Ashwin was distracted by the beautiful sight of his girl playing the perfect host, striking conversations with all of his friends gathered in Martin and Tanu's beach house. Diametrically opposite to him, she was like a graceful butterfly fly-dancing in a garden of flowers. He did not know how he got lucky to have her in his life. Right from when the clock struck 12 last night, she has been making him feel that this has been the best birthday ever and as a bonus she had given him so many thoughtful presents. So far he had received 25 presents in less than 24 hours.

Ashwin woke up to a soft feeling on his neck. He opened his eyes to find this radiant girl kissing his neck with her big eyes full of joy.

S: Happy birthday babyyyyy! One of your birthday presents is to start your day with a birthday kiss.

She gave him a nibble kiss even before he could thank her for the midnight wish.

A: Thank you ma. When did you come?

S: Enna aalu nee! Un girlfriend un birthday anniku, midnight la unna kiss panni wish pannuna, eppo vantha, yen vantha nu mokka podara nee! Therave maata, waste uh!

A: Oye! It is my birthday, don't be rude to me.

S: Aama la, uncle ayita! Congrats on the big 30.

Ashwin glared at her! The mere mention of age had touched a raw nerve in him!

S: Sorry sorry sorry! Tension aagatheenga! Naan oru loosu, eppo enna pesarathunu theriyaama solliten. Sorryyyy Ashwineeyy!

Ashwin rolled her onto her back straddling her. He pinned her hands on her sides.

A: You deserve to be punished for calling me old!

S: Eppadiyum ethuvum panna porathu illa, eppo parthaalum paathi la vitutu pora aalu nee. Etho oru page dialogue pesa pora, athuku en ivlo scene?

Ashwin raised his eyebrows at her statement.

A: Reverse psychology try panaraya?

S: Appadiyavathu ethavathu pannuvayaanu paakaren.

A: Dirty mind! Punishment doesn't necessarily have to be that.

She understood his plans from the evil grin on his face. She tried to free herself in vain to escape the tickle monster in him. He bent down to rub her neck, the most ticklish part of her body with his beard. She squirmed and kicked her legs trying to break free but she was completely trapped. She laughed at being tickled until she couldn't breath anymore and he let go off her arms when she started screaming for him to stop in between her laughter. He grinned at her while waiting for her to calm down.

A: Beautiful! That is the return gift for my birthday kiss.

She pushed him off her and jumped out of bed to look at herself in the mirror. Her neck, chin and shoulders were super rosy, thanks to his beard.

S: Ashwinnn!! You have to stop this! I hate reminding myself to cover these hickeys and beard burn with make up. I have been in really awkward situations already.

Ashwin shrugged his shoulders and took his personal phone which was ringing nonstop for the last 10 minutes. It was his sister. He found it odd when he saw that his entire family was on the facetime call screaming their birthday wishes.

A: Thank you so much. Anju nee eppadi amma appa kuda iruka?

Anju: Last evening vanthen. Seri, what plans today? Sivaangi enga?

A: No plans, we will go out for dinner I guess. Sivaangi ippo than room la irunthu velila pona. Apparam pesa solaren.

Sivaangi's personal phone started ringing. Ashwin picked the phone from the bedside table, saw that it was Sundar and answered the call, while Anju insisted on staying on the line too for some reason. Sivaangi's parents and brother wished him a very happy birthday and in came Sivaangi with a small cake which had a candle on it. She had her other phone in her hand videotaping everything. Everyone started singing happy birthday.

She sat on the bed with him and switched to the front camera so she could be on the video too. She placed the other two phones on the bedside table so they could watch him blow the candle and cut the cake. Ashwin was overwhelmed with joy.

A: Thank you so much, I wish you all could be here right now. But this makes me happy too.

S: Okayyy!! Apparam feel pannalaam, ippo cake cut pannunga.

Ashwin blew the candle and Sivaangi asked him to make a wish.

A: Naan enna kozhandhaya?

S: Aama, ennaku neenga vazhandha kozhandha than. Quick, make a wish! It will come true before the next birthday!

A: Okay, I wish..

S: Not aloud, in your head!

Ashwin shook his head at her beliefs.

I wish to make this woman my wife this year.

When they were finally settled in bed after the call and cake, Ashwin felt really content.

A: Did you really bake the cake for me?

S: Yes I did! My sixth attempt! Arrearsku kuda ivlo attempt eduthathu illa naan.

A: Means a lot to me ma.

S: Chumma solla vendaam Ashwiney. Naanum sapitenla, ennaku theriyum eppadi irunthuthunu. It didn't taste great.

A: Serious ah ma. It was nice for an amateur baker.

