Subtitle: Why maybe I don't want to celebrate my birthday in India.
Today, Adi (aka Baby Cheeko), the youngest member of our household, turned 23.
Celebrations began at 11:58 pm last night when our leader, Gurneet.....
and his accomplices, Jeevika and Ishpreet came sneaking up the stairs to our house.
They wanted to be the first to wish Cheeko a happy birthday when the clock struck midnight.
Inside the house, we were prepared.
Poor Cheeko was asleep in his bed when the door flew open and the crowd moved in with balloons, streamers, silly string and loud voices.
That got his attention!
There was a chocolate birthday cake which had had an unfortunate accident and lost its happy.
Cheeko dutifully cut it up.
Gurneet nicely fed him his first bite.
And the family photo was taken.
Later in the day, as is the custom, we were treated to lunch. Because Gurneet and Dilmeet hadn't paid this debt yet, the three decided to pool their resources and take us to the posh Marriott.
No more photos of all of us sitting around the table eating--though we did do that.
Back on campus, third year students Arjunveer, Divya and Ankita were planning a nice surprise of their own.
Some hints that it might not be so nice--candles showing he was 24 not 23 (really an insult to be considered so old), and calling him uncle (we call him baby). They have a different perspective!
But, he was very pleased with the attention and the flowers and cake.
But, what happened next!!!!!!!
Divya and Ankita did more than feed him bites. They smeared cake all over his face! In fact, they had bought a second cake just for that purpose.
This tradition we had not yet seen.
No, she didn't. She decided that some chocolate was in order so proceeded to add to the mess on Adi's face.
Somehow it seemed like an appropriate way to help Baby Cheeko celebrate his birthday!
