After a long afternoon of lectures, Esther slung her bag over her shoulder and let out a quiet yawn as she stepped into the fading warmth of the early evening sun. She pulled out her phone, hopeful, just for a moment, that maybe her mom or sisters had finally remembered her birthday.
Nothing.
No messages. No missed calls. Not even a lazy "happy birthday" text.
The sting came sharp and silent, lodging itself in her chest. She had told them not to make a fuss this year, yes, but deep down, a part of her had hoped they wouldn't actually listen.
Before she could dwell on it too long, Dija came skipping down the faculty stairs, her arms swinging and her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Hey, Bestie! I need a small favor," she said brightly, linking her arm with Esther's before she could protest.
Esther gave her a sideways glance, her voice flat. "What kind of favor?"
Her eyes remained fixed on her phone screen, still blank, no notification, no sign of remembrance from anyone who mattered. Her family had forgotten her birthday. That realization was starting to settle like a cold stone in her stomach.
"Nothing dramatic," Dija said, tugging Esther gently back to the moment. "I just need you to escort me real quick to get a dress. Mom's throwing one of her typical high-society gatherings, and, lucky me, I've been tagged along."
She huffed theatrically, her glossy lips forming a pout. "I tried protesting, but you know my mom. She would've torn my ears off if I'd dared to say no."
Esther sighed, her thoughts reluctantly pulled from the ache in her chest. Maybe it was for the best. She had asked for a quiet birthday. She just hadn't expected… this kind of quiet.
Besides, Dija was her friend, and Dija whining was worse than any lecture.
"Fine," Esther said at last. "But it better be quick. I've got an assignment due tomorrow morning, and I'm not about to let your shopping spree cost me a grade."
She wasn't exaggerating. The last time she went shopping with Dija, what was supposed to be a "quick trip" turned into an all-day marathon. Dija's inability to choose just one thing had cost them sunlight.
The girl was a certified shopping addict, and her constant indecision wasn't helping.
"You got it," Dija grinned, holding up a hand solemnly. "I pinky swear it'll take only an hour, or less! You'll be back home, sipping tea, typing up your assignment in no time."
Esther gave her a pointed look as she shoved her phone back into her bag. "You better."
"Don't worry. I never go back on my word," Dija said with mock pride, then added with a wink, "Plus, I'll bribe you with iced coffee."
Esther groaned but didn't pull away. "Fine. But I swear, if we spend more than thirty minutes there"
"Thirty minutes tops!" Dija cut in with a cheery laugh. "You won't even realize we were there."
And just like that, they were circling the mall, up and down, store after store, like two girls on a mission Esther didn't sign up for. Dija kept bouncing from one display to the next, flipping through hangers with growing excitement, while Esther kept glancing at her phone.
First for the time.
Then, for the message that still hadn't come.
No call. No text. Not even from Betty.
She had sent Esther a sweet "good night" the night before, even mentioned visiting over the weekend. But today? Silence.
The tight knot in Esther's chest only grew.
"Dija, are we done yet?" she asked, unable to hide the exhaustion in her voice. Her fingers gripped her phone tighter. "We've been here for hours now. It's almost six, and I really need to get home."
Her words were met with the hum of mall chatter, not a shred of remorse from Dija.
Esther stared at her screen one last time before slipping the phone into her bag with a sigh. The reality had finally sunk in, her birthday had truly been forgotten.
She wasn't overreacting.
She wasn't imagining it.
It was here, it was today, and nobody remembered.
All she wanted now was to go home, crawl into bed, and let the ache settle quietly beneath her pillow.
"We're done!" Dija announced with too much cheer. "Buuut I'm going to need one more favor from you."
Esther's frown deepened, and her lips parted to protest, only for Dija to grab her hand and drag her straight out of the mall.
"Wait, Dija!"
Before she could say another word, they were outside, where a sleek black car had been waiting for them.
"Drive!" Dija called, slipping into the backseat and tugging Esther in beside her.
The driver obeyed without question, pulling out onto the road with smooth precision.
Esther turned to her, half-exasperated, half-defeated. "Where are you taking me now? I'm done with this whole circus."
Dija kept her eyes on her screen, where a message from Zianab had just popped up, coded and brief: All set. Bring her home now.
"Home," Dija replied simply, her lips twitching into a mysterious smile she tried to hide.
The ride was quiet, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional ping from Dija's phone. Esther leaned back against the seat, arms folded, her mood a tangle of fatigue and resignation. Outside the window, the city blurred past in a haze of streetlights and honking cars.
Then, the car slowed.
