It all started when I chose chatting with a friend about something over lunch with my mum on her birthday. My fingers were busy typing even as my mother kept calling me.

It's a ritual that we have- my mum and I- on days that I don't have college, we have lunch together. And I thought that it was fine to miss my lunch with her on her birthday for the sake of friendship. I regretted it the moment my mum reminded me that I might not be home for her next birthday since I'll be graduating from college soon. I guess it's going to haunt me for the rest of my life as a rite of passage.

Two days later, I almost forgot my boyfriend's birthday. For a person who keeps track of everything, noting down every single detail of her life on a notepad or sticky note, this was more embarassing than sad. Thank you for not rubbing it on my face everyday.

I am currently on my way to Agra with my friends. It's my younger sister's birthday in a week and it physically hurts me to know that I'll be missing her birthday for the first time in our lives- the first of probably many more to come. I still remember walking into the hospital room to see her wrapped in a towel, sleeping peacefully. She was my little Cherub. I love you more than anything in the world.

It feels like a signal from somewhere that this is what life is. And this is how it's supposed to be. Maybe in the coming months, if I don't forget or miss a loved one's birthday, it might create ripples in this otherwise perfect universe. Maybe I am supposed to guard the consistency of this chaotic world by conveniently forgetting a birthday.

Be that as it may, I am not the only one who has forgotten/missed a loved one's birthday. "Sweetest Thing" by the Irish band U2 was written by famous singer Bono as an apology to his wife Ali for having to work in the studio on her birthday. I am no artist or poet to do something of that beauty and magnitude for my favourite people. The least I could do is share that song with you. So here you go!

Photo courtesy: Roshith.