Shefali, said, “Please correct me if I am wrong. I think Ritu celebrated her birthday in January as well.”
Meenu said, “May be she did not invite you to her birthday party. So, you are inventing some ridiculous story.”
“Of course she invited me in January. She even cut her birthday cake. It was my favourite blueberry cake, and then…”
Raju interjected, “Cake cutting is common at all birthday parties. What is so unique?”
“Will you let me finish?” Shefali asked.
“Who will waste time listening to you. Instead, we can discuss the birthday party.” Meenu adjusted the ribbon on her neatly wrapped gift.
The next day, Shefali noticed a red pencil box in Mona’s hands. She was startled! She asked Mona, “How surprising! I have a similar pencil box. From where did you get yours?”
“This is Ritu’s return gift. I got it last evening,” said Mona.
Return gifts
Shefali was now convinced that she had attended Ritu’s birthday party three months ago. There was no reason to be wrong. “This pencil box…yes, I am quite sure now,” she assured herself.
During recess, Shefali had a long chat with Mona. “Ritu throws a birthday party every three months.
“I think you are right. Last evening she was telling me she likes getting gifts,” said Mona. “We will talk about it this evening.” That evening, some friends got together at Shefali’s home.
Deepu said, “I gifted her a pink teddy bear six months ago, on her birthday”
Palak said, “I gave her a video game.”
Reena was puzzled, “But why doesn’t she invite all of us together?”
“What is the fun in celebrating a birthday so frequently?” Ravinder asked, sounding annoyed.
“And she even demands gifts of her choice,” said Manisha.
“She has been so nice and helpful. But now she has changed,” said Meenu.
All of them were feeling cheated and upset. They decided to confront Ritu, and went to her house.
Ritu was surprised to see all of them. She was close to tears when Sheena admonished her, “How can you be so greedy? You have cheated your own friends.”
Ritu said, “I agree. But please be patient, I can explain everything. Please come with me.” They followed her down a narrow lane. They criss-crossed some cramped lanes, until finally they reached an old building. A board hung at the entrance —“Little Friends’ Orphanage”.
“Please come in,” said Ritu. When they entered the hall, they saw a group of kids.
“All those toys and gifts which I brought for you were sent by these friends,” said Ritu to the children, pointing to her friends. The children clapped their hands.
“I wanted to fulfil their requests but could not afford it all with my limited pocket money. So, whenever they asked for something I used to ask you all as my birthday gift,” said Ritu.
“But you could have been open with us,” said Mayank.
“Didn’t I ask you all to spend some time with the kids in orphanage? I even asked you to share some of your pocket money for these kids,” Ritu reminded them.
“And we ignored your suggestion” said Shefali, as she hung her head. All of them felt guilty for suspecting the intentions of their good friend.
“Now we will spend time every weekend with these kids,” said Raghav.
“Sure,” said the group of friends.
“And I will not have to celebrate my birthday every three months,” said Ritu, sounding relieved.
