ETA Nageen Sherani, assuming that April 16 was going to be a normal day, per Indonesian standards, was ready to dive into a busy teaching schedule. Nageen had a nice lunch with a teacher friend, and got free ice cream from the canteen for the big occasion. At English club, her students wished her a happy birthday. Nageen wondered why one of her students was so persistent to give Nageen a ride back home, but, not over-thinking it, Nageen happily obliged, assuming this was the student’s way of wishing Nageen a happy birthday.

Her sitemate, ETA Kate Morrow, had enlisted the help of one of Nageen’s students, who sent constant updates on Nageen’s location. Luckily, Nageen is a creature of habit, and Kate knew Nageen would be running for approximately one hour after she came home.

Nageen went for a run, planning to cut it short so that she could get to her “low-key birthday dinner” with Kate because their other friends were “too busy” to eat together that night.

Kate, students, and friends ran upstairs after Nageen left for her run, swarming Nageen’s room with balloons and decorations. Kate knew Nageen would be back at 18:30, so they were ready, hidden with the cake and candles in Kate’s room, waiting for the sound of Nageen coming in the front door.

Nageen, concerned that Kate had additional plans for the evening, wanted to hurry back, shower, and get to dinner. Nageen, ascending the grand staircase, briefly wondered how she had left one of her lights on, as she always turned them off.

Kate, down the hall in her room, had her ear to the slightly ajar door, waiting for the click of Nageen’s lock.

Nageen, opening her door, was SURPRISED to find a room of balloons on the ceiling with strings, photos, and posters hanging everywhere. Excited and confused, she wondered where the people were.

In fine marching order, everyone quickly exited Kate’s room, led by the candlelit cake, singing the Happy Birthday song.

Nageen, surprised, cut the cake, everyone ate together, then they went out for dinner.

At dinner, their friends thought it would be fun to surprise Nageen with an “Indonesian style” birthday (being drenched in water, raw eggs, and flour). So, they kept messaging under the table, arranging who would buy the goods and they would set it up while Nageen was on her evening walk.

Upon her return from walking with one friend, Kate and her scheming friends were positioned to turn Nageen into cake batter. Nageen, reflecting on how much fun the evening was, was ready to say goodnight to everyone…

SPLASH!

Kate had positioned Nageen perfectly under the balcony, where unbeknownst to Nageen, a friend with a bucket of water was waiting. Everyone ambushed Nageen, throwing water, flour and eggs on her to celebrate another year of life.

Nageen did not know how to feel about what was happening, searching for the culprit behind the evil deed.

Laughing it off, everyone took photos and enjoyed a fun birthday evening!

Nageen Sherani is currently teaching at SMAN 3 Pangkal Pinang, Bangka