Birthday Party

"SURPRISE!!!" I lost my footing trying to move back at the surprise and collided against Avishek.

I willed my racing heart to calm down and saw all of our family in front of me, hands in the air, frozen at the "surprise" word, big happy smile on their faces.

I looked back to Avishek.

"Surprise" he said softly.

Before I could say anything, I was hugged and passed around to all the people present in the room, receiving their wishes and too overwhelmed to say anything. I finally reached mom at last and surprised to see her teary eyes.

"Why are you crying?" I asked, holding her hand.

"You look beautiful" she said in answer to my question.

"You are crying because I look beautiful?" I asked.

She just shook her head and hugged me for a long time.

"I am happy things are finally okay" she said, and she didn't have to elaborate for me to know what she was talking about.

"Me too" I replied honestly and hugged her.

"Are you two going to hug all night?" I heard dad's voice booming from the other side of the room.

I released mom and saw everyone gathered around the cake waiting for me.

I walked towards them, picked up the knife and stood in embarrassment as they sang the birthday song.

Of course, my birthday was celebrated every year, but not like this, not with Avishek beside me, not like his secret smiled aimed at me. This year, things were different, things were new, they were good.

I blew out the candles, and cut the cake. Kids started on the cake, and I just stood on the side waiting for the overwhelming feeling to pass. Avishek stood beside me, watching the family and waiting for me. I wanted to hold his hand but was embarrassed to do so in front of the family.

"You okay?" I heard him ask.

"Yes" I replied. I looked up to see his smile and the feeling of wanting to kiss him hit me out of nowhere.

Jesus!! What was wrong with me? I had suddenly turned into a 20-year-old.

I shook my head to clear out the thoughts.

"Mom, come on. Its present time" Payal said, dragging me to the couch.

I opened all their gifts one by one, laughing at how they ribbed each other for the silly gift and the other one boasting about how thoughtful their gift was.

"Dad, where is your gift?" Shiksha asked when all of them had finished giving me their presents.

"It's a surprise" he said.

"Oh, come on, tell us" Payal whined.

"No, it's a surprise" he said, winking at me.

Honestly, I didn't mind if he had nothing for me. He gave me such a beautiful day today. He took me out for my first date ever. He planned my birthday party. I didn't want anything else.

After that, all of them spread out, mingling, eating the takeaway food they had ordered beforehand. I just sat on the sofa, watching Vishal and Neelam bickering about whose present was the best when I felt someone beside me.

I turned to see mom sitting beside me, taking my hand in hers. I missed this. I honestly missed spending time with mom.

"Are you happy" she asked suddenly.

"Yes" I said without hesitation.

I was so damn happy.

She searched my face to see if I was lying. I was confident she'd see nothing but happiness there.

She let a small smile and turned to see Avishek towards the end of the room where he was surrounded by Ru and Vikram. He was beautiful. I know it's not the word normally associated with men but I had no other word to describe it. He was beautiful. His smile, which at the moment he was trying to hide, was beautiful. His laugh that slipped out when Ru slapped the back of Vikram's head was beautiful. The happiness visible on his face was simply just beautiful.

"I haven't seen him smiling like this in a long time" mom said, pulling me back to reality.

I said nothing because really, I had nothing to say.

"I should apologize to you both." She said sadly.

"What are you talking about" I asked.

"Avishek's grandfather was a strong man. I'm not talking about physical strength. It was the time when patriarchy was the only solution. There was no other option. Even your dad was helpless around him. I know his biggest regret in his life is how he could do nothing to help his son. I know mine is." She fell quiet.

I said nothing, giving her time to sort out her thoughts.

"Avishek pleaded us so much. When we said, he had to marry you, no matter what, the look he had on his face, I don't think I'll ever forget that" she said, her voice thick with emotion.

"After marriage, you don't know how guilty I felt, every day, every year, watching you two slip away from each other, farther away from each other every time. After some time, I accepted it was fate, the only way it was meant to me, because I guess putting the blame on fate was easier than to feel the guilt." She said, a faraway look in her eyes.

I wanted to interrupt her, saying neither her nor dad had anything to regret for, but I kept quiet, knowing I had to let her get this off her chest. I squeezed here hand, hoping to convey what I was not saying.

"I love you, Seema. I love you like I love Avishek, you two are no different to me. I'm sorry I couldn't do much to help you two. It's the biggest regret of my life." she concluded, looking at me, her eyes pleading.

"Mom, please don't say that. I know things were not okay for the most part, but I got you. And I am not saying this to lessen your guilt, which there is no need for you to feel, but I genuinely mean that. I went from a young girl who had no one to stand up for her, no one to love her to a woman who had parents to love her, who had a home to come back to, who had a family. Mom, if it weren't for my marriage to Avishek, who knows, right now I might be with someone who only saw me as a way to keep their family line going. This family has given me love, mom. So much love I forgot what it's like to be alone. You guys gave me family. I can never be mad at you for giving me that." I said, frustrated because I wanted to say so much more but couldn't find the right words.

Mom looked like she was going to break down, but she took a deep breath.

"Thank you, for making him smile again" she said at last.

I shook my head.

"No, mom. It's him who has made me happy. Really." I said, hoping she'd see the conviction in my eyes I felt in my heart.

She gave me a wobbly smile, put her hand on my hair as if blessing me and pulled me down to kiss my temple.

I went willingly, closing my eyes when tears threatened to fall.

I opened my eyes to see Avishek looking at me, concerned at our state.

I shook my head and smiled at him.

He nodded, smiled and turned back to Ru.

The rest of the night passed with my head on mom's shoulder, laughing, smiling, watching my kids and feeling happy.

Looking at Avishek dodging Payal's playful hits, I realized, I was finally happy.

I was content.

I was with my family.

HI guys!!! I'm back. How was your week? Mine was a bit "meh".

So, the birthday party. I honestly wanted to add more of Avishek and Seema here but knew I had to give them a little break because of the long chapter last week.  I kind of wanted to put the chapter from the parent's perspective as well because come on, we all have regrets, no one is perfect.

Anyway, please leave a comment and vote if you enjoyed it.

I'll be back next week. Till then be safe.

Be happy, be healthy.