The Hundredth Birthday

With a shivering hand, Kannan carefully applied chandanam on his forehead. He stood before the idol of Lord Krishna with folded hands.

What is this, Kanna? 100? You kept me on earth for a hundred years?? Have you no intention of calling me to You? This year, You have to summon me! He glared at the deity in mock anger.

He looked at the ground and again at the idol of the Lord. Kanna, should I attempt? Can I trust You to support this old devotee? Don’t play your games with me! He slowly bowed his body and to his relief, he could prostrate himself on the ground. Ah, you kept my honour! He sent out a silent note of thanks to the deity of the temple.

“Eh Kannan, Birthday Wishes!” His best friend of more than eight decades, Menon called out to him. Kannan marched with an unsteady gait towards him and sat beside him at the raised podium on the side of the temple.

“Thank you. You aren’t much behind. Just two more years for you to reach the three-digit figure!” Kannan joked.

Menon shrugged casually. “Let us see what Guruvayurappan wishes! So, what is special for today, besides the party in the evening?”

Kannan cringed visibly at the mention of the party. “The young ones are all about showing off now-a-days. Not to mention the thousands of photos and – what they call it, selfies? Huh – they drive me crazy! I was never into the mobile phones or laptops or photos or other stuff… I don’t understand the lifestyle of these people! I had refused for the party but who listens to a hundred-year old in the house now? Let them do whatever they want.”

Menon laughed. “Kannan, be cooperative today and don’t be your usual grumpy self. You are blessed that your daughters, sons and their own families, along with your grandchildren and one great grand-child have come together to celebrate your birthday. Enjoy with them. It is not as if you are going to be 100 every year!”

Kannan scowled at Menon’s lame attempt at a joke.

“Okay, but how come you are alone here today morning? Usually your bodyguard grandson Ravi is always with you wherever you go. How did he leave you alone!” Menon asked in amusement.

Kannan smiled slightly. “I got up, finished my morning chores and left the house before anyone could wake up. I am expecting one of them to rush here any moment now.”

Sure enough, Ravi came rushing towards them. “There you are, Muttaccha! We were searching for you. Happy birthday!” Ravi hugged Kannan who patted his back with a grumble and a frown. He was not much into all this public display of affection that the people now-a-days indulged in. Menon hid his smile.

“Let us go home. We have lots to do. Not to forget that you have to teach us to tie the Veshti properly for today’s party!” Ravi said, blissfully unaware of the horrific look that Kannan exchanged with Menon. Ravi waved to Menon. “Uncle, see you at the hotel today evening and don’t forget that it is traditional wear, as instructed by Muttacchan!” Ravi laughed as Kannan elbowed him and they slowly made way to their home.

By evening, the entire household was in a state of wild excitement. Everyone was in their traditional wear and a lot of confusion was happening over the photo session. Kannan managed to smile at the photos although the millions of selfies made him want to scowl at the camera. He took photos with his grandchildren and his great-grand child who was undoubtedly his favourite family member. The two-year old baby-girl never made a fuss of anything, went out to him whenever he stretched his hands towards her and was often content in simply sitting on his lap. Mainly, the blessed child never asked for a ‘selfie’.

Then suddenly someone remembered that it was time to go to the hotel for the birthday party. Another bout of confusion erupted over who would travel in whose car and which car should Kannan travel in. He decided to go in the car in which his great grand-daughter was supposed to go. That would give him a chance to hold her for some more time. What… a hundred-year old was still human and could still get attached to human beings!

They reached the hotel and proceeded towards the banquet hall which was lavishly decorated with flowers. The guests who had been invited had already assembled and welcomed Kannan with a loud round of applause. Kannan managed to keep his smile on even though he wasn’t used to all this attention. He personally greeted every guest and exchanged pleasantries as his loyal bodyguard Ravi stood beside him.

“You seem to be enjoying all the attention.” Menon said with a smirk as he approached Kannan who glared at him.

“I am not used to all this! I would have liked a simple evening at home.” He shook his head slightly, feeling overwhelmed with the excitement around him.

“The decorations are beautiful.” Menon remarked.

Kannan smiled mischievously. “Let us see the corner where I would cut the cake. I want to have a glimpse of it. Come soon before that omnipresent Ravi remembers that he left my side for few seconds.” Menon laughed and both seniors made way towards the corner of the banquet hall which was where the cake was supposed to be cut.

As Kannan approached the corner, his smile dropped. Pure disappointment struck him. Menon sensed a change in his mood. “Kannan, what happened? Are you feeling all right?”

“There are no balloons.” Kannan whispered, his voice shaking.

Menon looked around. “Indeed, it is surprising that there are no balloons. But why does that matter?”

“It matters because …“ Kannan paused, feeling overwhelmed with emotion, “she liked balloons. She absolutely adored them and often said that any party was incomplete without balloons. I never liked them – they do make a lot of noise, you know - but I saw the happiness the balloons brought to her and always brought them for her birthday.” He sniffled, feeling overcome with the memories of his late wife.

“I know Muttaccha!” Kannan turned around in surprise and saw Ravi usher in some guys who were holding lots of helium balloons. They started handing over the balloons to all the guests. “And hence, I brought these for you! They won’t stay down, they will just float up to the ceiling, so you don’t have to fear them burst out and surprise you!” Ravi said with a smile.

Kannan smiled slightly and patted his grandson’s back. He whispered to Ravi. “Don’t tell anyone, specially not that baby, but now you are my favourite family member.” Ravi laughed out and said, “It will be our secret, Mutttaccha.”

Then, in the presence of his entire family and his loyal friends from decades back, Kannan cut the cake, smiling as the guests let out the balloons and they floated gently towards the ceiling. In his mind, he heard his wife laugh with happiness and knew that she too was present in the celebration.