And the birthday continues

Consequential to my birthday wishes write ups a friend probably wanting to sacrifice me at the altar of friendship messaged me to please give a hug to the better three fourths on her behalf and so ... ....

The thunder storms reflected the turmoil within . Tasked by a friend  with an unusual commitment to transfer a hug I had worked for 3 hours to draw up the blue print. How does one do it ?

Wracked my brain for another 2 hours to extract close encounters  of the hug kind almost two decades back and gameplan on how it could be done . More like war games actually .

Hug from the right shoulder to shoulder buddy style and a quick 'your friend gave a hug'.

Or

perhaps more like a religious hug with lots of smiles and kind words praising the lord .

This was tortuous but had to be done.

"Hello listen "The subject stopped in her tracks expecting some berating and readied self defense with a glare.

'Listen . No actually not listen . Here take this '

Arms spread out . But no reciprocation . She actually takes a martial arts defensive stance.

" What are you doing ? "

" Well ', edging more closer to envelop the being .

" WAIT ' a shocked troubled, perturbed and irked voice and irritated face in an unusual combination emerged

" Is this some trick - I am not in a mood for those lousy childlike antics . Even Virohan has give up those "

'Uh' I said , warily backing off

"What then ?"

" You know that Nandita   she wrote that a hug needs to be transferred to you ..so"

" WHAT?" I knew then when a what comes in bold and caps it is over

" Are you nuts?. You should tell her she can hug me when she meets me . Why all this electronic mail transfer "

"Yes I say meekly you are right " and back off actually relieved

"WAIT" again in bold and caps she screams

I stop in my tracks

'Why are you relieved?'

 The startling ringing  tone of a strident phone saves me and I escape .....!!!

FB saves me !

Facebook notification wakes me up. Let Sarita Navindutt Rao know what you are thinking of her !
I mean like has FB gone mad. I am supposed to tell her what I think of her? 'Pagal kutte ne kaata hain kya ?'

Incredibly disturbed that FB was now trying to rake up matrimonial disharmony I reread the notification and heaved a sigh of relief.

It read ' Let Sarita know you are thinking of her'
Clever. Aah ! They had read my mind and removed the 'What'

I went across to her this morning and told her I was thinking of her.  She looked at me like something the cat had brought in.

"What ?" She asked in a dramatic fashion followed by an emphatic Mumbaiyaa " Kuch Bhi "

I said " Look my social life governance manager directed me to say so"

"What ??? . And who is that? "  disbelieving  perhaps that someone actually wanted to manage her husbands social life.

" I mean like the social network site that I visit and obey daily"

" Hmmmm. Is that just what you read? or something else?"

I was now unsure. Was this a trap? Had she sent me a message that I had missed? But she is not on FB so was unsure what she was alluding to.

Her hands on her waist now . Oh oh .. Not a good sign..pursed lips...the situation was getting worse...nostrils flaring..this was real bad now....

" Perhaps you may want to consider getting your social life managed by your son? "

"Why?" I asked meekly

" Because he wished me a happy birthday this morning and that a part of the prelude to the notification was perhaps lost on you??? " She glared hands pressing hard into a poor lemon she was trying to squeeze the juice of. The lemon begged for forgiveness but then I am digressing.

I looked at my son. He looked calmly nonchalantly at his laptop screen pretending to be delving deep into quantum mechanics trying hard to ignore his betrayal of his father. They guy had sucked up serious brownie points by being the lone ranger to wish in the family. He tried hard not to meet my stare lest it lead to a financial grave for his next pocket money dole out.

I turned back to my wife " Look that is a different issue. I was meaning to surprise you "

" Surprise ??? . When?  After the day is over ? " She glared back shocked

" Errr , I was planning to join hands with Brutus err I mean Virohan and actually take you to Komala's for lunch'

" Komala's ...even today"   I knew now I had gone 9 feet deep digging.

" No look forget the lunch, let's go for a walk in the nature park"

" And do what ? Look at you staring into the lovely pixellated eyes of a dragon fly ? ....NO ! "

Ok Sarita .. I get the point....and went back to my laptop

The social governance manager had refreshed.

Today is Sarita's birthday. Hope you have wished her well

Ooooppss......I rushed back

" Happy Birthday Sarita. Have a great day "