The last Birthday Party

CHAPTER 26

The last Birthday Party

Children were decorating Anand’s house to celebrate his last birthday. Anand was lying on the bed wearing a new dress. Juice glasses and sweets were placed on the table.

Many people came to attend the function. One by one people entered the house. Coach Raghuram got down with a box of cake in his hand and entered the house.

Dr. Shrikanth, Dr. Ravi, Rekha, Vimal were all in the room. Rekha lighted the candle. Anand was lying on the bed. Vimal brought the cake close to his face. Anand blew the candle. But no one clapped. All were silent. Rekha’s eyes were filled with tears.

Dr. Ravi came near Anand holding a bouquet. He placed the bouquet on the bed near Anand. Anand smiled.

Patting Anand’s cheek, Ravi said, “Happy birthday.”

Happily, Anand said, “Thank you, Sir.”

Dr. Shrikanth came to give a bouquet saying, “God bless you my son.”

Happily, Anand said, “Thank you, Sir.”

Principal came with a bunch of flowers. She kissed Anand’s cheek but was unable to speak. Her eyes were filled with tears. She wiped the tears and moved away silently. One by one people came with flowers but nobody drank the juice or ate the sweets.

After everyone left, Anand’s close friends come near him. Seeing Avinash, Anand felt very happy. “Avinash come and sit near me.”

Avinash gave him a bouquet, saying, “Wish you happy birthday.”

Sindu came in with her mother. Sindhu had a bunch of flowers in her hand. She went near Anand to give him the bunch. But Avinash stopped her.

Avinash said to Sindhu, “Sindu, you always give chess board as present. Whenever you do that, Anand become a champion. Anand will be competing in world championship. This time also you must present him with a chess board. You must not give flowers.”

Sindu’s mother said, “This time she wishes him to survive. That is why she has presented a bunch of flowers with the long live slogan.”

Avinash was not ready to listen. He said, “No, aunty, whenever she gave the chess board, Anand has won. This time he is going to compete in the World championship. She must give chess board only. I will go and bring the chess board myself.”

All were shocked to hear this. Anand tried his best to stop Avinash saying, “No, Avinash, please do not go. Sit here with me.”

Getting up to go, Avinash said, “No, Anand, I must go. Sindu must give you a chess board as present like she usually does. Then you will survive to become the world chess champion.”

Avinash did not listen to anyone. He went out in high speed with great determination.

Avinash took his bicycle and went to a gift shop. He purchased chess board and got it packed. Then he started on his way back eager to reach Anand’s house as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, in his hurry, he failed to see a jeep coming from the opposite direction. The jeep hit the bicycle and Avinash fell down. Blood oozed from his body. The chess board fell far away.