Special are those moments when we do what we do whole-heartedly, without any second thought. One of the most special moments of my life was his birthday (1st birthday with me). Piyu was overwhelmed with the fact that she could plan her ever dreamt birthday celebration with his beloved Ross, all by herself.
Excited with the fact, she started counting days, it was 22 days for the celebration. But, the harsh reality of life would haunt her while she was trying to make her dream come true (the lack of enough money). She made plans for cakes, balloons, flowers, fragrance, everything. But at night lying on her bed, she made all possible efforts, reaching out to people for lending some money to her but no one would help her.
Nonetheless, she never gave up, she was strong and always carried a cute smile on her face. Every morning on her way to the office, she would meet Ross. Despite all the problems that she was facing, she would never talk anything to him about it.
Ross, unaware of her troubles would get as happy as the morning sunshine, seeing her smile, while she waited for him in the shuttle stop. Days passed, she had to face the ugly truth that with the money she had she could not afford everything for him (as per her plan). “I just have $37, how will I manage everything, it’s only 10 days left for his b’ day”, she said, as tears rolled her eyes.
Prioritizing between things is something she never believed when it comes to her beloved. but, there was no choice. One day while working at the office, unconsciously she spoke up to him, that she is out of cash. Regret filled her heart, she wanted to do anything but return her words, she couldn’t.
"Love sees no boundaries", what a righteous saying it is. Ross didn’t react then to make her feel awkward. But one day, he came up with this beautiful idea, “Piyu, you can plan without compromising anything by giving me what you wanted to, as and when you get you paycheque for the month”.
One should see her happiness in her shinning big brownish eyes, her face color changed to pink, she was blushing her dimples could say that. Overwhelmed with the joy of relief and unaware of what to do and what to say she hugged him and somehow managing to speak in a heavy voice said “Oh Ross! Thank you so much, I feel much lighter now. why didn’t I think of this before? Thank you so much you are my savior. Sure, I can do that”
Smiling Ross said, ” I know you feel so happy, I am happy to see you smile and blush. Shall we get back to work now, else we will be wanted by others down there.” Somehow collecting herself back she walked down with him. No one knew that this sentence was more like a therapy for her untold pain, Ross kept checking on her time to time and all he could see is her smiling eyes and the excitement that she was trying to control by biting her lips.
It was the b’ day week, she had already collected stuff and distributed them as per her work plan. “If only I was not constrained because of money, I could have done much more for him.” this voice would constantly run in her head. “But, he understands and he appreciates my efforts, I know and I trust him” she would reply and gain her confidence.
But, I guess there were other plans by nature, she fell sick a day before his b’ day. As usual waiting for her shuttle, where she met Ross, one could say she was in unbearable pain, her eyes were pale, she was shivering, somehow standing there all wrapped by a stoll, “Why did you come to work today, Piyu. You look like you just returned from the ICU. You could have taken a leave right.”
“How could I Ross, tomorrow is your b’ day I wanted to spend the evening with you.” said a feeble voice.
“Ok, let’s go, you wanna have tea?”
“No, I am feeling nausea, I would puke if I do.”
The silence on their way to the office could tell how sad both were. Somehow trying to stop her vomiting, she managed to reach office reception, where she gave up and ran to the restroom. Tired and half-broken, she came to her seat, when Ross said
“Done. You should have taken leave Piyu, go home take rest.”
She ran to the restroom again.
“Piyu, this is going way out of line, your body is giving up go home as early as possible. You should take rest.” Ross continued on her return.
“But…..”
“It’s your call……………” An angry voice replied.
“Try and understand please dear, I want to stay with you this evening,” Piyu said in a convincing tone.
“That you still can”, Ross explained.
“Take half-day leave, go home rest for some time, you will feel better. When I leave office I will let you know, you can join me on my way back.”
She smiled.
“I shall place a sick leave. See you in the evening. Have a nice day at work, Ross.”
She left.
It was 4 pm when she woke up realizing, she should get ready else she will get late. While arranging all the gifts she called up Ross, to check on him.
“Hi, I should be starting in 30 mins, is your work done or you have meetings for the day”, she said.
“No, I am good. Just have to catch up with my Boss before I leave that’s all.” Ross said.
“What’s your favorite flavor when it comes to Pastries?” she asked.
“Why, what are you planning now?” Replied Ross.
