Birthday Celebrations and Surprises

As November rolled in, the festive spirit of Diwali seamlessly transitioned into excitement for Avin's birthday on November 10. This year, the celebration was set to be particularly special as it coincided with Diwali, doubling the joy and festivity. Maya, determined to make Avin's birthday memorable, had meticulously planned several surprises with the help of both their families, all set to unfold in Coimbatore.

In the days leading up to the birthday, Maya was busy coordinating with Avin's parents, who were eager to surprise their son. They arranged to travel from Kerala to Coimbatore, bringing with them Avin's favorite dishes and gifts. Maya, on her part, was putting together a scrapbook filled with messages from friends and family, photos of their first year as a married couple, and tokens of their shared memories.

The house in Coimbatore was subtly decorated with lights and flowers, reflecting the Diwali festivities and adding a layer of birthday cheer. Streamers and balloons were tucked away to be put up on the eve of his birthday, ensuring everything would look festive when the day arrived.

On the evening of November 9th, Avin and Maya returned from Kerala to Coimbatore, under the pretense that Maya wanted to celebrate Diwali with her mother. Avin suspected nothing, focused on the dual celebration of Diwali and his anticipation of spending the festival with family.

As they arrived, Avin was greeted by the warmly lit home, adorned with Diwali lamps and subtle birthday decorations, a perfect blend of tradition and personal celebration. His parents, hiding in the kitchen, jumped out to surprise him, leading to laughter and heartfelt embraces.

The night was filled with joyous celebrations, good food, and the warmth of family. As midnight approached, Maya brought out a homemade cake, leading everyone in a chorus of "Happy Birthday." Avin, overwhelmed by the love and effort everyone had put into the day, felt deeply grateful and cherished.

Post the cake-cutting, the family spent time lighting fireworks, a tradition for Diwali, which also doubled up as a celebration for Avin's birthday. The sky lit up with colors, mirroring the happiness that Avin felt surrounded by his loved ones.

As the night drew to a close, guests started to leave, and the family settled down in the living room, sharing stories and laughter. As the clock neared 2 AM, fatigue began to set in, and the group decided to call it a night.

Maya and Avin, before heading to bed, spent a few quiet moments together on the balcony, watching the last of the Diwali fireworks. "This was the best birthday ever," Avin whispered, squeezing Maya's hand.

"Only the best for you," Maya replied with a smile, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction at how well everything had gone.

As they prepared for bed, Maya gave Avin one last gift—the diary she had kept during her time in Florida. "Something to read when you can't sleep," she said with a wink.