She just turned 40 and It's been exactly 20 years since she wrote a heartfelt piece in her diary and today again she wrote another one. She looked at her cat, smiled, stood up, and walked into the shower. Afterwards, she would watch one episode of her favourite series then sleep off. After her shower she went straight to her desk instead of going to her bedroom to watch movie like she intended and started reading what she had written.
"I just got back home from a solo date. I thought this year would be different, but it's still the same. Only difference is I have May to come home to. As usual, she's sleeping lazily in the box bed I made for her. I would call my mum, but it's late already.
Twenty years back, same day, I wrote down what I wanted to become. I was young and full of hope.
Now I'm 40. I thought I would have kids. A husband. My own lovely family. But here I am, staying alone with my pet cat, May, who probably thinks I'm nuts because I talk to her all the time. She might wonder, "Doesn't this human pet have a life?" lol.
Things didn't go as planned.
But my career? On point. My finances? Okay. I have my own place and a nice car. I can go on vacations when I want. Still in touch with family and friends. Last birthday, I went out with my kid sis because she was in town."
She heard faint voices. Slowly becoming louder by the second. She paused writing, just to make sure it wasn't in her head.
Then the voices became clearer.
"Happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you..."
Everything blacked out for a second.
She opened her eyes.
It was her husband and her three kids singing the happy birthday song for her in the morning.
She stared into her husband's eyes while he pulled her up to sit. She looked over at her kids, one holding a gift box, another holding breakfast (yes, they made her breakfast in bed), and the youngest holding a birthday card, ready to read it to her. She could tell from her body language that she had practiced reading it over and over, just so she could wish mummy a happy birthday when the day came. She was only six.
It was all a dream. She had a beautiful family. Her career was great. Just like she wrote down 20 years ago on her birthday.
She sat down happily, watching her people sing and wish her a happy birthday.
"This is my best birthday ever."
Her husband replied, "See you same time next year, only that it would be much better"
She was relieved all was but a dream.
