamers.

Nirmala scrutinised them for a few seconds before she smiled. Wow! Diya thought it was the most beautiful smile she had witnessed in forever. Nirmala opened the door wider and led them to the living area.