When boys are BOYS, parties become BACHELOR Parties!!

I had heard the rumours. It surely was going to be a blast. The married ones were whispering with each other while the singles were very vocal and enthusiastic about it. The event was a bachelors party for Tickly from the remaining bunch of singles of London.

The venue was undecided but the rumour mills during Mama's wedding celebrations at Kerala suggested that it would be an Eastern European country...OOOHHHHH, the boys went as they discussed who was going and who wasn't. But it seemed none of the married lot(the unhappy ones) had much to contribute with only the bindaas singles(the happy ones) confirming it.

One cold evening, clad in shawls, Mohit and I went for a walk. The bait was my favorite Belgian Chocolate-Almond Fudge Double Scoop Ice Cream. As i delved deeper into the cone, Mohit unfolded the story. There is a party(note he said, party and not the sinful word) happening for Tickly in January. I know and nodded, without looking up from the cone. It is in Latvia, he went on. Now I looked up! Where the hell is that? I asked him. Erstwhile USSR, he told me. I pictured a cross between Russia and Kazhakastan and wondered why would boys want to go there? In that Serbian Cold, in January? It sounded beyond me. Aha, I said and kept quiet.

Mohit followed up with the quietness. I finally looked up and asked him who all were going. Little did I know that my pushing the topic had me all trapped! He named all the junta in London and a few in India. Slowly, I noticed the expression on his face had changed. From oh-its-so-cold, it had become i-love-the-cold-in-Latvia. I asked the wrong question at the wrong time and am still repenting it. "Do you want to go?" I said. He nodded like a baby enticed by candy. And at that moment I knew the fish had been caught. The Ice cream had managed to seal the deal. How easy had it been for Mohit? His wife had stepped on the axe willingly.

But if you thought that was all, hang on! Cut to next week! Mohit gives me the i-don't-enjoy-without-you look everyday after he comes home. He makes me feel like I am the best wife in the world( which I am, BTW). After dinner and another ice-cream(change the bait next time, Mohit), he tells me the dates for the Latvia trip. It's not my fault, the guys in London are controlling the show, he said sheepishly when I cribbed about his absence on 15th January. The look has changed to i-will-miss-you-should-i-cancel-it now and I fall for it again. I step on the axe again and offer the trip as a birthday present. He jumps with joy and doesn't discuss the topic in the house till friends decide to tease him at New Years.

Two Ice Creams and three different looks and Rupal, the fish was caught. Worst is I had offered to pay for the trip. What in the world do they teach these wise-guys at IIM-A? It surely is paying of, if not in the boardroom, atleast with the wife in the bedroom.

I don't know why this party had to happen on his birthday but it's fine now. I am of the firm belief that birthdays, anniversaries are for families and no amount of ice-creams can change that. Anyhow, no turning back now that the deal has been stamped. But I will miss you and cut the cake myself.

A word of caution from my friend:

You've given the ball in her court, Mohit. Wait and see what all she makes you buy her in 2010.

HAHA....Have fun, boys!!!