Sivaangi's phone chimed just then, she got out of bed and went to the wardrobe to get something out of her bag.

She came back with an oddly shaped object gift wrapped in silver.

S: Open it!

A: Ennathu ithu?

S: Ada! Birthday gift ah open pannu pa.

Ashwin ripped it open and found a feeding bottle with a rolled parchment inside.

A: Am I to drink coffee in this from tomorrow?

S: Very funny! This is for your first birthday that I missed.

A: Hilarious! So are you going to give me 30 gifts with 29 for all the ones you have missed so far?

S: YES!

A: You are kidding right?

S: No!

A: Ma, you don't have to!

S: I know that I don't have to but I want to. Stop talking and open it.

Ashwin took the piece of rolled paper which had a beautiful handwritten note.

Happy birthday to the wonderful man I love!

This day is all about you and I will make up for the 29 birthdays I missed.

Words can't explain my love for you and I intend to show it to you through my actions for the rest of our lives.

You will remain the love of my life, the king of my heart and the man of my dreams until my last breath.

Love you manna! xx

A: Sivaangi ma, don't make me cry. This is beautiful beyond words. You are the only present I need in my life.

S: I am yours. But how is it fun without some extra presents and thoughts on your birthday?

A: My birthday isn't a big deal. Never have been.

S: It is to me!! I love birthdays in general and today is your birthday, how can I pretend that it is just another ordinary day?!?

A: I hope you aren't bringing in any shocking surprises.

S: Illa, simple surprises than.

A: Ma, ithellam romba over. Nee nenachallum ennoda first 9, illa 10 birthdays ku gift kuduthiruka mudiyathu. It would have been creepy for someone who wasn't even born to give me a present!

S: Ppaaah! Eppadi ungalukku mattum ippadi ellam yosika thoonuthunu therila. Seri vidunga, next present open pannunga. Apparam thoongalaam.

She handed him a small box which he opened eagerly to see what he would have got for his second birthday. It was a toy car. Just right for a 2 year old.

A: Perfect second birthday present.

S: Hahaha. It isn't a second birthday present. If I had a lot of money, I would have bought you a real car. But remembered you being this old man who watches Bond movies. So I picked an Aston Martin DB5 model car.

A: Very thoughtful! Actually it looks nice, I love it. Thank you.

He kissed her cheeks and she snuggled into him like a teddy bear.

S: Thoongalaam. Happy birthday again my baby boo!

In the morning when Ashwin stepped out of the shower, he was surprised to find a few perfectly wrapped gifts on the bed.

Sivaangi stood there next to the bed and clapped her hands cutely the way she always does.

S: Birthday boy! Time for presents.

A: Ivlo presents ah?

S: Aama, vaa open pannu.

Ashwin opened the packages one by one. She wanted him to have new things today. So he was dressed in new clothes: a white shirt with short sleeves flattering his biceps, a striped trousers, a pair of beige loafers and even a new pair of boxers!!

S: Sema smart ah irukeenga. If dapper had a face, it would be you!

Ashwin chuckled at her gushing about his looks. He then moved on to open four smaller packages. He found a brown leather wallet, a Bleu Chanel perfume, a Tomford sunglasses and a beautiful customised photo tile leather key ring with his initials engraved on it. He found a few photo tiles of him with his family and her inside.

S: You know that I don't care about brands but I have noticed that you enjoy them. So I took Tanu chechi's help to pick this perfume and sunglasses for you. I hope you like it.

A: I love them. But you did not have to spend your savings on these. You know I don't care about materialistic things.

S: I know you don't. Have we been together before, I would have given you small presents now and then, so think about it as a long overdue present. Enough with presents for now. Let us go get some breakfast. I am starving!!

They walked out of the room only to be deafened by the sound of party poppers blowing out confetti and a big crowd screaming happy birthday. Ashwin was startled to see his family and Sivaangi's family in his living room. Neha and Nithin came running to hug his legs. He lifted them and he was showered with kisses.

A: What a lovely surprise!!! Eppo vantheenga Coimbatore la irunthu?

S: We came last evening. We stayed at Sivaangi's. It was all her plan to surprise you.

A: Sivaangi ma, this is very touching. Thank you for planning this whole thing.

Anju: Dai, engalluku thanks sollaama avalluku thanks sollitu iruka?

A: She arranged it all didn't she? But yes, thank you all!

Anju: Ayyo sorry da. Formal ah pesaathe ippo.

S: We should make this a family tradition, birthday breakfast on every birthday in this family.

Anju: If only we all lived in the same city!

S: Let us try.

