BIRTHDAY

As I opened my eyes, I saw the blue-painted ceiling with colored designs of my room, heard the sound coming from my phone and enjoyed the blinding sunlight from my window curtains. I turned 16 today- my birthday- a perfect day for me. Soon enough, I stand up from my bed and went downstairs. The stillness of our abode made me so confused. 'Where is everyone', I thought.

"Mommy? Dad? Where are you?" I shouted as I got to the dining room. I grabbed a banana to eat and searched for my 2 siblings in their room. But I found no one. "What is happening? Where is everyone?" I said to myself. My mind started to think different scenarios and also thought that maybe, they are preparing for my celebration. Maybe, they are busy making a surprise party for me.

I decided to watch movies, as I prepared myself something to eat. I plumped myself in the sofa, with my food on my lap, and started the movie. I was on my second movie when I got bored so I checked my social media accounts. Laugh on some videos and pictures, enjoyed the celebrity fights and such. And then I got bored again so I wandered around the house.

I decided on scanning the photo albums. I saw many pictures of me when I was a kid, my birthday celebrations, family pictures, me with my siblings, and there's this picture of us in a theme park-my favorite day and favorite picture of all time. It's a 5 year-old picture. That time, my mother went home from the states, and that is our first complete family picture. I was so euphoric that day, I can't explain how happy I am that day. Tears started dropping, and I laughed to myself because I'm being dramatic again.

As I was scanning the fourth album, the sound of the car outside caught my attention. I know it's our car. A minute later, someone opened the backdoor then I saw my father. He looks so tired and stressed out. He got baggy eyes and dry lips, and it seems like he's in grief. I greeted him and rushed towards him. "Hello Dad! "

But it seems like he didn't saw and heard me. "Dad? Dad? Where's everyone? Where's Mom? " I kept saying. He just walked straight to their room, and passed to me like I'm not there. Why does he ignored me like that? I'm really hurt. My father is a sweet and caring to me why did he became so cold now? Soon enough, he got out with a red backpack and rushed to get out of the house. "Dad where are you going? Can I come with you? DAD!?" I frustratedly shout to him but he just ignored me.

I followed him in our car, I sat at the backseat. He just drives so fast, arms are shaking, and he just seems so lost while driving. "Dad, can you please slow down? I'm quite scared" But he just looked at the rear view mirror and didn't follow what I said. I'm very confused on how he's acting right now. I was shattered on how he treated me, he's so cold. Tears started to pool in my eyes, my heart is so heavy and numb at the same time. As I'm looking outside the window, dad's route making me more curious and confuse than ever.

Five minutes later, dad stopped the car in front of a place, a place that sent shivers to my whole body. We are at a cemetery. "Dad, why are we here? D-dad? " I subconsciously followed him. Tears started to stream down on my cheeks. And all my questions and curious thoughts are answered, as I saw my face in a medium-sized tarpaulin. At the back of it is a pile of people- all wearing black outfits. I walked with shaking knees, as I tasted my salty taste of my own tears.

There, right there, I saw a picture of me in a frame, on top of the casket. There, right there, I saw my family crying in grief. There right there, I saw myself inside that casket. Wearing a white dress, with a pale and peaceful face.