In my 32 years, I only celebrated my special day 4 times – 10th, 18th, 27th and 30th.
February 1994
It was my 10th birthday and I was very excited because it was my second year in my new school. I got new classmates and friends and made sure that they are all invited to my party. It was the first birthday party that I can remember and as a child, it was a big thing for me! I was very excited! I can’t sleep because I know it will be one of my happiest days in our new home!
My mother cooked her best recipes and my sisters bought me, not one but, TWO birthday cakes! It was that caramel cake and ube-macapuno from Red Ribbon Bakeshop. These and with more than 2 ice cream flavours, I know that my guests will never forget my party!
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon and the event was supposed to begin at exactly 4pm. But after an hour, the hopeful birthday girl was still waiting for the guests to arrive. But you guessed it right, no one came.
Then I remember that my sister accompanied me because we had to pick up my classmate from their house and, sort of, beg her parents to let her come to my party and promised to bring her home after an hour. Thankfully they said yes. She was my ONLY guest.
So we went back to our house and there we were, seated in front of a table full of food that no two kids can ever finish. After eating, we sent her home and my sister’s guests came that evening.
I will never forget that day because it was the day when I fully understood what DISAPPOINTMENT means.
I asked myself,
Don’t I have friends?
Because as far as I know, I have friends in school; For me, my classmates are my friends. Then I asked myself again,
But why didn’t they attend my party?
I’m not sure if this question was ever answered that time. But it was my saddest birthday and after that, I told myself that I no longer want to have any birthday parties ever again.
I will never forget that day because it was the day when I fully understood what DISAPPOINTMENT means…
