Unforgettable birthday

WHEN I woke up in the morning, the sun rays were so bright I couldn’t open my eyes.

It was my 12th birthday and I was so happy.

After a quick shower, I switched on my laptop and browsed through Facebook. I was looking forward to birthday wishes from my best friend. Sadly, there was nothing from her.

I went downstairs to the kitchen. Surprisingly, Mummy was not at home. My parents left me a note, “Eat your breakfast.”

I called my best friend but she didn’t answer my call. I then tried to contact my parents but I could not reach them either. I felt angry and my heart was painful.

So, I ended up calling my eldest cousin. She decided to treat me to a birthday meal at my favourite Japanese restaurant.

“Don’t worry about your birthday. We can go shopping at the mall. Inform your parents that you are out with me,” she said.

I left a note for my parents and went out.

I felt happy being with my cousin. After hours of shopping, she treated me to lunch. I enjoyed dishes like fried unagi (eel) and garlic fried rice.

As we were leaving the mall, I saw my best friend walking into the cinema with my enemy from school.

Not only had my best friend forgotten my birthday, she was also hanging out with someone whom I disliked.

My heart ached. Shortly after, my phone rang.

It was Mummy. She sounded frantic, saying Dad had fainted. My cousin and I rushed home immediately.

When I got home, I could hear my mother crying in the living room. I was so scared, I shivered. I sat in the kitchen and cried.

Suddenly, I heard my father wishing me, “Happy birthday, my child!”

When I opened my eyes, I saw my best friend and parents in front of me.

I was so happy I screamed.

My best friend, my cousin and my parents confessed they had played a prank on me, pretending to have forgotten my birthday.

We celebrated my birthday with a party at the balcony. It was a birthday I could never forget.

Hopefully, I will have a super cool birthday next year. – By Vanessa Yap Zi Xuan, 12.

Write away!

We welcome original contributions (of not more than 600 words) from children aged 12 and below. The topic can be on anything you fancy. Please include your full name, age, gender, address and phone number. E-mail your stories to star2@thestar.com.my.

We have Maslinda Md Nor’s Puteri Gunung Ledang, Tun Teja and Hang Li Po (worth RM50.70) for the writer who sends in the best contribution for August. Prizes are sponsored by MPH Distributors.