Across 300 Years, I Love You

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.