Surprise of Surprises

Bobby (l) and Nadira (r) give Nazma a bite of birthday cake

Nazma Sayed dropped in today to celebrate her birthday with us. It was an excuse. And a big surprise to us. Her birthday had come and gone about three weeks back. Given her delicate health condition we did not make an issue of her absence then (ref post of September 5). But we surely missed her, just as much as she did. As she was to tell us later, she could not

NAZMA SAYED

summon the confidence to make it to the Garden and spend time with us.
Today was a different day. Much to our astonishment, Nazma was

Shekhawat gives Nazma a bite

there in the China Hut -- wheeled in by son, Bobby and sister, Nadira – even before we could get over with our exercises. They waited patiently, ready with a big birthday cake. Since it was drizzling off and on, Shekhawat was already there to give them company.
The explosion of joy on meeting Nazma after what would seem like ages was a sight to behold. It was verily a reunion of sorts. A table was hastily drawn up to her

Rukhsana distributes pedas from a trip to Ajmer 

for cutting the cake, the

Yusuf R thanks Nazma for everything

shutterbugs got cracking, everybody pulled up a chair, candles were lit and amid a lively chorus of the birthday song, Nazma cut her cake. And then began the medley of film songs led by Banoo Apa, Karun Sharma, Bijoy Gupta and others.
The joie de vivre and spontaneity of it all made the celebration special. It was full of heart. So overwhelmed was Nazma that she could not hold back her tears. “I have never been so happy in years,” she sobbed. “If only I knew this was to be how you would all receive me…”
Yusuf Rassiwala and Banoo Apa comforted her saying that the feeling was mutual -- that we were as much pleased as she was. Once again, let us all wish her good health, happiness and the very best in life.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
It is nice to see Nazma after a long time. I wish her good luck and great health. May God keep her happy.