Making of "The Castle Cake"

When Riya turned 3 in Jan, out of the several things I had fantasized coming true was a 'Castle Cake' for her Birthday Party. It is not important of how and where this idea settle in my mind:-) but I really loved the idea of a Castle Cake.

But how to do you get a 'Castle Cake' made in Pune, India? The first round of visit to bakeries revealed that 'Castle Cake' is not on the menu of the cake makers. And what's on the menu, stays on the delivery. I hoped that I would be able to convince them to adjust, find alternatives, be creative and deliver. The first easy step was to download pictures of castle cakes from google and put them in a folder in my desktop. Most of the pics from Internet that I was drooling over, were from outside India. I obviously skipped the cakes with fancy fondue art work and the ones that used ready-made castle structures. After many rejections, there was one shop which indicated that they have a new pastry Chef coming over soon. It should be doable. I was hopeful.

It was nearing the end of Dec'12 and Riya's birthday was to be there in 2 week's time. So I went to that shop again. Somewhere in my mind I had that image of explaining my 'Castle Cake' to a Chef like in 'Cake Boss'. But it turned out that my Cake Chef was a 'Kareem Bhai', a normal Indian worker who if I met in a street could be a Rickshaw driver, a Street Vendor or just someone who can be anything but could not be a 'Cake Chef'! But somehow 'Kareem Bhai' gave signs of understanding the cake better than any of the folks I had talked to earlier behind the cash counter (the shop owners). We explained him how he could make the pillars. How to put the ice-cream cones at the roof-top and how to decorate the flower vines...and windows... He said that he'll be able to make the cake. He has been making cakes for the last 6 years. We just needed to choose the frosting and filling.

The day before the birthday we went to finalize the order. The shop owner assured that the cake would be made that night and would be ready for the pick up at 11 am for the afternoon birthday party. So the next day we reached there at 11:30 am and...Kareem Bhai and his helpers were putting the first layer of cream on the round base!! Could they be more late? I didn't know how to react. At that point it was like, ok just give me any cake. We went to the birthday venue for other preparations to come and pick the cake later.

The cake did not arrive till 1 pm. We were waiting till the very last minute for Sandeep and my brother to arrive with the cake. I think they spent almost 45 minutes in front of the 'Chef' while he was making the cake. As everybody around was gasping at how beautiful the cake is, I hardly got a minute to admire or look at it. All I have left now is 3 pictures of the 'Castle Cake', not more, not less, three.

It looked nice though.

Riya Turns 3!

You are just 3 now. I wonder why it feels like 13. 

You already have clear choices and sharp deductions.
"Water in the red bottle, not the yellow one."
"Why am I not wearing bangles like you today."
"I don't want to wear this collar T-shirt, as boys wear that, not girls".

If you make up your mind, no one can have you say sorry. You can carry on your crying tantrum for what feels like ages without giving up a bit. Yeah I'm talking about the one where you are all red faced, tear drenched, sobbing like a silly girl. And I'm biting my nails asking what have I done to deserve this.

You can negotiate and you are really good at it.
Mommy give me one M&M, you say. 
Take a bite of banana first, I say. 
Nooo - give me 3 M&M then. 
If you want 3 M&M, you need to finish your whole Banana first. 
Ok, I need the whole packet then!
And you leave me open mouthed.

You know what's pretty and what's not (Yes, Yes, Blame me on this one!). So obviously we put a matching 'bindi' with our dresses. And 'Riya' has to wear a dress to any party, not top and leggings. A big shocker recently was on the Christmas day. There was a party for kids in the society downstairs. I had you wear a frock and having just returned from office, had no plans to deck up myself. I planned to show up wearing jeans. "Mom, why are you not ready yet?", you came up to me and questioned as a matter of fact. "Come, let me select a dress for you!!!!". To this day, I can't believe you actually said that.

But that's not all the reasons why I call you a 13 year old. You have even got a boy-friend - "Ojus".
"Ojus-this", "Ojus-that"...I don't think I have seen you happier in recent times. I remember the first time you came from day care and mentioned about 'Ojus'. You said he is your best friend and you went on saying how he was naughty, how he threw soil on your head, how he climbs the wall etc etc. Then one day you told us that he is not your friend anymore. We asked Why. You said he spilled some girl's water and teacher has instructed not to be friends with him. You were sad. The next day you came back saying he is your friend again. When asked how, it was because he did not repeat that water spilling again. Naturally you forgave.

You do all this and at the same time you can be as silent and peaceful as a dove. You can be as gentle a breeze that ever blew. As fragrant a rose that ever bloomed. As pretty a little fairy that ever came down upon this earth. You can smile and giggle, laugh and smile again....You amaze us with your wittiness. You can be so easily convinced sometimes. But most of the time you are argumentative as a lawyer and so inquisitive that it feels Newtonish.  

But all said and done, there is absolutely no better feeling in this world then to put my arms around you and feel blessed. For I know this is a journey and you continue to make the sweetest of memories to be locked up in a treasure chest.

Happy 3rd Birthday Riya!