After a fun family breakfast, the couple took blessings from the elders and Ashwin's parents gave the couple silk clothes and asked them to wear it to their temple visit. Sivaangi's parents gave him a small box. He opened it to find one of the really expensive Tag watches. He felt a little awkward to accept it.

A: Appa, I can't accept this! It is very expensive for a birthday gift. You don't have to do it.

B: Sivaangi, Ashwin amma unnaku kudutha necklace ah thirumbi kuduthidu da.

A: Amma, athu vera. It is a tradition.

K: This is no different. We are not repaying. We wanted to buy something meaningful and useful. Your engagement was too quick and we couldn't give you anything so this seemed the right time. Sivaangi and Sundar choose this.

A: Thank you so much. What is there to not love it!

After the family left to Sivaangi's house straight from the temple, to give the love birds some much needed alone time, Sivaangi brought out another small gift from her backpack.

A: Ma, please tell me that this is the last one!

S: Half way there.

A: What???

S: Just open it.

Ashwin opened to find a 30th birthday scrapbook filled in with some pictures and some blank pages to fill over the years to come. She has definitely put in some serious thinking into all the gifts. He was turning pages and glancing at the pictures, some from the CWC days brought back nostalgic memories.

A: I miss CWC shoots. I can't believe it has come to an end. It was one magnificent journey.

S: I miss it too. I miss everyone, it was like family.

A: I know right! I have never been with a team like that ever before. We should plan a weekend dinner or something with the team.

S: You are so busy with your shoots. I will figure out something.

SURPRISE!!!!!

Another round of party poppers and a room full of floating balloons with pictures of him with different people from the CWC team, he found some of his close friends from the team in his living room.

Ashwin dragged Sivaangi into the bedroom when he was done talking to his friends. She had ordered a takeout for everyone and they were all too busy catching up, that nobody took notice of the missing couple.

He leaned his forehead against hers when he pulled back from the kiss.

A: I have been waiting to kiss you all day.

S: What was stopping you?

A: Your plans. Do we get any alone time today? I love these surprises but I want to spend time with you. Alone.

Before Sivaangi could answer, there was a loud knock on the door.

Rakshan: Dai, velila vaanga da rendu perum.

Ashwin groaned as he rested his head on her shoulders.

A: Varom, nee poda.

Ashwin stretched his legs on the couch. He was actually tired. Sivaangi was on the phone discussing her shoot next week. He looked around at all the gift wrappers and the mess in the room. He was too lazy to clean. He had another round of presents from Sivaangi which had random things from a gaming chair to Man Utd giftset, a duffel bag, a gym kit and a box of homemade chocolates that she had made. It actually tasted yum.

Ashwin aimlessly changed channels on tv but his mind was filled with theses irrational thought about jinxing his perfect life. Life suddenly felt too good to be true. He was really scared that he might wake up and realise that the last 6 months has been a mere dream. Six months ago, he remembered walking into the CWC set feeling like a complete loser. It was his last chance with his career.

Lady luck finally walked into his life. He met the woman of his dreams, he got a career break, made good friends in the sets, and most importantly he started to believe in people. His first movie was out in the theatres and it was a hit. He received remarkable appreciation from the masses for his performance and, critics labelled it an exceptional role for a debuting actor. He was very happy with his progress and Sivaangi was very proud of him, so were their families. He was flooded with scripts and he did not want to make the mistake of getting the fame to rule his head. He learnt to stay grounded and choose the right scripts. He has signed 3 movies already and he was finishing the shoots for the music albums he had signed earlier.

All of his friends circle in the industry knew about their relationship now. Their families were waiting for the couple to decide on a wedding date.

Sivaangi sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulders.

S: Enna yosanaila irukeenga?

A: Ithellam romba pudhusa iruku ma, actual ah oru maara uneasy ah iruku. Last year inneram enna pannitu irunthennu theriyuma? Ithellam nejama nadakuthaa illa kanavaa? Future eppadi irukum?

S: Ashwin, haven't you heard of the saying.. Don't dwell in the past and don't dream of the future, focus on the present and live life to the fullest. Whatever happens, we will be in this together. As long as we have each other, we can face it all. Life is definitely not going to be a bed of roses, we will face a lot of problems but we will learn to work it out as we go. If we keep worrying about that, how are we supposed to enjoy what we have in front of us? Just chill!

Ashwin smiled in wonder at this young girl who managed to calm him in any given situation.

S: Seri, let us get ready.

A: For what?

S: Dinner?

A: Where do you want to go? We can maybe get a takeaway?

S: No way! We are going Tanu chechi's. They are going back to America in two days so I promised to go see the kids.

