28

I went to bed with my phone on mute. I was pretty tired and I didn't wanna attend any of the midnight birthday calls. I woke up at around 8 and slowly got around to my phone to see that no one had called or messaged. By the time I had my first cup of tea, Amma had called and there was Nats singing happy birthday on whatsapp. I felt better. For the rest of the day, it was Mike and I. It was a little unnerving to see that the only person with me, the only one physically present, was him. This fellow I met a year or so ago had become the most substantial chunk of my life. And all those familiar characters, including my parents had receded to the background. The whole day, my heart swung between feeling unsettled by the absence of others and feeling glad. Because whatever else, I was with this man who had made my happiness, not just on my bday, but everyday, his business. His main business. And vice versa, fyi. So my world, though a small world, is a dear one; it is my kingdom.