The best day of my life was my eighteenth birthday. I woke earlier than usual that day. Got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. My usual birthday ritual was a visit to my grandparents, followed by lunch at my favorite restaurant. My grandparents gave me a gift card to a haute couture shop on my visit. It was a great start to what would turn out to be the best day of my life.
After that, we went to the restaurant for lunch. I was so engrossed in my daydreams about the gala that I didn’t notice where my parents were taking me when we left the restaurant.
I was confused. “Guys, weren’t we going home?”
“You want to go home so soon?” Nina asked.
“Um, why are we here?”
My parents winked and said nothing. They got out of the car, and then Nina blindfolded me.
“Don’t look till I tell you to.” She warned.
I murmured okay. I was guided by Nina to a place that required climbing steps and then a few minutes later my blindfold was untied.
“Surprise! Happy birthday Priya!”
I nearly fell over from the surprise. All my friends from school were holding balloons, drinks and dressed for a party. My friends rushed over and smothered me in a hug. Pretty soon we were all laughing and screaming. A huge banner wishing me happy birthday was hanging. There were ribbons and fairy lights strung across the deck. My parents had rented a yacht for my birthday!
I couldn’t believe it. I was grinning from ear to ear. A DJ was playing the hottest tracks. The good mood was infectious. I danced; I hugged and took so many selfies our phone storage ran out. The party raved on all night. And just when everyone in India was watching the clock count down the seconds to midnight, I was standing on the deck of the yacht with my family. Nina grabbed my hand and whispered, “so how was your day? Did you like our surprise?”
I looked at her happily. Fireworks erupted in the clear night sky.
“It was the best day of my life,” I said squeezing her hand.