"WISH"berry

It was just like any other morning, except that today I turned 28. But for some reason, I wasn't happy. I checked my phone and there were so many sweet wishes, but for some reason, my heart felt empty, and I knew exactly why that emptiness was there. Today I turned 28, and it's been 16 years since she and her family left. I spent my childhood with her; I can say she was my only friend, and I miss her today and every single moment. For a few years after they left, our parents stayed in touch, which meant we also talked occasionally, but after a few more years, that contact also faded away. I understood that people who don't meet often drift apart, but for me, she was still the same, or perhaps even more so. Every day I would think, "Someday, will a stranger I meet say to me, 'kashvi it's me'?" But it remained just a wish in my heart...!! I got out of bed, made some tea, and went to work. But I had accepted that my search would never end. I had accepted that perhaps she didn't even remember me anymore. At the office, I received so many gifts and so much love from people I didn't feel very connected to. Everyone wanted to eat my home-cooked food that night, and today I didn't want to refuse anyone, so I invited my colleagues over for dinner. I left the office early and went home to cook. A little later, everyone started arriving at my house. Today my house was full of people, full of life. I shouldn't have felt lonely today, but for some reason, I did. I don't know why, but my heart ached so much today. Perhaps my waiting was finally making me realize that this wait is long and perhaps will never end. 

      There was a beautiful blueberry cake in front of me The blueberry cake in front of me was reminding me of her even more. It was her favorite cake, and I remember we even fought over it many times. For me, blueberry cake isn't just a cake, but it's his fragrance and his presence, its sweetness and the memories we shared. Looking at the cake, I was just thinking, "I wish I could go back to my childhood.", several delicious dishes I had prepared, and people around me who genuinely wanted to see me happy. But the emptiness inside me was overwhelming. And then my phone rang. I saw it was an unknown number, and at first, I ignored it. Then it rang again. This time I answered, and a voice on the other end sang, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you." I couldn't speak. I said again, "Hello, who is this?" And a voice said, "Come outside." I dropped everything and went into the garden. I saw someone standing there. I slowly walked towards him, and as I got closer, his face became clearer. He was wearing a white hoodie, white jeans, and in his hand was a beautiful bouquet of white daisies... I slowly approached him, tears in my eyes, a smile on my face. I just stared at him, and then he broke the silence and said, "kashvi.." Hearing this, I didn't think twice, I just hugged him. That moment, that day, felt so special. I felt peace in his presence. Wiping away my tears, he said, "Forgive me, I'm so late. I made you wait so long..." His words sounded like honey to my ears. I wanted to argue with him, to ask him why he made me wait so long, but looking at him, I forgot all my complaints... In that moment, my whole world was in his arms. The stars in the sky were shining even brighter today... I often called this day the worst day of my life because it was the day I lost him, but today, on this very day, he came back. After so many years of waiting, today I realized that when we love someone without saying anything, without expressing it openly, that person can still feel our love, and that's when two people finally connect... I took him inside, and I happily celebrated my birthday. This day has now become special for me... Yes, the very day I used to spend in sadness.

     The blueberry cake, with which I had so many memories associated, now seemed like a wish-fulfilling object to me. Perhaps it truly was.......!!