Bumping Into Amit’s House

Yesterday was one of those nights that will be etched in my memory for a long time. It was Amit’s birthday — or as we like to call it, his 18+X birthday. And yes, before you ask, I share the exact same mysterious X factor. We never really bother to calculate the exact number, because honestly, age is just a number, and what truly matters is the laughter, chaos, and memories we create together.

Happy Birthday Amit

The plan was simple — or so we thought. Sneak into Amit’s house, yell a loud "Happy Birthday!" and eat cake like we owned the place. What we didn’t expect was the way Amit would react. As soon as he saw us barging in, his face lit up like the lights decorating the Ganesh Idol at his house.

“This is so amazing, Neeraj. You completely changed the atmosphere of our house,” he said, visibly overwhelmed by our unexpected invasion.

And just like that, the night began — with cheers, music, and a sense of nostalgia that only old friendships can bring. No birthday in an Indian household is complete without a little tradition. Before we jumped on the cake, Amit’s mom performed a quick aukshan — a small ritual to shower blessings and protect the birthday boy from the evil eye. It’s such a beautiful moment, blending tradition with celebration, a reminder of the love and warmth that only home can offer.

Then came the cake — and oh, what a glorious moment that was. I might have been the loudest in declaring: “We all have come here to eat the cake!”

Needless to say, the cake didn’t stand a chance. Within minutes, it was reduced to crumbs and frosting smudges on our fingers. But the night didn’t stop there. Just when we thought the party was over, Amit’s family dropped the ultimate surprise — a full Pav Bhaji party! What was supposed to be a midnight snack turned into our second dinner of the day. And trust me, Pav Bhaji at midnight with your closest friends hits differently.

We laughed. We teased Amit about “finally” growing up, even though we all knew we were still kids at heart (with our own kids sitting on our laps 😂) - we were mere bigger looking kids just trapped in aging bodies.

Some nights are special not because of what you do but because of who you’re with. This birthday intrusion wasn’t just about cake, candles, and Pav Bhaji. It was about friendship — the kind that gets stronger with every shared memory, every unplanned celebration, and every laugh that echoes long after the night ends. Amit turned another year older, but what we all celebrated was something timeless — the bond we share. Here’s to many more birthdays, many more intrusions, and countless moments that remind us that life is best lived in the company of good friends.