I woke up with a start and glared at the clock in front of me. The time, 05:00am, was visible to me. The whole night I had been dreaming and planning the various things I wanted to do. After all, it was my 13th birthday!

Yesterday, none of my family had shown any sign to indicate that they remembered the fact that my birthday was only 24 hours later. I let the matter aside, because they might be planning a surprise for me!

All night, I had been thinking about what it could be, or what I would do. It was one of those moments when you are so full of enthusiasm and energy that you can’t sleep, you can’t stay calm and you have to do something. That was my condition, I let the curtains aside, and the whole room was lit with the soft light of sunrise.

I breathed in the refreshing air, it was as if the chirping birds and blush of dawn were meant for me … maybe now I was getting a little too carried away. I decided to write a short note inside my daily journal, and raced downstairs. By then, half an hour had passed.

“Well, you’re up early,” my dad said, his eyes fixed upon the newspaper.

My mother, who was cooking breakfast, gave me no attention, whatsoever.

“Have they forgotten about me? No, they would never do that,” I wondered.

“Mama, I was wondering if you could cook me some pancakes, I am craving for some,” I said in a cheerful tone.

“Ayesha, I am in a hurry today. I am afraid I don’t have time to make you pancakes,” my mother glared at me and said.

I stared at her in disbelief. “But mama! It’s Saturday!” I whined.

Again, she didn’t pay me any attention.

My eyes bounced between mum and dad, none of them seemed to be aware of my special day. At least for my sake, they could’ve given it some importance. My whole day was a boring one, as none of my siblings seemed to be interested in my birthday. I was flabbergasted! For months we had been planning the events for my birthday, the shopping, games, decorations and so much more — but now, they all seemed to have forgotten about my birthday.

The lunch was a dull boring one-dish affair, with nothing special cooked to my mark my special day. Everyone sat talking about random things, not once mentioning my birthday. Unable to accept this lack of attention, I managed to convince myself that there was a surprise waiting for me. But I could not get even a hint of anything special being done.

Disappointed, I climbed up the stairs to my room and lay down in bed. Suddenly, mama called out to me. I dashed towards her, hoping for her to tell me something cheerful. But my optimism was shattered when she said, “Me, your dad and your siblings are attending a dinner. Since you had woken up early, we thought you might need some sleep. If you feel hungry, food is in the fridge. Call if you need help. Bye, and be a good girl and go to sleep early.”

They all waved one by one, leaving me alone in the house. I was devastated. I ran to my room, slammed the door, and lay in my pillow, mourning and crying myself to sleep.

I woke up suddenly. I heard someone creeping. I scrutinised my surroundings, but there was nothing unusual in my bedroom.

“Now I am hallucinating!” I murmured. As I lay down again, the same noises alarmed me. I bolted out of my bed, sure that someone was there in the house. The voice came again, it was like various whispers coming all at once. After listening carefully, I felt it was coming from just outside the bedroom door.

“I … I am coming for you. You can’t escape me. Whoever you are, put … your hands up!” I yelled hesitantly. I knew that my threat sounded useless and worthless, but I had to give it a try. With all my courage, I opened the door, ready to attack whoever it was

“Surprise!” a lot of voices called out. I had fallen to the floor in shock. Trying to process what was happening, I looked around. All my friends, my parents and siblings came inside the room, holding my birthday cake.

I was awe-struck. All this time I was thinking that they had forgotten my special day, but in reality, they indeed were planning a surprise. I felt so overwhelmed, I began to cry.

“Oh, I thought you all had forgotten,” I said, fighting back tears.

“Not until I am alive,” the voice of a lady came. There was someone standing at the door – it was my grandmother! I rushed to her and gave her a hug.

“Oh, it is such a blessing to celebrate this memorable day with all the people I love!” I said with utter respect and love. “Oh, thank you for this. Thank you!”

All of us then went down to the living room, which was all decorated in purple and pink, my favourite colours, and the table was loaded with the most scrumptious dishes I could wish for. We then proceeded to celebrate my birthday, which was the best birthday of my life!

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 11th, 2023