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The four children stood frozen. Pratap Singh Oberoi looked from one face to another. 

Abhimanyu. Jai. Vivaan. Anu.

All four wore the exact same guilty expression. Pratap Singh tapped his walking stick once."So..."

"What exactly does the science of birds involve?" Jai smiled nervously. "Research?"

"Practical research?"

"...Yes."

Pratap Singh looked at the packet of battery-operated chirping birds in Jai's hands. "And this research requires forty chirping birds?" Jai looked at the packet. Then at Pratap Singh.

"...Maybe?"

The old man remained silent for a moment. The children exchanged worried glances. Anu whispered,  "We're dead." Vivaan nodded. "Definitely." Abhimanyu scratched the back of his neck.

"Sorry, Dada Baba..." Before he could finish—

Pratap Singh slowly bent down. Picked up one tiny bird. Pressed the switch.

Chirp... Chirp... Chirp...

The little bird began singing. The old man's eyes twinkled. He looked at the four children."If you're going to play a prank..." He leaned in slightly. "...do it properly."

Silence.

The children blinked. "What?" Pratap Singh smiled mischievously. "Half the birds in the return gifts."

"The other half..." He pointed toward the flower decorations around the party lawn.

 "...hide them there." Jai's mouth fell open. "Dada Baba..."

"...you're a genius."

Vivaan laughed. "I officially know where Abhi gets his ideas." Abhimanyu hugged his great-grandfather. "You're the best!" Pratap Singh chuckled. "Now go."

"But..."

He raised one finger. "If anyone asks..."

"I know nothing." The four children saluted dramatically.

"Yes, Commander!"

---------------------------

For the next ten minutes... 

 Operation Chirping Bird was in full swing. Jai hid birds inside the flower pots. Abhimanyu tucked a few behind the stage curtains. Vivaan carefully placed some near the gift table. Anu hid tiny birds beneath decorative bushes .Every few minutes...

A soft—

Chirp... Chirp...

Could be heard. The children burst into silent laughter.

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Across the lawn...

 Ishika narrowed her eyes. Something felt...

Wrong.

She looked around carefully. Then toward the four children. They were being unusually quiet. Very unusual. She walked toward them."Maan."

Abhimanyu immediately stood straighter. "Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Jai nodded. "Absolutely nothing." Vivaan smiled innocently. "We're appreciating nature." Anu pointed at a butterfly. "See?"

Ishika folded her arms. "I don't believe a single word." Abhimanyu smiled."You wound me, Butterfly." She tried to look stern. But the nickname made the corners of her lips lift ever so slightly. "One day..." 

"I'm going to catch you before you create trouble." Abhimanyu laughed. "Today's not that day." She sighed.

"I know."

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A few moments later...  

Rajendra Dadu stepped onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen..."

 "Thank you for joining us this evening." The conversations slowly quietened. Children gathered near the stage.

Parents smiled proudly. The birthday cake was wheeled into the center of the lawn. It was enormous. Three tiers. Covered in blue and white frosting. Tiny edible stars decorated every layer.

Across the top, in elegant chocolate letters, were the words—

Happy 8th Birthday, Abhimanyu!

Everyone applauded. Abhimanyu's eyes widened."Papa..."

"It's huge!" Vikram smiled. "Only the best for my birthday boy." Meera kissed his forehead. "Happy Birthday, beta."

-------------------------

Just as the candles were about to be lit... It happened.

Chirp... Chirp...

A guest looked around. "Hmm?" Another chirp. Then another.

Chirp... Chirp... Chirp...

Within seconds... 

The entire lawn echoed with tiny bird sounds. Guests looked at the trees. "The birds are so close!" Another guest smiled. "How lovely." Jai covered his mouth. Trying not to laugh. Abhimanyu's shoulders shook. Vivaan looked away. Anu hid behind Aanya.

Then—

One little boy picked up his return gift.

CHIRP! CHIRP! CHIRP! 

The box started singing .He jumped. "What was that?" Another child opened theirs.

CHIRP!

Then another.

CHIRP! CHIRP!

Within seconds...

Bird sounds came from every direction. Children squealed. Parents laughed in confusion. Someone looked inside a flower pot. Another bird chirped. Another guest moved a cushion.

CHIRP!

The lawn suddenly sounded like an entire forest. Complete chaos erupted.

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Jai couldn't hold it anymore. He burst into laughter. Abhimanyu laughed even harder.Vivaan bent over, clutching his stomach. Anu pointed at the confused guests and giggled uncontrollably. Aarav looked at the four troublemakers. He sighed dramatically."I knew it."

Aanya folded her arms.

"Five..."

