Birthday 2026

   My father had sent me a video wish with some of our older photographs at the time of the actual birth time which falls a day earlier.  Geethechi had called and said it has been a while since I heard your voice and we spoke for a little. I did not tell that it is my birthday. Rameez called to let me know that he may not be reachable if there is a power shutdown in Texas, and then we spoke for an hour plus. And then I was about to warm the Bathura for dinner, and was planning to smule "Thaamasamendhe varuvan.."

    That is when I suddenly see Aiza and Leiba appear in front of the microwave, coming in from the dining area. Sudden change in scenery. Aiza said wait don't go in front. So, now I knew that my dear friends and neighbors are throwing a surprise. Now that I have realized that this is the surprise, I am no longer surprised. Vijesh was disappointed at the extent of surprise that came on my face. I see the whole gang come in - Anjali, Nimmy, Vijesh, Gafoor, Ramshi, Manu, Nandu and the rest of kids - all singing happy birthday. Special feeling indeed. Luckily I felt happy because I wouldn't be able to fake it otherwise. 

      Years ago, when I had played Carromageddon at college, I remember how Remith hurrayed excited as I made crucial shots in. Jacob mentioned later that I was all zoned in and seemed totally oblivious of all the support that your friends are giving you. That can sometimes happen - relay problem, but not this time. Today I was tuned in.

     Divya's parents called and wished me meanwhile. I was unshaven, decided to change my t-shirt for the photos/videos/cake cutting festivities that are coming next. The conversations kicked off with Gafoor's foray into Etched. Vijesh and Gafoor spoke intelligently about AI chips, while Manu and I struggled to listen up. 

   The cake matched the t-shirt. I can't the recall when I cut a cake like that with so much fanfare. That is when I see that it is not just cake. We have dinner as well. Lot of thought and planning has gone behind this. And it was organized primarily by the friends. Divya was keyed in only at the last moment.

    

 

Aiza had a nice butterfly T Shirt, and she gave me a hand made birthday drawing from the girls - Nandu,Leiba and Aiza. Leiba and Aiza asked me riddles as we typically do when we meet. Kittu gave me a dollar bill as my gift.

Guys played two rounds of billiards with Vijesh scoring the winning shot. Then the ladies challenged the guys with physical poses and movements. Had some fun around that. Some more TV watching, then conversations around the dinner table. 

Vijesh and Nimmy had to leave a little earlier as Nandu had a class tomorrow. This prompted the photo shoot where I got special bar stool seating along with the kids while the rest of the group stood around for a memorable photo. Gafoor did a quick pan 5 seconds pan video as well as Aiza shouted "Happy Birthday Cinish uncle..". Nandu who was sleeping against my shoulder while the photo was being set was all bright and ready just as the camera clicked.

Gafoor spoke about his aspirations. I challenged those from my lens of not getting into chases. Once Gafoor clarified that it is not like he is not living his life today running behind this vision, and also acknowledging that his thoughts might change. I started to feel more comfortable - if that is what he wants, that is what he wants. Anjali seemed to strongly align with Gafoor's thought process as did Manu. 

   Another interesting snippet that came out was how Gafoor was reminded of me while listening to AI theory from his company.  AI's prediction semantics works by first using the first token, and looking at the possibilities, then the first and second token and looking at possibilities, and then six tokens, and then seven tokens, and so on. The observation is that I am like that, and that I would listen to everyone intently, and the person would feel that I am going to do exactly as he/she says, where as in reality that conversation is just serving as a token in the algorithm. Ramshi recounted how the only token of hers that had worked on me was that I had replaced the round coffee table with a square one based on her suggestion. I enjoyed all that limelight. And the clock struck midnight and everyone wished me happy birthday yet again.

     Group dispersed - Anjali and Manu drove to the right - Gafoor and Ramshi to the left. Another round of birthday wishes. A day to cherish!