Hey everyone! I’m absolutely thrilled to share with you all the incredible celebration of my 20th birthday! This year, I made sure to come home earlier than planned to celebrate with my family and some of my closest friends. It was extra special because my dad, who’s been away in Baghdad for the past two years, made it home just in time for my big day.

As soon as I reached home, I got in touch with my friends Karan and Mihir, who are studying in Ranchi. We all attended Bishop Westcott Boys’ School in Namkom, Ranchi. It turned out that two more of my close friends from our old school, Nishant and Danish, had also recently returned home. So, we quickly decided to have a get-together at my place to mark the occasion. Nishant studies in Bhubaneshwar, while Danish is in Kolkata.

Danish, Karan, and Nishant arrived at my house around 11 am. Unfortunately, Mihir couldn’t make it due to attendance issues, but we made sure to include him in the fun later. Another dear friend, Gaurav, joined us. Gaurav, who was also my neighbour and schoolmate at St. Anthony’s, added to the nostalgic atmosphere. We spent the morning reminiscing, gossiping, and simply enjoying each other’s company, though we couldn’t help but miss Mihir. After some convincing, Mihir finally agreed to join us, and Nishant and Danish went to bring him over, completing our core group of friends.

My mother prepared a delicious spread of food for my birthday, including our traditional payesh, a Bengali staple believed to bring a long life. We indulged in a hearty lunch featuring pulao, lal saag, dal, aloo dum, chicken butter masala, mutton curry, and chutney, topped off with sweets.

We ate to our heart’s content, sharing laughter and stories until we could barely move from the dining table. The food was simply too good to resist, and the camaraderie of old friends made it all the more enjoyable.

After lunch, we retreated to my room for more chatter and bonding. My dad had pre-ordered a birthday cake, which he brought out for me to cut. With my friends singing the familiar birthday tune, I blew out the candles and made a wish. Of course, no birthday cake cutting is complete without a little mischief, and soon, my friends were smearing cake and cream on my face and head, leading to an impromptu cake fight.

As evening approached, my school friends bid their farewells, leaving me with cherished memories of a truly unforgettable birthday celebration. Their presence made it one of the most memorable birthdays I’ve ever had, and I’m immensely grateful for their friendship and love.

In the evening, we continued the festivities with a special dinner at Hotel Capitol Hill, where we were joined by some close family friends. The restaurant, known for its exquisite cuisine, provided another birthday cake for me to cut. We enjoyed a lavish dinner of soup, North Indian dishes, Gulab jamun, ice cream, and, of course, more cake. It was a grand finale to an already amazing day, leaving me feeling incredibly blessed and content.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my mom and dad for arranging everything so beautifully, and for the wonderful watch they gifted me. And to all my friends and family who wished me a happy birthday and made this day so special, you guys truly rock! 😊 Here’s to many more years of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories!

Thank you all for being a part of my journey and making my 20th birthday one for the books!