Pieces of the Puzzle

Nerdy Neelu comes home one morning all dressed up in a new jing-chack salwar suit. Wakes me up from sleep and gives me a smile that would disarm Vishwamitra in penance. I detect something fishy, but can’t point my finger at the right fish. I muster a sleepy smile. Then she joyously distributes sweets to everyone at home. I give her a confused look.

She looks at me amused,’ What acting, Alpha! Of course you knew its my Birthday today.'

The dreaded B word! Gulp! Of course I forgot! How the do I salvage this situation again. She on her part has never ever forgotten mine. I on my part have never remembered even a single birthday of hers/our meeting day/our friendship day/our first liking-each-other day. Why does God create such people? Even if He did, why does he place such people among my midst! Darn!

She usually unleashes unwarranted useless senti. I have made myself immune to all that. But sometimes, some of the sentimental talk does penetrate into my thick skull and I get all guilty. I feel soul-lessly inhuman.

But today, she seemed quite pleased and I couldn’t see the speech coming. I was even more perplexed. I was about to get into my ‘Sorry-I-forgot’ tirade when she giddily gushed,’ Thank you Alphu, for that sweet card and letter pad. I loved it! Anonymous indeed. I figured it was you! Who else will do something like that? U finally remembered my birthday. I am sooooo happy. Muaa!’

Murky thoughts prevail- Totally yikes! She thinks I sent her that! And she’s so elated about it. Do I speak the truth and come crashing down in her eyes? Do I spoil the day for her (and me of course)? Mr. Anon must be some nerdy fan of her Physiology notes. He will never come forward with the truth. He would be too shy. A waste of a good card and gift. Why, I’ll claim it for sure!

Clear thinking me, ‘Hehe, you figured out uh? Cool no probs. I hope you enjoy it and write letters to me with that once we part. Did you like the design, Nerdu?’

She runs to the phone. Calls her roomies and excitedly yells like Sherlock Holmes,’ See, I told you people. I knew I was right. Alpha sent me that card not that sick guy you were teasing me with.’

-the other line says something-

‘Yes, of course! She just admitted it!’

-the other line speaks more-

‘What!!? Really? You people? Gawd! Hmmm…..’

-click-

What followed after that is censored. She was kind enough to spare my life.

Today reminders pop up in my computer/calendar/phone/hubby’s palm/post-its on my forehead. I have even tattooed the date on my tongue.

Also I wrote this post to specifically remember to wish her tomorrow. May the the Gods of Memory be with me.