January 25th came like any other day but it mattered to me,It was my birthday.
No big parties, no surprise calls from the whole world. Just messages from people who remembered ; family, a few close friends.....Joana? She'd wished me hours before midnight; sweet and early, like it had been on her mind.
But Yvette? nothing, not at first.
She didn't know, and I couldn't really blame her. I hadn't told her directly. Maybe I was waiting to see if she'd just… know. Hope's funny like that. You set expectations you never voiced, then feel disappointed when they aren't met.
She probably saw it on my status. One of those lazy birthday selfies with a caption like "+1" or something half-deep, half-cringe. It was hours passed and I still got nothing from her. It stung.
Not because I needed a wish. But because I wanted her to want to.
Later , before the weekend , out of nowhere, she texted:
"Hey… can we meet up? I've got something for you."
She didn't apologise or offer no explanation. Just a spark reigniting after the match burned too low.
I stared at the message for a while. Thumb hovering over the reply button.
Because it wasn't just a gift.
It was her way back in.
And I didn't know if I should open the door… or lock it.
Joana's birthday wish was soft and quiet simple.
No overthinking, no fanfare. Just:
"Happy birthday. I hope it's beautiful."
And somehow, it was exactly the kind of thing she'd say, like a passing breeze that still left you wondering if you imagined it.
But that night… I didn't sleep.
Not because of Joana.
Because Yvette had said she wanted to meet.
I laid there in my bed, one leg out of the covers, phone in hand, replaying her message like it was a voice note I couldn't get enough of.
"Hey… can we meet up? I've got something for you."
I tried to act cool about it. Told her "Sure" like it wasn't shaking my whole chest. But inside, I was in every possible state ; nervous, excited and confused.
What was she bringing?
Why now?
Was it a gift, or a goodbye?
Did it mean anything, or was it just her being… Yvette?
I stared at the wall, blinked at the dark, counted fan blades. My heart wouldn't chill.
Joana had said happy birthday.
Yvette made it feel like something might actually happen.
And I wasn't sure which one scared me more.