“Nothing, just asking” a cute naughty reply came back.
“I am good with Butterscotch.”
“Kool. See you in an hour.”
“Sure.”
Dressed as a princess, she was standing in her shuttle stop, where they would meet. Her hands full of gifts, her heart pounding to an extent she could count her heartbeat. Blushing her face was all pink and hands were frozen when Ross came. “Hi, you look much better than the morning. See I told you, taking rest would help,” said Ross.
“Yeah, I feel good too,” she replied with a soft voice.
“See, These are for you, but please open them at midnight. That’s my surprise so promise me.” she requested.
“OK, I promise. I will open it at midnight,” replied Ross.
One could feel the peace in her voice and her pink cheeks were a prove she was happy and felt shy beyond anyone’s imagination. Ross understood it too. Trying to make her comfortable, he kept her engaged in miscellaneous conversations.
“Hye, it’s your stop, call u once I reach home and Thanks for all the gifts, I feel great about al these. Take care and get well soon.”
“Please don’t say thanks, I have done nothing for you. This is nothing at all. I will wait for your call. Will call you at midnight.
Hye, I almost forgot, amongst these boxes is also a Butterscotch pastry for you, please have that at midnight. Lots of celebration is on its way.” replied Piyu as she bid him bye.
The clock ticked midnight when she called her. “Still up, or did I disturb you,” said Piyu.
“I was waiting for your call,” Ross replied.
“Hmm, I know. But I have a rule.”
“Which is……”
“I don’t wish at first, for the people who are special to me, I wish them at last. So you will have to wait till its 11: 59 pm today.”
“OK.”
“Did you have the pastry?”
“No, just going to.”
“Please do.”
The kept talking, hours passed, the phone battery was about to die.
“I guess we are talking for long. My phone’s battery is about to die.”
“Not long Piyu, just for 3 hours”, said Ross with a laugh. “Now, go take rest”
“Sure.”
“BTW, I am coming to pick you up today morning for office. Don’t get late.”
“What? Are you serious.”
“Yes, I will. Good night. Take care.”
“Good night, Ross.”
Wearing his favorite white and blue dress, she was waiting for him with a big white box in her hand, when the car stopped in front of her. Her hands were shaking as her heart pounded while opening the car door.
“Good morning! How are you feeling now? Let me hold that for you. Be careful with your dress. You look pretty.” said Ross
“I feel much better. Hope you b’ day celebrations go as per plan.” Piyu replied.
“It will. Piyu. Don’t worry, anything you do for me is very special. Efforts matter not the result and I know you have put so much effort to plan my b’ day. No one has done that before for me.” Ross replied.
It was lunch break when all of them got together for the b’ day celebrations. But one could find only Piyu being occupied in making the arrangements perfect, she kept running from pillar to post arranging stuff, without any helping hand.
Ross observed her and came to her aid. But she said she loves doing things for him. “Thank you, Ross but I am good.”
It was a celebration time. Her heart pounded and she sang with all others “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, DEAR ROSS.” Trying to hide her tears, she went to share the first bite of the b’ day cake.
The b’ day card, a bouquet all arranged by her, but she did not initiate presenting those to Ross, instead, she insisted all close friends of Ross who came empty-handed to give it to him.
In the chaos of activities and distribution of cake, no one noticed to share a piece with Piyu.
When she was back attending everyone and making sure the celebrations went as planned, she found no cake was left for her. But instead, she saw the knife which has some cream left on it. Poor soul, she tasted that leftover cream and came down to work.
Just a small question to all my readers, “Why is it that the Heart who KNOWS TO LOVE THE MOST does not get any LOVE BACK?”
“Why is it that the PERSON WHO CARES THE MOST only gets ignored by EVERYONE all the time?”
Think about it.
The day passed by she kept on dropping her surprise gifts to Ross during different times of their work. All she ever wanted is to see Ross smiling, as that made her feel PEACE. She would always say Ross, “All I want Ross is to see you smiling, no matter what is the cost of that smile.”
While they were back from work, the clock said 10:30, when she finally said, ” I know you go to bed early, and I know it’s my time to give you my b’ day wishes.”
“Happy Birthday Mr. Handsome, You are my Mr.Perfect and I love you loads.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.” Replied Ross.
“I just wish I was able to make your day special, Ross.”
“Indeed it was,” Ross said.
“Good night dear, take care. See you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Piyu.”