birthday girl

The night wrapped around me like a cool shroud. My anticipation for tomorrow, the 19th of June was palpable. It marked my 16th birthday, a day etched in my heart. My mother never missed celebrating it; she had already paid the caterer. Visions of my cake, pink with a delicate touch of blue danced in my mind. Blue, the color of my late sister Katrina's eyes, her favorite hue.

Katrina wasn't just a sister; she'd been my confidante, my partner in mischief. As I lay on my back, counting ceiling tiles, I drifted into sleep. But then, as if summoned by my longing, he appeared an old man with eyes that held the wisdom of ages. Grandpa. His presence was ethereal, and I gasped.

"Grandpa," I whispered. "I miss you. Today is my birthday."

"Yes," he said, his voice a gentle breeze. "I know. And that's why I've come. My child, I am with you in spirit. The time has come. Go into the world and fulfill your purpose."

He placed a bracelet around my neck, a relic from another realm. And just like that, I woke up.

I blinked, disoriented. The bracelet clung to my skin, its weight real. Had this truly happened, or was it a dream? The room flickered with uncertainty. Why was I wearing the bracelet? Grandpa was long gone, yet here he was, whispering secrets across the veil of existence.

I tugged at the bracelet, but it clung stubbornly. The lights blinked, mocking my confusion. Then, darkness enveloped the room, and the windows swung open, revealing a moonlit night. An odd breeze swept in, carrying whispers of forgotten magic. I inhaled, and suddenly, I felt alive, charged with energy beyond my own.

There was someone else in the room, a presence I couldn't see but sensed. Fear and wonder battled within me. Had Grandpa's gift unlocked a hidden world? Or was I merely sleepwalking through a fantastical illusion?

I felt like my mind was playing tricks on me, but I decided to try to sleep anyway.

I was at a loss for what to tell my parents about the bracelet. It felt like a mystery that I couldn't solve, and I was at a loss for words. How could I explain something that didn't make sense to me? I felt like I was grasping at straws, trying to find the right words to express my confusion and uncertainty.

I lay down in bed and closed my eyes, focusing on relaxing my body and clearing my mind. After some time, I began to feel drowsy and my thoughts drifted away, until I finally fell asleep.

Wakey wakey," my mother's voice roused me. "Happy Birthday to you, my dear daughter. May the good Lord bless you."

I smiled, but Katrina's absence weighed heavily. "Mom," I whispered, "I wish Katrina were here to celebrate."

"My girl," Mom said, her head down, "I'm sure Katrina is happy where she is in heaven with God."

Okay, Mom," I replied. "I believe you."

My mother's voice, warm, urged me to rise. "Zita, get up and have your shower. The caterer will soon be here with your cake."

I obeyed, the thrill of the day coursing through me. After my bath, I stood before my wardrobe, eyeing my birthday dress. But Mom intervened. "Wait until 1:00 p.m.," she said. "Your friends will be here, and everything will be ready."

I settled for a casual outfit, my heart fluttering.My mom told me that we would be going to her canteen to prepare the food for the party. She was excited to cook up a feast for the guests, and she wanted me to help her with the preparations. We would need to buy the ingredients, chop the vegetables, and cook the dishes.

After we finished getting ready, we heard a knock at the door. I ran to answer it, and was thrilled to see the caterer standing there with a huge smile on her face. She was holding a large cake box, and I could barely contain my excitement. When I opened the box, I was blown away by the beauty of the cake. It was a work of art, with intricate designs and delicious looking frosting. It was even more beautiful than I could have imagine.

After the caterer left, my mom and I left the house to the canteen.

Mom and I prepared fried rice and chicken at her canteen. By 11:00 a.m., we were done, our laughter mingling with the aroma of spices.

Back home, the parlor was transformed into a magical space, filled with color, light, and life. Streamers in every shade of the rainbow hung from the ceiling, casting a colorful glow on the walls. Balloons floated around the room, bobbing in the air. The walls were adorned with photos of me throughout the years, capturing my journey from childhood to adulthood. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of food, and the sound of music filled the space.

Beads of sweat from the preparations still clinging to my skin,I freshened up.

As I donned my attire, I marveled at the bracelet around my neck. How had it come to be? Mom hadn't noticed, and I wondered how to explain it. Katrina's memory lingered, the sister who'd once brought home a wristwatch from her friend Maria. Mom and Dad had insisted she return it.

The bracelet remained my secret, a silent companion.

I entered the sitting room, curious to see if my friends had arrived. I was surprised and delighted when I saw them gathered there.

The room reverberated with the familiar birthday tune:

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you…"

As my mom and friends sang, their voices weaving around me, my father entered. His words were warm, his hug genuine. For a moment, I almost believed he was a good father, the man who now stood before me, congratulating me on my big day. But then, as he held me, something shifted. His thoughts echoed in my mind, a sinister whisper.

You, this evil child. Why won't you die like your other three siblings? Then I can kill your mother and inherit her riches. I can't wait to be with my sweet Selena and my son. I can't lose Selena because of you too never, I wonder how you've managed to survive with all the poison I've been giving you. There must really be something strange about you. But since you've refused to die by poisoning, I will make sure I continue to torture you until you die."

My heart raced. Had I imagined it? Or had I glimpsed the darkness that lay hidden behind his smile? Love might be blind, but sometimes it also wore a mask.

Do you want to kill me?" I blurted out, my voice trembling. His anger flared, and he demanded why I would ask such a question. Panic surged within me, but I quickly apologized.

My mother's eyes widened, her voice sharp. "Zita, how can you say your father wants to kill you?" Her disbelief cut through the room. I stammered an apology, but the truth remained an unsettling revelation that gnawed at my soul.

I then went to take a seat. My mother then called me to cut my cake, and as I took the first delicious bite, my mind churned with questions. Why did Grandpa's dream bracelet now adorn my neck in reality? The strangeness of it all weighed on me.

Angela, my close friend who shared my secrets, was here celebrating my birthday. But I couldn't burden her now. The festivities continued, but my cheer waned. So many mysteries, my father's intentions, Grandpa's cryptic message swirled around me. I longed for answers, for clarity.

As the celebration unfolded, I resolved to uncover the truth. Tomorrow, Angela and I would delve into the enigma that clung to my skin.

After the birthday celebration, the house settled into quietude.

As I prepared to retire for the night,

I laid in bed, unable to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of the strange things that had happened at my birthday party. How had I been able to read my father's mind? What did it mean? I felt unsettled, as if something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was.

The bracelet my grandfather had given me glowed with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. It was as if fire coursed through its delicate links. Terrified, I wondered: What could this mean?

I contemplated confiding in my mother. But would she believe my story? Would she dismiss it as mere imagination?

She was always too busy, consumed by her own world. Besides, how could I explain the inexplicable, a bracelet that defied reason?

No, I decided. I wouldn't burden her. Instead, I resolved to uncover the truth myself. Tomorrow, I will delve into the mystery that clung to my skin, a secret that burned brighter than any flame.