It was Mala’s birthday tomorrow,she was so excited and she was hyperactive the whole day.Her count down began the day she got her new dresses.She always got two dresses for her birthday.This year her father got her two lovely skirts,one was cream with beautiful frills and it gave a mala a bubbly look.It was made of satin with pink lace bordering the edges and it was just above her knee.The blouse was much simpler with a simple embroidery cut lace around her small neck and it was effectively fitted to the blouse which blended into the top.The sleeve was short with a small bow at the end of it and it fitted her perfectly. she had good strong arms so it held on to her hand rather perfectly.She had the same kind of pretty little socks which matched her dress.She had a nice pink satin ribbon for her hair.Her hair was slightly brown and glossy so the satin ribbon added a special glow to the already lustrous hair.The other dress was quite similar but it was red with cream lace.when she saw the two dresses she had already made up her mind that she will give Bala the other dress to wear and the two would be in their new dress.That was also another reason why she was so excited.She told Bala that she would meet her at the bus stop,but never told her why.she took the red dress put them into the bag and took a cycle which was small and cute.Her sithappa had got it for her last birthday.she pushed the cycle quietly so that she wouldn’t disturb her mom who was working in the kitchen.she tip toed and closed the door behind her and hurriedly sat on it and rode down the road.
The bus stop was 5 minutes from her house,it was evening so there were children playing outside,mala found her way through them. She was so excited,she had to see bala.she saw bala waiting for her at the bus stop,not many of them where there.she was sitting on the bench at the bus stop,there familiar spot.Mala jumped from her cycle and parked her cycle took the bag with her and walked towards bala.Bala smiled as she went near her and handed over the bag to her. Bala took it from her opened it and said “is this for you” mala shook her head and said” no it is for you” “What! are you joking? tomorrow is your birthday not mine,so you should be the one with loads of presents not me....” Mala said “when I am wearing a new dress i want you also to wear a new one, otherwise I am also not going to wear them.bala looked at her and reluctantly said OK. but “wouldn’t your parents ask you where is the other dress” Mala smiled and said “yes they will ask, but I can tell them something” “ forget them look at it. Bala took it out and said “ oh! it is so pretty.where is yours? Mala said” i wanted you to see me only tomorrow” “OK. I have to go I will see you tomorrow at 7.00 before you go to school.” Mala nodded and said bye and cycled back home.
The next morning,Mala was up and ready before 7 and was ready to go. she had a nice box of chocolate to take it to school and she she packed kesari for bala and that was her breakfast too. she took her school bag and hurried down the street. she met Bala at the bus stop.The two girls looked very pretty.Mala looked at bala, she was so pretty,with large eyes and the eyes looked like they being drawn and she had long eyelashes curved back wards,her nose was long straight and there was a slight contour around her nose which dropped down her lips which was pink,and it matched her lace today.her hair was tied up with a nice pink satin ribbon and it was longer than Mala thought.As she came closer to bala ,bala said” Happy birthday” Mala giggled and said “ oh thank you, I am so excited,how do I look in this dress” you are the most prettiest girl i have ever seen” replied Bala. Mala blushed,and hurriedly gave her the kesari and bala said “very delicious” “ tell your mom it was very good” Mala nodded,she gave her some chocolate,bala said “have a wonderful day”.Mala thanked her and said she had to go and said bye and hurried to school.
Her day went peacefully, all her friends wished her and she was so happy when she got back home.Her mother told her to wash her face and change to the other dress because they had to go to the temple for special pooja.Mala froze what will she tell her mom, she hastily went to the bathroom washed her face and wiping her face went near her mother and said “amma should i wear that dress ,let me wear this one itself ,i like this one i will wear them some other day. her mom turned around and said” i don’t want you to wear the same one,it is smelling of sweat,so go and change. I have kept them on the bed,and the socks is in my closet. come on hurry up and change. it is getting late” Mala turned around,shocked she went to the bed room and there on the bed was her dress neatly folded and as new as ever.Mala was confused. she went closer took the frock and opened it. it was the same frock which she had given bala. she went to her mom and slowly asked her if anyone came home. she said no one.
Mala dazzed walked back to the room closed the room and sat on her bed.why did bala return the dress?was she angry with her for something,or is it she didn’t like her dress.... so many thoughts came to her mind.she changed into that dress otherwise her mom would ask her why.she got ready and her mom said “ shall we go,let me get the flowers for the archana,saying she took out a bowl which had flowers for the pooja.she put them into a cover and pushed it into her pooja basket and talking she stepped out of the house locked the door behind her and walked briskly down the road. Mala was quiet, as she walked thinking about bala and why she returned the dress.As they entered the temple the temple bell rang and her mother hurried her because it was time for the evening pooja. her mom just in front of her,mala was walking slowly when she heard someone calling out her name when she turned she saw bala standing there wearing her dress.Mala couldn’t believe her eyes. she looked at herself and both their dresses were the same in every aspect. Bala came up to her and said,”hey you are wearing the same colour dress” and winked at Mala,Mala gasped for breath,”I am shocked how did this happen”.Bala put her hands around Mala and said “ whatever you wear, is what i will wear.Nee enul paathi,I am with you always,and you are part of me, so how could we be different......”saying she smiled, turned and walked away.
Meendum Varuval..........
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