That Special Song

Gayatri was brought to the city when she was barely 14 years old. She had to earn a living for her family, and the kind mausi ji had managed to get the “pucca” naukri for the girl, at Sethji’s house.
Gayatri worked as a domestic help from morning to evening at Sethji’s house. She was a good worker, and she also took care of Munia, the Seth’s little daughter.
The Seth’s were kind employers, and gave Gayatri many of Munia’s old toys and clothes. Moreover, each year Gayatri, got invited to Munia’s birthday party.
The Seth’s pampered Munia, and always threw a lavish party for her. Gayatri loved the party because of the grandeur, the food, the return gifts and most of all because of the special song everyone sang when Munia blew out the candles. Gayatri didnot know the meaning of the song, but was fascinated by everyone singing it specially for Munia.
Over the years, Gayatri learnt the words of that special song, by heart.

Years rolled by.
Gayatri got married, and soon gave birth to a bonny little baby.

When Gayatri’s baby turned one, she arranged a party. All the neighbours were called, she decorated her room with balloons, Baby was given a new dress to wear, a cake was bought for the occasion.
At the special moment, Gayatri held her baby, poised to cut the cake, and in the sweetest voice she could muster, sang the song she’d learnt – that special song which she’d heard year after year, and learnt up by heart. It was in a language Gayatri did not know, the words did not mean anything, but she sang clearly, loudly, “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you……”

All clapped, and clambered for the cake.

But Gayatri cried. She’d managed to sing that song for her daughter on her special day.