"Wake up, poof! Happy birthday,. Baby Ara", said Muyan, Ara's younger brother. She tossed to the other side of the bed, turning her back to Muyan, covering her face with a pillow.
"Wake up Ara, it's your birthday or have you forgotten?"
"Ughhh, thanks Brother Muyan", said Ara. She finally responded to him still covering her face with a pillow. She was purposely doing it to get her elder brother irritated so he'd leave her alone and her plan worked cause Muyan got irritated by her snubbish attitude.
She slowly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth because she had to join her family for breakfast. While in the bathroom several thoughts ran through her mind.
"Today, June 20th I'm turning 19 years old, my last teen age but then I have little or nothing to show for it. Brother Muyan is really doing his best trying so hard to bring income for the family as he's the first child. I'm trying my best to make money too but nothing's working", she sobbed.
Ara was unaware that Muyan returned to check on her as to why she was delaying to join them for breakfast and he was surprised seeing her cry cause it's supposed to be her best day.
In the Nato's family, it is a must for the whole family to be present at the dining before they can eat and Ara hadn't showed up yet for reasons best known to her.
"Ara!, why are you crying?, he asked.
"Nothing really brother, just tears of Joy you know hehe", she replied faking a smile. But Muyan already sensed she was lying but he didn't know why she wasn't opening up to him.
"You are lying, aren't you,? I saw you mumbling to yourself, and who cries tears of Joy with a swollen face?"
"N-N-No Muyan it's not actually what you think, I'm not-"
"Ara, it's better you tell me why you're crying or mom's gonna hear about this. Since when did you start lying and keeping things to yourself?"
Ara was silent. At this point she already knew her brother could sense she wasn't okay and if she doesn't tell him the truth it wasn't going to be funny at all especially if her mom finds out.
"Can we talk about it after breakfast?"
"Fine then, clean up let's go"
Then they left.
Walking down to have their breakfast, Muyan kept on wondering what could possibly be the reason for his sister crying on her birthday. It was surprising because Ara loved birthdays so much. In fact, she wrote down everyone's birthday in her a mini book she called her diary and she always looked forward to the birthdays even though it wasn't celebrated. And Ara was always the first to wake someone up on that person's birthday. And he really didn't understand why she always freaked out about birthdays since they weren't celebrated so he honestly didn't see the need to bother about it. So it was confusing and rather strange that Ara was unhappy on her own birthday.
During breakfast, Mrs Kate, Ara's mother wished her daughter a happy birthday and blessed her daughter. She wasn't financially buoyant to celebrate her daughter's birthday as she was simply a business woman trying to make ends meet. But she prepared a special delicacy for Ara's Birthday and they all enjoyed the meal.
Mrs. Kate hands Ara a small gift box and a rose. "I know it's not much, but I hope you like it".
Ara's eyes light up, and she hugs her mom tightly. "Thank you Mom. This means so much to me".
Ara opens the box, revealing a beautiful silver necklace with a tiny butterfly pendant. "It's perfect, Mom! Thank you!"
Muyan grins, revealing his perfect dentition, "Yeah, Mom's got a great taste!"
The family shares a hearty breakfast, filled with laughter and love. As they finish up, Ara feels a great sense of gratitude.