February

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What is with February and birthdays? Almost everyone seems to be having their birthday in February, be it celebrities or blog-people or family members. Both of my sisters have their birthday in February, one of them today. February has always been the month full of days. Those days when I was student, my allowance never seemed to be sufficient in the month of February. I made future plans to blow up my whole paycheck. Now I earn but the days are not there.

Anyway today after hearing the beep coming out of my cellphone, I called my sister and wished her. I had put the reminder incase I forget. These days a birthday seems to be so closely associated with wishing that most of the time I forget that this was the day when the person took birth.

I remember when I was kid; I never bothered about my birthday. It is not that only others forget my birthday, even I remember it after a week or so has passed. There were few years, when I was conscious of my birthday but now I am back to my usual self.

While writing this, last year’s episode comes to my mind. I had taken the morning flight to Italy for my seven days vacation. It was a typical hot summer day and I was checking into a hotel in Venice. The receptionist was filling the details while I was trying to locate ‘Piazzale Roma’ on map.
Suddenly she said “Happy Birthday”. I could not understand anything and said “What?” I guess I had not reacted in normal way because she put a timid face and said, “It’s in your passport” and then I realized it was my birthday. I was totally embarrassed, managed a weak smile and said “Grazie”.

Well, that was it. “Happy Birthday” to all those who are having their birthday in February.