The One Percent That Kept Checking

Today is my birthday.

And I was happy. Truly. Quietly. The kind of happy that doesn’t need anyone to notice.

But somewhere in the background, all day, my phone kept pulling at me.

For two years, their birthday was a festival for me.

I started preparing a month before. What should I give them? What should I write? How do I make it special?

What should I give them. What should I write. Again and again.

Things between us are not really good anymore. I know that. But they still call me their friend.

So somewhere, a small part of me waited.

I told myself all the right things.

Even if the message comes, what will change? Nothing. Either way, I’m fine.

And I was fine. I was content. I was doing so much today.

But still. Still my thoughts kept going there.

Not because I wanted a big celebration. Not even a call. Just one message. It takes seconds.

You might say, someone not wishing you on your birthday doesn’t mean you don’t matter to them.

The old me would have agreed. She would have called this childish.

But today, I don’t agree anymore.

Your birthday. Your little moments. The days that are yours. I don’t think there is an in-between here.

I know the theories. Don’t expect. Give without waiting for anything back. Their wish won’t change anything.

I understand all of it.

But I am human. When you celebrate someone’s birthday like a festival, is it really too much to hope for one wish in return?

Is this really fair?

I have watched this happen in my life again and again. Different people. Different stages. The same ending.

For twenty-four hours, I just wanted to know: did I come to their mind, even for one second?

No.

So today, I did something different.

The care. The thought. The effort. The making it special.

Because no matter how much you give someone, life can still be cruel. That part I can’t control.

This part I can.

I didn’t want this lesson. Honestly, I still don’t.

But here it is. Some days quietly show you how much you matter in someone’s life. And how much you don’t.

And that’s okay too.