"Four..."

"Three..."

"Two..."

"One..."

Rajendra Dadu slowly turned toward the four children."So..." The laughter instantly stopped. The four stood shoulder to shoulder. Trying their best to look innocent.Rajendra raised one eyebrow. 

"Would anyone like to explain..." 

"...why my birthday party sounds like a bird sanctuary?" Jai immediately pointed at the sky. "Migration?" Abhimanyu nodded seriously. "Seasonal." Vivaan added, "Very rare species." Anu smiled sweetly. "They're friendly."

The adults burst into laughter. Even Rajendra struggled to keep a straight face.Just then—Pratap Singh cleared his throat. "I believe..." Everyone looked at him

."...the children deserve appreciation." The four children looked hopeful." For making everyone laugh." Their smiles grew wider. 

"But..."

Pratap Singh continued. 

"...they will personally collect every single chirping bird after the party."  The smiles vanished. Jai whispered, "I knew there was a catch." Abhimanyu sighed dramatically. "Every time."

Ishika walked over, smiling knowingly. "I warned you." Abhimanyu looked at her. "You did."

"And did you listen?"

"No."

She shook her head with a fond smile. "I know." Jai nudged Abhimanyu. "Abhi..."

"Hmm?"

"Still worth it?" Abhimanyu looked around. Guests were laughing. Children were chasing the chirping sounds. Even the elders were smiling. He grinned ."Worth every second." 

Just then...

Meera clapped her hands. "Enough, everyone."

"It's finally time to cut the cake." The cousins exchanged excited glances. Jai leaned toward Abhimanyu and whispered,

"Phase One..."

"...completed."

Abhimanyu's eyes sparkled. "What do you mean..."  

Abhimanyu narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean...""

...Phase One?" Jai simply smiled. "You'll see." Abhimanyu smiled back. "I already don't like that smile."

"I know."

"That's why I smiled."

Before Abhimanyu could ask another question...

Meera gently called, "Abhi, beta..."

"It's time." The chatter slowly faded

.

The soft instrumental version of "Happy Birthday" began playing in the background. The giant three-tier cake stood proudly at the centre of the beautifully decorated stage .Blue. White. Silver stars. Tiny edible clouds.

Exactly the kind of cake an eight-year-old would dream about. Rajendra Dadu smiled warmly." Come here, birthday boy." Abhimanyu walked onto the stage. Vikram stood on one side. Meera stood on the other. Rajendra, Savitri and Pratap Singh stood proudly behind him. Raghav and Naina smiled from the side. The Kapoor family joined them.

One by one...

Everyone gathered around. Vivaan pulled out his camera."Nobody move!" Jai immediately made a funny face.Ishan sighed. "Can you be normal for one photograph?"

"I don't know how."

"I believe that." Everyone laughed.

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The photographer smiled."Everyone..."

"Smile!"Click!

Another. Click!

Then—

Jai suddenly bunny-eared Abhimanyu.Click!Vivaan laughed. "I got that!" Abhimanyu turned.

"Jai!"

"What ?"

"You ruined my photo !"

"I improved it."

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Meera lit the eight candles. Their tiny flames danced in the evening breeze. The entire lawn became quiet. Hundreds of guests. Friends. Family .Everyone smiled at the little birthday boy standing proudly in front of the cake.

Then...The singing began.

🎵*"Happy Birthday to you..."*🎵

The children sang louder than the adults. Anu completely forgot the lyrics halfway through and simply shouted, "Happy Birthday, Abhi!" Jai sang completely off-key. Vivaan purposely sang louder than him .Within seconds...

Nobody was singing the same tune anymore. Even the elders burst into laughter. Abhimanyu laughed so hard that he almost forgot to blow out the candles. Meera smiled. "Make a wish, beta."

Abhimanyu looked at everyone .His family. His friends. His Butterfly. Then he closed his eyes. Folded his hands for a tiny moment. Made a silent wish. And...

Whoooosh!

The candles went out. Thunderous applause filled the lawn."Happy Birthday!"

"God bless you!"

"Stay happy!" The cheers echoed throughout the Oberoi Mansion.

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"Cut the cake!"

"Cut the cake!"

"Cut the cake!" The cousins began chanting loudly. Abhimanyu held the knife. Vikram placed one hand over his.

Meera held the other. Together... 

They cut the first slice. Applause erupted once again. Meera fed the very first bite to Abhimanyu. Then Vikram. Rajendra Dadu. Savitri Dadi. Pratap Singh Dada Baba. Every elder blessed him with a smile.

Then came Aarav. Instead of feeding him... 