Ashwin was annoyed now!

A: Why on my birthday?

S: So that I can have you to myself for the weekend without any disturbances.

A: What?? Sounds really stupid! Who plans dinner with friends on fiancé's birthday?

S: Ashwineyy!

A: You know what? Let u get done with it. I don't want any arguments today.

Ashwin's mind was still annoyed with Sivaangi even though he was happy on the outside that she had invited a few close friends to a small gathering at the beach house, true friends who stood by him during his struggles. There was a surprise video of wishes played on the big screen, it was from friends who couldn't make it to the party. It was quiet emotional to see these people genuinely wishing him from the bottom of his heart. After the video, Tanu brought a cake for the celebrations. The final surprise was the best of all.

As he heard her sing to him, Ashwin gulped down a sob and blinked his eyes that refused to leave her face. It was a beautiful self composition with Martin playing the piano in the background. He was rendered speechless when she finished the song and took his hand in hers to slip a simple ring on his finger.

S: Ashwin, I love you. When I think back, I fell in love with you at first sight. I must have because I couldn't stop thinking about you from the first time our eyes met. You glided into my life effortlessly and took this place in my heart that I never knew existed. I know it sounds like wedding vows but this is what I feel in my heart for you. I promise to be beside you forever, as your lover, as your best friend, and as a mother when needed. We will together fight our fears and battles in our life.

I am glad you proposed to me because I did not have it in me to get myself to open up about my love at the fear of being rejected by you. But I would like for you to know that I have dreamed a million times about going down on one knee to propose to you.

I now feel privileged to be that person who owns your heart, I am happy to make you laugh and laugh with you. You are my home.

Ashwin grabbed her into his arms, kissed her hair and let his tears wet her hair.

A: Not just laugh, you are the only one capable of making me cry.

S: Then we will share our tears too.

When they finally reached home feeling completely exhausted, Sivaangi gave me another present. It was an envelope.

A: Ah, another one! Let me guess.

Cinema la eppovume intha maara envelope la enna irukum theriyuma? Pregnancy result. Are we pregnant?

S: Un aasa! Chi! Vai mattum than! Open panni thola.

Ashwin found tickets to the Cappadocia hot air balloon festival in July.

A: Wow! This is cool.

S: Illa? Say thanks. I remembered your dream date so I booked us a private flight.

A: Madam, athellam seri. Turkey ku flight tickets enga?

S: Athu nee than kutitu poganum.

A: Hey rowdy! Seriyana KD nee. Oru hot air balloon ticket book pannitu, matha planning ah en thalaila katita illa.

S: Ada po. Unnaku inniku surprise ah irukumnu evlo naal plan pannuneennu theriyumaa?

A: Ma, thank you for today. I loved every second of it. But I want you to know that I prefer a quiet day with you. A small dinner with friends and family is fine but this is very exhausting.

S: Kandipa illa ma! Next time expect panaathe! Oru lifetime ku pothum. Ennakum tired ah iruku.

A: Naan ketten ah?

S: Seri vidu! Naane than pannunen but romba kashtam ithu. Cinema la eppadi easy ah oru ayiram surprises panara maathri kaataraanga?

Ashwin carried Sivaangi to the bedroom and crawled into bed next to her.

A: Baby, I knew that you must have planned something outstanding for my 30th but this whole day has actually been a little outrageous.

S: Athaan panna maatennu solliten la. Sorry!

A: Don't apologise. I enjoyed it but I am a little upset about not having enough time with you. The weekend is ours. We are not even stepping out of the flat.

S: I would love that!

A: Heyyy one second! You have given me 29 gifts, where is my 30th?

She bit her lower lip and pulled out a small box from the side table drawer. He could see her blushing as she handed it to him. He neatly untaped the box and found an ornamental wooden box with a lot of mini rolled parchments.

A: What is this?

S: I call it the dirty thirty box. Each of the thirty papers has something printed on it. Something that you can do to me, or I can do to you or something that we can do together.

A: I don't get it.

S: Take one and read it. You will know.

His eyes widen at what was printed on the paper. He turned to look at her eyes full of mischief.

A: This is the top of the favourite's list! Are we going to have a go today?

S: En manna.. I thought you are tired?

A: En manni! Not anymore, full of energy right now. Okayyy now, I get to choose what I want because it is my birthday.

Sivaangi was shy yet excited at what he choose for her to do to him tonight, and her laughter echoed through the rest of the house as the gods smiled upon the young couple.

I leave it to the readers to decide what would have been on the parchment sheets.

Quiet a cheesy chapter but I am a sucker for birthdays and weddings so I had to write about a nice birthday party!