Esther sat up slightly. They were pulling up to an upscale building, grand, lit in warm gold and soft blues, with valet attendants at the front and a subtle red carpet rolling down the entrance.
She blinked, confused.
"This isn't your house," she said, turning to Dija. "Are we picking someone else up?"
Dija didn't answer. She just smiled, that maddeningly smug smile that Esther had come to associate with trouble, and slid out of the car.
"Dija?" Esther called after her, but her friend only waved for her to follow.
Hesitant, Esther stepped out. The warm evening breeze hit her skin, and she glanced up at the building again, modern glass, marble steps, and floral arrangements that looked too expensive to just exist casually outside a venue.
"This better not be another errand.." she began, but Dija had already grabbed her hand again and was tugging her forward.
"Just trust me," Dija whispered, practically vibrating with excitement.
They stepped through the glass doors into a quiet hallway, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. A hostess offered a polite nod and opened another set of grand double doors ahead.
And then..
"SURPRISE!!!"
A burst of sound exploded around her. Balloons, glittering lights, flashes of camera phones, and dozens of voices singing out "Happy Birthday" echoed through the beautifully decorated hall. The room was draped in silks and fairy lights, a grand chandelier overhead casting a soft golden glow over the scene.
Her eyes widened. Her feet froze.
Her name echoed in the birthday song as people clapped and laughed, familiar faces and unfamiliar ones alike. There was Zianab near the cake, waving frantically. Betty, dressed like a princess, darted toward her with open arms. Even her mother stood near the center, wiping tears from her eyes.
Esther's lips parted, a breath caught in her throat.
She turned slowly to Dija, eyes glassy. "You.." her voice cracked, "you did this?"
Dija grinned like she'd won the lottery. "I had help," she whispered.
Esther looked back at the crowd, at the banners that read Happy Birthday Esther, the cake that looked too perfect to be real, and the people who hadn't forgotten her after all.
And just like that, the ache in her chest dissolved into something warm, something light.
Esther stood frozen, barely hearing the music anymore. Everything blurred, the lights, the people, even the smiles, until Dija gently nudged her forward.
"Come on, Cinderella. You can't go to your own ball dressed like a peasant," she teased with a wink.
Esther blinked. "What?"
Before she could resist, Dija and Betty each took one of her arms and led her away from the crowd. The guests parted for them like an unfolding dream, and Esther caught a glimpse of her mother mouthing, You look beautiful, her eyes misty with pride.
They whisked her through a side hallway and into a room tucked away from the main hall. When the doors opened, Esther gasped.
It was a private dressing suite, lavish and glowing. Soft pink curtains lined the walls, a vanity sparkled with makeup and accessories, and standing in the center was a gown.
Not just any gown.
It shimmered like starlight, fitted at the waist, with delicate off-shoulder sleeves, and a full tulle skirt that looked like it belonged in a royal fairytale. It was the kind of dress you didn't just wear, you became someone else in it.
Esther stepped forward, heart pounding. "What is this?"
"This," Dija said, walking over to the gown and gently lifting one of its shimmering sleeves, "is what magic looks like. Uncle D had it custom-made. I just helped with the final touches, of course."
Esther stared at her, stunned. "Mr. Lewis… did this?"
Dija's smile softened. "Let's just say he wanted you to feel like the most important girl in the world tonight."
Esther's mouth opened, but no words came at first. Then she blinked, something clicking into place. "Wait… so you didn't forget my birthday?"
"No, silly," came another voice from the doorway.
Esther turned sharply. Zianab stood there, arms folded and grinning wide. "It was all planned out by your very determined admirer," she added with a teasing wink.
"And Ma, she was in on it too?" Esther's voice wavered. Her eyes darted between them, still trying to process it all.
Zianab walked forward, touching her sister's arm gently. "Yes, dear. I asked Mom not to wish you after Dija and Mr. Lewis brought me in on the plan. I told her about the surprise and she loved the idea. She's been waiting downstairs all evening, trying not to cry."
Esther felt the breath catch in her throat. The weight that had pressed on her chest all day began to lift, replaced by a rush of warmth and emotion.
"Okay, enough talking," Dija cut in playfully, clapping her hands. "Let's get you dressed. Your Prince Charming awaits."
The moment those words left her mouth, the door behind them opened wider and a team of stylists stepped forward, already in position. Her hair was swept into soft waves and pinned delicately with jeweled clips, her face brought to life with natural, glowing touches.
And then, the dress.
When the fabric touched her skin, it didn't feel like cloth. It felt like transformation. The gown fit as though it had been sewn with her dreams in mind, elegant, regal, and otherworldly.