He quietly took the biggest bite himself. Abhimanyu stared. "...Excuse me?" Aarav chewed happily. "Quality check."

"You stole my cake!"

"I'm your brother."

"So ?"

"We share." Abhimanyu folded his arms. "We definitely don't." The family laughed.-------------------------------

Next came Aanya. She carefully fed him a piece. "Happy Birthday, idiot." He smiled. "Thank you, boss." She smiled despite herself. "Behave today."

"I'll try."

"I know you won't."

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Vivaan stepped forward. Instead of feeding him... 

He held the cake just out of reach. "Say please." Abhimanyu glared. "Vivaan."

"Say it."

"...Please."

Vivaan smiled. "Good boy." The cousins burst into laughter.

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Anu came running with a tiny piece of cake. "Open your mouth!" Abhimanyu obediently did. She accidentally pushed too much cream onto his nose.

Silence.

Everyone looked at his face. A white blob of cream sat proudly on the tip of his nose. Anu covered her mouth.

"...Oops."

The entire family exploded with laughter. Abhimanyu blinked. Then smiled .Very. Very slowly. Jai saw that smile. "Oh no."

He immediately stepped backwards. "I know that look." Abhimanyu calmly wiped the cream off his nose. Looked at the cream on his finger. Then looked directly at Jai. Jai pointed at himself. "Why are you looking at me?"

"I didn't do anything."

"You exist."

"That's rude." Abhimanyu grinned. 

"It'll be enough."

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Just then...

Ishika walked up with a small piece of cake."Maan." He instantly looked at her."Hmm?"

"Happy Birthday." She gently fed him a bite. He smiled brightly." Thank you, Butterfly."

She reached up...

Carefully wiped the remaining cream from the corner of his cheek with a tissue. "There."

"You always eat like a child."

"I am a child."

"...Fair point." They both laughed. Jai watched the whole scene.Then dramatically looked at Vivaan."See?"

"What ?"

"She wiped his face."

"So?"

"Nobody wipes my face." Vivaan nodded thoughtfully. "Because you usually have cream everywhere." Even Ishika laughed.

----------------------------

Then...

 It happened. Jai quietly dipped one finger into the frosting. Abhimanyu noticed. "So..."

"This is Phase Two?" Jai grinned. "Exactly." Before anyone could react—

SPLAT! 

A tiny streak of blue frosting landed perfectly on Abhimanyu's left cheek.

Silence.

Every cousin froze. Aanya slowly whispered, "...Run." Jai blinked."Huh?" Abhimanyu smiled. That dangerous... 

Birthday smile. "You have..." He picked up a little frosting. "...exactly three seconds."

"Three..."Jai bolted."

TWO!" Abhimanyu jumped off the stage. "ONE!"

"JAI KAPOOR!"

The entire party erupted. Children screamed with laughter. Guests stepped aside as the birthday boy chased his best friend around the lawn. Jai ran behind tables. Abhimanyu followed. Vivaan immediately joined. "So unfair!" Anu picked up a tiny bit of cream. "I'm helping!"

"No!"

Too late.

SPLAT!

Cream landed on Vivaan. "I've been betrayed!" Within seconds...

The cake fight had officially begun. Aarav sighed. "I wanted one peaceful birthday." A tiny piece of cake suddenly landed on his shoulder.

Silence.

He looked at Aanya. She slowly lowered her spoon. "...That slipped." Aarav smiled. "Oh."

"So that's how we're playing?"

Five seconds later...

Aanya had cream on both cheeks. "You'll regret this!"

"I already don't!" The lawn echoed with laughter. Little Riya stood safely beside Rajeshwari Dadi, clapping excitedly.

"Again!"

"Again!"

Even the elders couldn't stop smiling.Rajendra shook his head. "They're impossible." Devendra laughed."They're children."

Pratap Singh watched the chaos proudly."Let them laugh."

"One day..."

"They'll grow up."

"But they'll always remember this birthday." Just then—

A blob of cake flew through the air.

SPLAT!

It landed perfectly on... 

Pratap Singh's shoulder. The entire lawn fell silent. Every child froze. Jai whispered, "...We're finished." 

Abhimanyu gulped."...Very finished."

Pratap Singh looked at the cream. Then at the terrified children.Slowly...

He scooped a little frosting with one finger. Walked toward Abhimanyu. And gently dabbed it on his forehead."Happy Birthday, my little lion."

For a heartbeat... 

There was complete silence. Then the entire lawn erupted into applause, laughter, and cheers. Even Rajendra laughed until tears formed in his eyes. Vikram shook his head with a smile.

"Our family..."

"...is wonderfully mad." And no one disagree

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