A Call

It was around 9 O’clock at night and there was a call at my mobile from an unknown number. I do not take calls from unknown numbers, thanks to my mobile service provider Docomo who calls incessantly everyday for I-don’t-know what all services. But this call was from a mobile number and I answered it.

 

Me: Hello

A male voice: Hi, is this Doell?

Me: Yes

A male voice: Hi Doell. This is Samit Basu. Happy Birthday!

Me (not being able to comprehend what I was listening to): WHAT???!!!!! Is this some kind of joke?

Samit Basu: I can’t really prove my identity over phone. But, I’m really Samit Basu.

Me: But how could you be Samit Basu? How could you get my phone number? How did you know it’s my birthday today?

Samit Basu: Well, your friend Priya had sent me a really sweet mail to call you and wish you on your birthday. She gave me your phone number.

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(I was as awestruck and as baffled as I could be and honestly speaking, I don't remember what I blabbered in that high spirited state of mine, so I am truncating rest of the conversation)

 

So, this was my gift from Priya on my birthday. She had actually mailed and asked my favourite author to call me and wish me on my birthday! And to add to this madness, HE HAD ACTUALLY ACCEPTED! How is that? I slightly remember that I had told Samit Basu about the mails I had written to him after reading Simoqin Prophecies, Manticore’s Secret and The Unwaba Revelation and that he had replied to two of my mails and he actually checked them right then mentioning that I had written him very nice mails! So, it was a proof that it was really Samit Basu who called and wished me on my birthday!

 

It’s almost a month since I had got that call and somehow, it still has not sunk in my mind! No prize for guessing how excited I was and that I was literally jumping around and laughing and screaming! Full marks to Priya for giving the most innovative gift anyone has ever given anyone!

This birthday was special for many other reasons also. This time my mother was here in Bangalore and my sister had come here from Mumbai. So, when we looked back and raked up all of our brains, we came to discover that the last time we all were together was in 2005 in Delhi when my father was alive.

 

This birthday was special for the amount of gifts I have received also. It seems the more I am getting older, the more gifts I am getting J…so I’m not complaining!!!! Here is the complete list of gifts I have got:

1. Casio keyboard (I gifted to myself)
2. Geetobitan (collection of Tagore songs) and a formal shirt (my brother and sister-in-law. My sister-in-law got Geetobitan couriered from Kolkata with help of her cousin!!!)
3. One Salwar piece (my cousin and his family)
4. Two cotton kurtas (my sister)
5. Two books – Switched by Amanda Hocking and Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake by Preeti Shenoy (Priya and Gayathri. Yes, this is the same Priya who had mailed Samit Basu to call me)
6. One purse (which I bought with the money that my mother gave me)
7. One thermal cup with my company name printed (the Birthday committee in my office)
8. One more gift yet to come from a friend who is determined not to give me book anymore and buy a wall clock for me!

 Can’t wait for the next birthday to come J