Smita came an invited the whole family informally for  trupti's birthday party on the following saturday at the MACDONALDS at hajiali. She was making mild faces ,while giving the invitation,a sure indication of her thoughts "whether we would all come,how many of us to count for the cake & snacks "whether we would bring any gifts? My younger sister Prita escaped by saying she had classes on that day, which left me to" forcibly" say yes.Of course i also felt a little sorry for her. She had also invited selected  kids from the building,as she wanted 'TRUPTI'S'  first birthday party in the posh eatery  to be a success. Actually Smita had confided to me in secret ;a week prior to the inviatation that she was going to do no special efforts fr trupti's birthday, just invite friends over at home! so imagine my surprise at these turn of events..................

                               Saturday dawned clear & early & i could hear  the whole family next door bustling about ,getting ready to go to the party.It was supposed to be at 5.30 pm ,for which i was "GRACIOUSLY " invited early to come & help with the arrangements.....looks like I was their official servant for the evening.......... i decided to deliberately go late.......

                               At 4.30 Smita & her mother -in-law rang the bell & asked to hurry up & join them.I politely refused saying  ,i had pending chores at home.Smita was dressed in a black silk salwar kameez & a black scarf  & a shiny metallic bag.On seeing her the thought flashed thru my mind......."TWINKLE TWINKLE SHINES MY DRESS & BAG LIKE A THOUSAND STARS IN THE SKY".Her mother-in-law ,who normally walks with her nose in the air also was dressed wz a matching silver metallic bag.Both must have bought it from the sreets of crawford market for rs 50 each in a bargain .......came the uncharitable thought i my mind.

                                I reached the party , on cue at 6pm & went to greet the birthday girl & present to her ,the gaily wrapped gift of chocalate & a stuffed teddy. On seeing her i got a mini shock as "MADAME "all of 4 years was dressed a "A LA......RAVEENA TANDON " of mohra song in a black beaded frock, gown cap sleeves & a jazzy hair band.BUT THE SHOW WAS SPOILT BY HER LIFTING HER FROCK EVERY TEN MINUTES....GIVING ALL AT THE PARTY A VIEW OF HER MATCHING PANTIES. Her friends too tried to kiss & hug her while she tried to escape.In it was her dear friend shaizeen,in her dotted red see through frock,the 2nd floor neighbour's son ankit with his shy smiles. Then their was the 5 year old midget salomi from the corner flat of the diamond merchants......FOR ALL HER DIAMONDS .....THAT DAY SHE WAS LOKKING AS DARK AS THE COALS .There were kids from the adjoining building,who ate away all of truptis snacks.....like shelley,veera ,bhagwati,the always cryimng & snivelling mansi.I wondered how smita invited them after all these misdeeds ...?

"HAD TOO...... I GUESS ....OR IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED BAD.

                     Some kids were accompanied by their mom's ,who all gathered at the back table & gosipped about the latest happenings.It included the fat Cheeked mrs Nandita ,laughing away in her croaky voice, doe eyed sly Mrs Shetty who thought she was queen  bee bcoz of her fair skin......though she was married to the dark Mr Gomes....never mind that ......at least he was on the society cultural committee. The spexy Mrs Deepa Shah from the same floor was also  there ......looking sad as ever.Then the preganant Mrs Dave a cousin of Smita's husband also came wz her young son.She was looking happy & radiant...........surprising there were talks of a divorce ,as her husband didn't wan't a second baby.WELL SHE LOOKED FIT & READY TO DELIVER THE NEXT MORNING..........how strange  are rumours !

                                          The venue was a cramped 15x15sq ft behind the actual eatery of mac donalds........costing a bomb to rent.....but looking like somebody's backyard. It was lit up wz balloons ,black cloth  & few spot lights. the birthday girl' s father was busy clicking photos of everybody......so much so: that he did not even have time to greet us.Smita's own mother & sister came.....grumpily greeted her & huffily sat down in a corner.All through the party they kept fake smiles on their faces,while thier beady eyes were safeguarding the presents .Smita's The father kep't an eye on the cake & gave continuous instructions for the leftover to be packed & taken home..........MUCH BEFORE IT WAS EVEN CUT,EATEN OR THE CANDLES BLOWN...............SUCH A LOVELY BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!

                                       Meanwhile smita was standing helplessly in a corner & observing all

this sadly.....certainly she had not envisaged her dear daughter's birthday party to be such an unenthusiastic ,unspantaneous affair.Nobody to hug her daughter,or greet her warmly.....not even a compliment from her husband or beaming smiles of appproval from her in laws.The food was also going waste as ten guests had not turned up ......some were having an allergy to icecreams.....some didn't like the burger while the younger kids alll wolfed down the potato chps & spilled coke over their new clothes. It was certainly a nightmare.....her good mood had vanished & she was desperately wishing for the last 15 minutes to be over ,SO THAT ALL THESE HORRID GUESTS COULD LEAVE& SHE WOULD GO HOME & PEACEFULLY SOAK IN THE TUB &

 

" COUNT THE NUMBER OF GIFTS RECEIVED ".