Happy Birthday

 I like to greet people on their birthdays. I used to call them, sometimes at 12 am, just to start their day with a smile. Then someone told me, "Don't do this, especially with boys. They will think you have a crush on them."

Well, I only did this with my friends, colleagues, and family, and later I heard some of them say I had something on my mind, which is why I called them. Some said, I have an interest in them.

I surprised. Maybe I am not born for this world. Anyway, I stopped myself. It's true, I feel great when anyone says Happy Birthday, give me gifts. But I better not do this with others, because, they took it wrong, sometimes.

So, yeah, I don't say, but I wish everyone a Happy Birthday.

Nowadays, I send birthday messages on their FB Messenger. Who likes, replies; who doesn't, doesn't answer. I understood, from next don't send them any more messages.

Biography 334: My father didn't get the birthday cake

 It was Dola apa's birthday. We visited their home to join her birthday party. I don't know where they ordered the birthday cake, but it was very delicious.

You know, when you have a room full of people and need to distribute a medium-sized cake, you slice it into small pieces and hand them out to everyone. Sisi Apa did the same. As I told you, the cake was very delicious. I really wanted to take some more pieces because less than half of the cake remained on the tray. But I felt really shy about asking or taking any myself. The food was served by the host family, so I assume they weren't expecting the guests to serve themselves. It was probably due to how they manage things, I thought. So, I didn't help myself.

I saw a lady taking a cake by herself. I told you the cake was very delicious. But my shyness didn't let me ask for any or take a piece. After a few minutes, Lisi apa came; asked did everyone have the cake? Some nodded their heads affirmatively. She took the cake away, probably to store it in the refrigerator.

The reason for this long explanation is that there was another person, who felt shyer than I—my father. Somehow, the food distributor didn't give him any cake. He didn't sit near me, so I wouldn't notice. At night, after returning home, my dad told my mom that he didn't get any piece of cake. But dad didn't want to make them feel bad, so he chose not to tell them.

My mom isn't the kind of lady who keeps this information to herself. Probably the next day, she called her sister and told her that my dad didn't get any piece of cake.

Immediately, my aunt bought a small cake and came to our home with Dola apa. Her other daughters might also be with her; I don't remember. Dola apa and Boro khala cut the cake and enjoyed it with our family, including my dad.

My aunt kept telling my dad, 'You should have asked me.' Dad was feeling shyer and trying to hide under the floor. But anyway, we were happy to have my aunt and Dola apa at home.

I actually didn't know what happened; I was surprised to see them at home with cake. After listening to some conversations between my aunt and mom while enjoying the cake, I understood what was going on.

Preparation for the birthday

 I used to prepare a complete meal on my birthday. Every time, I tried to make something new on my menu. Then I enjoyed the food with my family members. These days, I don't have that strength, but I still try to make something. I just don't invite anyone because I never know whether I will be able to make something or not, or whether that food will turn out tasty.

Biography 313: "Obhinondon" (অভিনন্দন)

 A kid was about three or four years old. His parent organized a birthday party. He doesn't have friends yet, so his parents invited their relatives and friends to be his companions. One of them brought a bouquet of flowers for him. After opening the door, the boy ran to his aunt, expecting a gift. But his aunt bought some flowers. She gave him those flowers, Tuberoses (in Bangla, Rajnigandha).

He took the flowers, threw them on the floor, and, while stamping on them, he was saying, "Obhinondon aanchhe, khelna anbe, chocolate anbe, ta na, obhinondon aanchhe!" (Translation: She brought Greetings/Congratulations, no toys, no chocolates, she brought Greetings/Congratulations). People couldn't understand what to do next. 

Moral of the story: Always think about age when giving a gift.

No treat, no gift.

 I try to send greetings on everyone's birthday. You know, those who let us remind them by social media. Unless they ignore my message. I don't want to text those who don't reply.

I can remember very few birthdays without any reminders, and I send greetings to them, too.

I only give gifts to those who treat me. No food, no gift.

I really don't understand how some people keep expecting gifts and greetings from me when they never send any greetings or treat me on my birthday or on theirs.

Birthday, 2022

 Generally, on my birthday I got lots of flowers. Before returning from the office I had to ask someone to help me to carry flowers. This year was different. I even didn't get a virtual flower, only my sister sent some virtual flowers on FB, at least. no doubt life changes. No one knows about my birthday in my workplace.

But for the first time my son make some cupcakes for my birthday. He is growing up. Making decisions. May Allah always help him and give him a peaceful happy life.

I had ordered some food, as we always like to eat restaurant food (A bad habit). That helped me the next morning, I didn't have to make breakfast. That's a relief.

On my birthday most of the time, I was sleeping, trying to enjoy a relaxing time. Didn't plan for anything else as I had to go to work. Most of my day has gone to work. I wish I had the luxury to take some time off and visit some beautiful places.

A beautiful day with a lovely boy

 

Biography 05: Flowers

 

I get born at 02.30am. In the morning when my parent brought me home, they found everywhere is decorated with flowers. Like they are welcoming me. The fact was “Shahid Minar”, the symbol of the language fighters who died to keep our mother tongue, was right beside the Dhaka Medical College. The whole area was decorated with flowers in respect of the language fighters.

 

Later they put my name “Shimul”, a flower of Spring.

 

I like the flowers. I used to search on the internet and keep beautiful flower pictures to make it my desktop picture.

 

In my first job, many of my colleagues give me flowers on my birthday. My whole desk was covered with flowers. At the end of the day, I had to ask someone to help me to carry flowers for me because I couldn’t take them all at a time.

 

This continues in my other jobs too. But things have changed now. Last year, my birthday was the worse celebration of my life. I kept quiet and wanted to know, how others celebrate my birthday. Nobody did anything. Even at home people didn’t care to say, “Happy birthday”, no gift, no arrangement. Only my mum called me, and sisters send me a message. It hurts! So, now I have decided I will celebrate it in my own way. As much fun as I can have by arranging by myself. Won’t bother if anybody does anything or not. I can buy flowers for myself, right?

When my birthday will come?

Shafeen is playing with one of his birthday gift, it was his 3^rd birthday.

In the whole year Shafeen has to join other’s birthday party and give gifts. He watches them cut the cake and enjoy. The only thing he ask on those moment, “Ammu(mother) when will my birthday come?”. My poor boy, his birthday is at December. He has nothing to do but watching others celebrating their birthday and keeps waiting for his own party.

About birthday

Yesterday was Shafeen’s(My 4 and half year old son) uncle’s (my youngest sister’s husband) birthday. Shafeen enjoyed the simple arrangements. But he has some questions about this birthday. I answered him as much as I can but seems his uncle also needs to answer one. Here they are

Shafeen asked, we didn’t celebrate birthday, why are we leaving? That means we still didn’t eat cake. I told him, your uncle has grown up enough not to cut a birthday cake. But my son didn’t agree, he said, uncle must feed us a cake. Now Shafeen’s uncle, you will face him next.

Shafeen also said, why didn’t I bring a toy for his uncle? I replied your uncle isn’t a kid; we bring toys for only kids. Shafeen somehow agreed OK, but please bring toy for me, a gun, which has life saving shield…….. And many more feature. I replied OK.

Shafeen also asked why his (Shafeen’s) birthday isn’t coming, why others are celebrating only. I replied, son, you have to wait, till your birth date comes. He said it’s not fair.