“Brrr,” I shivered as the gentle autumn breeze blew at my face. Dried fall leaves scattered all around the deserted streets making an uneasy crunching noise. I clutched my shopping bags closer to my body, my teeth chattering due to the cold.
Today was my fiftieth birthday and I didn’t feel ecstatic about it. I couldn’t believe how fast half of my life rushed past me. I was a bit upset about how I had wrinkles and streaks of white, sparkly hair now, giving me an elderly look.
I entered the corridor of my apartment and climbed up the steps one at a time; thud, thud, thud. As I climbed each step, I let out a heavy sigh. I felt weary and drowsy. I exhaled a loud sigh as I reached the top of the staircase.
I knocked on the door, waiting for an instant response. But, it took a while for a reply, hence I waited patiently. When the door opened, my twenty-four year old daughter, Siya, welcomed me with a smile. “Hi Mummy! Happy birthday!” she exclaimed. “Thanks, Siya,” I said with a grin on my face. I stepped into the apartment’s living room and set my shopping bags down, glancing around the hall to find where my husband was.
“Where’s Daddy?” I asked Siya with a frown. “Here I am!” said a voice from behind. I had a sudden shock from the abrupt noise. “Aaah!” I yelled. “Aditi, chill. It’s me,” I then looked behind me to see my husband, holding a cupcake with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles on it, with a bright gold candle lit. “For me?” I asked with a satisfied smile. “Of course,” he said. “It’s not like it’s my birthday,” he chuckled.
Siya and I followed him to the dining table, where he set down the cupcake and gestured to me to blow the candle. “Happy birthday to you,” Siya and my husband started singing. I curled my hair around my finger and blew out the candle before they could end the song.
When Siya and my husband were done singing, I pulled out my phone to take a picture of all of us. “Say ‘50th birthday’” I shouted. The next thing I knew was that I couldn’t have a better birthday.