Birthday troubles

2 September 1994

[Elizabeth's POV]

It's the last day for school for the Autumn term. There would be a 2 week term break before Winter term begins. In this country, summer would be excruciatingly hot at a boiling 36 to 40 ℃ while temperatures for autumn and winter would be mild, ranging from 16 to 24℃.

"Happy birthday to you….." The children of Pearson's sang and clapped loudly at the birthday girl who was holding a lovely metallic round latex balloon with the words "Happy 6th birthday" printed on it. Beautiful bouquets of pink and purple gerberas decorated the table that sat a beautiful white cream cake with a lighted candle on top.

While I am genuinely happy for that girl, I felt a wave of disappointment washing over me as my birthday is coming in 4 days. Year after year, I watched and wished other children a Happy Birthday. But no one ever wished me anything. I wondered to myself "Would there ever be a year where my birthday would not coincide with a school holiday?"

It would be just 5 more months until my brother's birthday. My mom would have me excused from school for that day so that I could set up a beautiful table with her at my brother's school so that he could celebrate his birthday with his friends. With that thought, I felt a pang of jealousy rising inside me as tears flooded my eyes.

"Thank you, children for celebrating Gabriella's birthday. Help yourself to the chocolates, cake and sweets." that girl's mom chirped.

Noticing Gabriella's mom turning towards me, I retreated backwards, hiding behind a taller boy while buying myself some time to blink my tears off. I don't want her to misunderstand my actions.

"Children, let's take a group photo!" the teacher said cheerfully.

The photo taking session also marks the end of the school day.

"Little girl, I saw that you were crying. Are you ok?" Gabriella's mom got hold of me while I was packing up my school bag to leave.

"Sorry ma'am, I am ok. Everything is so perfect and beautiful. I am happy for Gabriella." I tried my best to maintain eye contact with a wavering smile.

"Here, have a balloon" Gabriella's mom held out for me the metallic balloon that Gabriella was holding earlier.

The moment I took the balloon, I immediately regretted it. I felt the sickness inside me erupting even before anything could arise.

"Mom! That is my balloon!" Gabriella pouted and stomped her feet.

At that moment, I felt a dark shadow hovering over me.

"Elizabeth! Return the balloon to Gabriella" mom hissed.

Without a moment of hesitation, I shoved the balloon back into Gabriella's hands.

"You see," mom continued, "Gabriella has a big heart to share her things with you. While you, what did you do? Huh? Manipulate your way into getting a balloon? Tsk...tsk....other people would think that your mom is a failure at teaching you manners!"

"I think we will make a move." Gabriella's mom interrupted with an awkward cough. "Gabriella, say goodbye to Elizabeth."

Gabriella waved goodbye to me with a smile on her face. As she was leaving, with one hand holding on to her mom's hand and the other holding on to the balloon, she turned around and stuck out her tongue at me for a brief moment before turning back to face her mom with a smile.

I grabbed my backpack feeling the rage inside me "Bitches!" I screamed inside my head. I was stunned at myself. Where had such a word come from?

All I could hear when I shifted my focus back into reality was mom's continuous rants about my bad behaviour.

Upon reaching home, I was greeted by a strange sight in the living room. An elderly woman who claimed to be my paternal grandmother seated to the left, an adult couple who looked a little older than my parents seated to the right that gave off a threatening aura and my dad seated in the middle. There seemed to be a serious discussion that was going on.

My mom nudged me to the bedroom. I was to stay there while the adults continued their discussion.

As my mom was closing the door, I heard the elderly woman scoff. "Children should not be seen and not be heard."

Knowing that the discussion was going to take a long time, I changed out of my school uniform into comfortable clothes, cradled in the arms of sleep.

"Follow the movement of the horse with your seat and core" a man dressed in black robes instructed.

Following the direction of where the man was looking, I saw him. Straddled on top of a handsome white horse, in contrast to his red robes, brought out his regal aura with grace and power.

"Your highness! Readjust your reins!"

"Neigh!!!!" the horse as if spooked by my sudden presence began thrashing on hind legs.

"Your highness!" the man shouted in sheer terror. Injuries to the Prince would be followed by the beheading of the official in charge and that would mean his certain death.

"No! No no no!!!" I screamed and ran frantically towards Yongqi as he fell from the horse with a thud. How would a kid as young as me survive such a fall? I felt my heart pounding against my ribs as blood drained from my face. Yongqi, my "ghostly" friend was nothing but kind to me. Ironically, I am now the ghost in Yongqi's land, unable to render any form of help to rescue my one and only friend.

"Please! Somebody help him!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. No one could see me or hear my pleas for help.

"Yongqi!" I jerked out of my sleep gasping for air. It all felt too real to be a dream. "Did I just witness his final moments? Is that how he died?" I covered my mouth to let out a couple of soft sobs, not wanting to startle the adults outside.

"So, it is settled." the elderly woman commanded.

As swiftly as possible, I dried my tears, got rid of the wet tissue papers that contained my snot and went back to the bed to pretend to sleep.

"Elizabeth, wake up! " my mom called me as she opened the door.

"There are some people you need to meet."

I held my brother beside me.

"Children, this is your grandmother, your daddy's mother. This is your uncle Ric and aunt Lily, your daddy's elder brother and his wife. This is Virginia and Lloyd, your cousins."

I extended out my hand for a handshake but no one extended out their hands to return the shake. Awkwardly, I withdrew my hands with a smile.

Virginia and Lloyd snickered at me while dad pretended not to notice.

"Hahaha!" mom gave a fake laugh and turned to grandmother. "There will be lots of time for the children to get to know each other better and learn to get along."

"Elizabeth, they will be moving in with us starting from tonight. Go and pack up your room now. I want it empty in 2 hours." mom commanded.

Little did I expect, accommodating them in our 4 bedroom apartment would mean that my family would be squeezing into the master bedroom with all our belongings while uncle Ric and aunt Lily would be taking my room, their teenage children Lloyd and Virginia would be taking over the study room as their bedroom while my grandmother will be taking over my brother's bedroom.

Pieces after pieces of furniture flooded the house until there was no more space to walk in the living room. The family that is moving in certainly does not seem friendly for they strutted into the house regally with their noses up in the air.

[Yongqi's POV]

I felt a sharp pain shooting up my spine as I landed harshly on the ground. Black dots started clouding my vision as I saw Elizabeth running towards me utterly horrified.

"Is this it? Is Elizabeth here to take me to her strange land?" I thought to myself as I faded away.

The next thing I remember is, I was transported to Elizabeth's house, witnessing Elizabeth in distress as she woke up from her sleep. Not wanting to create further distress to her, I hid at a dark corner to observe the situation.

"Yongqi!" I heard her whisper my name as she gasped for air. "Did I just witness his final moments? Is that how he died?" I felt myself freezing up as she mumbled those words to herself.

That was her. I wasn't imagining it. She was there, at my land, watching me just as I am watching her now.