They say birthdays are meant to be joyful.
A celebration of life.
A reminder that you're loved.
But for Siya…
This birthday felt like a funeral of emotions she had buried too deep for too long.
🎂 A Day Painted in Silence
It was her birthday.
No excitement.
No butterflies.
No smile on her face.
Just a heavy silence sitting on her chest like a stone.
Everyone around seemed normal—her parents prepared the cake, decorated the table with half-hearted balloons, clicked photos pretending everything was perfect.
But Siya?
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection.
"What's the point of this day when I feel nothing inside?"
She wore a dull kurti.
Didn't comb her hair.
And didn't speak much the whole day.
🍰 The Cake She Didn't Want
As evening arrived, her mother walked in with a gentle voice:
"Siya, come cut the cake."
"I don't want to."
"Everyone's waiting, beta. Just for 5 minutes."
She didn't want to create drama. So she got up, dragged her feet to the living room.
The candles flickered.
Everyone clapped.
"Happy Birthday to you…"
She forced a smile.
Cut the cake.
But inside, she felt like crumbling.
No one knew what kind of storm she was fighting inside.
She didn't want this day.
She wanted peace.
She wanted comfort.
📱 The Ping That Changed Everything
She came back to her room.
Threw the cake slice in the bin.
Curled up in bed and cried—quiet, muffled sobs into her pillow.
Then suddenly…
A notification.
Her phone lit up.
Instagram.
One message.
From him.
Ruhan 💙
"Happy Birthday, Siya. I know you probably didn't expect this… but I couldn't stop myself. I still remember your smile when I gave you your first gift. I hope today still brings a little light to your heart."
Her fingers froze.
Eyes filled with tears instantly.
He remembered.
He still remembered.
She hadn't even wished him on his birthday months ago.
She ignored him. Blocked him. Ran away from all memories.
But he didn't forget her.
She replied—no hesitation now.
"Ruhan... I didn't even want to celebrate today. You have no idea how broken I feel. I didn't smile once. I couldn't. Every year, I used to have you by my side, teasing me, making me feel special… but today, I'm surrounded by people and still feel empty."
"There was chaos at home again... nothing new. Fights. Tears. Pretend cake-cutting. Just like every year. I thought this time maybe… but no."
"I didn't wish you on your birthday, I know. Not because I forgot. But because I felt like I didn't deserve to be part of your life anymore."
💬 The Response That Melted Her Heart
Seconds passed.
Then his reply came.
"I don't care if you didn't wish me. I don't care about gifts or greetings."
"But I care about you, Siya. Even if you push me away a hundred times... I'll still pray that on days like these, you find someone who can hold you the way I used to—even if it's just with words."
"You don't have to celebrate your birthday. But don't forget, it's the day this world was blessed with someone like you."
That broke her.
She couldn't hold it anymore.
She cried—this time out loud.
Uncontrolled sobs. Ugly, painful sobs.
She wasn't crying because he remembered.
She cried because he still cared.
Even after everything.
Even after distance, pain, silence.
🌌 Far Apart, Still Connected
They didn't talk about the past.
They didn't bring up love.
But that night, through a screen, Siya felt seen.
And for the first time that day, she whispered to herself:
"I'm not alone."
She didn't eat the cake.
She didn't dress up.
But she held her phone to her heart and closed her eyes.
Because even when the world felt empty…
Ruhan still chose to stay, silently, behind every memory.