Somehow I am allergic to birthday celebrations. But when my wife turned 50, I wanted to celebrate her birthday with a big suspense and surprise. Her birthday is on 13th January. So this year, I wanted to give her a birthday gift. I applied for leave on that day to be at home with her.

The previous day I left office early and went shopping. It took nearly two hours to find a suitable diamond ring, a gorgeous silk saree among other things. Before I went home I booked two cinema tickets for the  matinee show next day. The gifts were hidden in my room.

During that evening and the next morning, I noticed my wife with a  different smile. The next morning, I declared I wasn’t going to office. My wife said she had some clothes to wash and cleaning to do, I told her that I have a different agenda for the day.

I told my sons not to start for office till I finish my bath; I wanted them to be present while I wish and hand my wife the gifts. When I came out from the bathroom, a pleasant surprise awaited me. There were two packets waiting for me and before I could touch them, my wife and sons clapped and sang “Happy birthday to you.”

Shocked, I asked my wife if it wasn’t her birthday. I tried convincing her by showing the gifts I got for her. At this point, their smiles turned into a big laughter. My wife was telling one of our sons, “Didn’t I tell you Kiran, your papa has started forgetting things. My birthday was over last month and he didn’t even wish me. Now he tells me today’s my birthday, forgetting that today’s February 13, which is his birthday!”

Of course. February 13 is my birthday. But all along I was thinking I was in the month of January. A look at the calendar revealed that no one at home had removed the January sheet from it. My sons had a compromise note to make. “All for good papa. Each one bought a gift for the other without giving a hint. It is really a surprise. You enjoy your surprise birthday.” And both the sons went out.

Of course, what was supposed to be a surprise for my wife turned out to be a surprise for me!