Tuesday, December 22, 2009

So imagine this. My mum invited her professor friends over for dinner, and I came home to things being laid out. "They're bringing a friend," she tells me. "Bring out an extra chair." They arrive and she says, "Their friend didn't come." I don't particularly care, but I offer to clear away the extra chair, and my mum hushes me away with a "Not now la! Let them rest."

And tadah, just before dinner, k shows up and my parents shout, "Surprise! It's your birthday!" It's not my birthday, not even a week to it, but it's suddenly carnival night on Tah Ching Road with fireworks spelling my name. He brings a strudel and is proud of himself for keeping his visit a secret.
So thus begins my first birthday cake of the year, with k and my dad the most exuberant and expressive birthday singers one could ask for. Professor Keith and his Lady Goodness Jeanette were interesting birthday guests, telling spy stories and how their first date was on an African safari.

My parents are always trying to give me birthday surprises. There were a few consecutive years of surprises, until I had to tell them to stop because I expected it. The very first surprise was when I was five or six. She shoved my friends and me into my room to play Candyland, and when she called us out all my friends were in the living room. I pretended to faint, because I was a dramatic kid. I did that a couple more times until my mum said, "stop it ah."

Last night my mother was mighty pleased with herself because I had the shock of my life. Firstly that k had shown up; secondly, that it was my birthday party to begin with. She said, "I had it early so she would be surprised. Next year we'll have it in October. Confirmed surprised!"

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Awwwww!~

 

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