As the final ribbon was tied and the mirror revealed her full reflection, Esther stood in silence.
Not as a girl who had been forgotten.
But as someone deeply loved.
The soft hum of music floated through the grand ballroom, blending with murmurs of excitement and the clinking of crystal glasses. A sliver glow bathed the entire venue, from the glittering chandelier above to the polished marble below. Every inch of the hall shimmered with delicate candlelight and elegance, like something straight out of a dream.
Then the music shifted.
A new melody began to play, gentle, orchestral, and magical. And suddenly, all eyes turned toward the grand staircase.
There she stood.
Esther.
Poised at the top of the stairs, glowing in her fairytale gown. The fabric shimmered with every breath she took, hugging her waist before cascading in waves to the floor. A soft blush warmed her cheeks, her eyes wide as they scanned the crowd below.
And there, at the foot of the stairs, waiting, was Daniel.
Clad in a tailored midnight black suit with a pocket square and a single silver pin on his lapel, he looked up at her with a gaze that didn't waver. Not even once.
A murmur passed through the crowd, but it quickly quieted as Esther took her first step down.
One by one, her heels clicked softly against the marble. Her heartbeat echoed louder in her ears than the music itself. Her eyes never left his. Step after step, the room melted around them.
By the time she reached the bottom, her breath had caught in her chest.
Daniel stepped forward slowly, taking her hand with quiet reverence. He didn't speak at first, just looked at her like she was something rare and unrepeatable.
Then he leaned in slightly.
"Happy Birthday, Esther," he said softly, his voice carrying warmth and something far more personal beneath it. "You look… beyond beautiful."
Her lips parted, her throat thick with emotion. "Thank you," she whispered.
His hand didn't let go of hers. Instead, he gently pulled her closer.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, his smile small and sincere.
She nodded.
And just like that, the music swelled, and the two stepped onto the dance floor.
They moved in time with the melody, slow, effortless, like they were made for this exact moment. The crowd faded into soft shapes and colors. The only thing Esther could see was him.
"You planned all this?" she asked, her voice low as he turned her in rhythm.
Daniel nodded, his eyes fixed on her. "You deserve more than being forgotten on a day like today. I wanted you to feel… special."
She glanced down for a second, then back up. "You didn't just make me feel special. You made me feel seen."
He smiled faintly. "Good. Because I see you, Esther. I've always seen you, even when you tried to hide behind your strength."
Her breath hitched slightly. Their hands were still linked. His fingers brushed over hers gently.
"I wasn't sure what this night would mean to you," he added, his voice softer now. "But I hoped… I hoped it could be the start of something."
She didn't answer right away. Her heart was full, too full for words. But she leaned her head a little closer to his shoulder, just enough for him to feel the weight of her trust.
And in that moment, under a sky of glittering lights and the gaze of everyone else, the world shrank to just the two of them.
A girl in a fairytale dress.
And the man who had made it come true.
"Esther," he whispered, his voice low and trembling, bracing himself for the confession he'd kept locked away. "I…"
But before he could say more, a soft clink from a glass drew everyone's attention.
Dija stood nearby, one hand resting on her glass, the other holding a spoon. She smiled warmly at her friend and uncle, offering a heartfelt toast in celebration of Esther's birthday.
Music swelled back into the room. The dance floor filled with laughter and movement.
In that joyous moment, Daniel took Esther's hand, slipping quietly away from the crowd with her.
Out in the garden's stillness, under the gentle glow of lanterns, he stopped and looked at her with fierce intensity.
"Esther, I know I messed up," Daniel said, his voice tightening with uncertainty. "And it's probably too late now, you're in a relationship, but I have to tell you. I love you. There's nothing more I want than to be with you."
Esther's smile was soft but sure as she stepped closer, closing the distance. "Mr. Lewis, you did mess up," she said gently, "but it's not too late. I broke up with him. I'm single."
The words sent a surge through Daniel's chest. Without hesitation, his hands found her waist, pulling her close.
Their faces inched nearer, breaths mingling, the world narrowing to the sound of their heartbeats.
His lips brushed hers, tentative at first, testing, searching.
Then, with growing certainty, the kiss deepened. It was gentle but fierce, a quiet promise made without words.
Esther melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck as if anchoring herself to the moment.
Time slowed, the night air thick with everything they'd left unsaid, everything now spoken in that kiss, the regret, the hope, the love.
When they finally parted, their foreheads rested together, eyes closed, hearts racing in unison.
The fairytale had just begun.