Surprise surprise!

Finally I did it... I've always wanted to surprise my family by just showing up at the doorstep. I've never had the heart to do it because a big part of the "going to India" thing was to celebrate with everyone at home and countdown to the day, and hour even. but this time, encouraged by S, aided by his parents, we kept it all under wraps... till S made that phone call to my dad while I waited under the balcony in eager anticipation of catching sight of that first face and that first reaction of anyone from the family. It was my dad who stepped out to look out at which VIP had come to see them but didn't know the way up (that's what S told them when he called to say someone was waiting downstairs). And I clearly caught the reaction as I yelled out "Appa... surprise!". It was pure shock bordering on hallucination as he ambled out the door announcing the grand news that I was here to the rest of the family. More disbelief, shock and shouts later, I was assured in... with chidings... with reconfirmations of all the lies that I had to say to lead up to the day... and with utter, total disbelief. It was all worth it to see the jaw-dropped looks from all the faces - my mom and my grandmas. I felt like a celebrity. And my long-term wish was fulfilled. I wanted to do this surprise thing this once. And it was worth every lie I said. For me and for them. All thank to S. Happy holidays!