I am diabetic – not supposed to eat sweets and pasteurized. But, I do once a while, chalega yaar. I like tea cake – soft and spongy – and no cream. I like to visit bakery . I like the icing on the cakes – white, brown, yellow – curled up with a jerry beautifully perched on it – tutti fruity sprinkled on it, Chico stick jutting out invitingly – a thin slice of no plate sticking out seductively. Creams – strawberry, buttersotch, Vanilla and chocolate ……hmmmm! Enticing you from different layers. Small pastries – triangular in shape and melting in our mouths. Somehow, the thrill of looking at it does not force me to extend my hand and buy one – it’s pasteries after all – small and cut geometrically in shapes – meant for just one – me, you or whoever.

What I can never resist is the birthday cakes – tastefully done – an architectural marvel is what I feel, gingerly packed and opened. Everyone craning their necks to look at it – the ooh’s and the haa’s that accompany their entry, rushing for another helping, claiming ownership of the chocolate slices and choco sticks, taking photos of an uncut birthday cake from different angles as if it is a bride to be.

The thrill of the b’day baby – taking the first bite, the joy that erupts in our heart when the knife sinks softly into the cake cutting it – lovely. A memory that never gets erased – a memory of one food that brings families together, couples happier, children excited. A memory that brings smiles on everyone’s face years later.

A full – blown b’day cake that lights up our face in an otherwise monotonous life. Even the thought of it triggers happy moments – lovely ! The cake that teaches us the valuable lesson of sharing, caring and smiling – It’s the b’day cake……. I love…..not the pastries.