The morning sun filtered softly through the blinds of Kana's hospital room, casting golden lines across the blanket pulled up to her chest. For once, she wasn't woken by pain, or a nurse's clipboard. It was the buzz of excitement in her chest, today was her birthday.
She turned her head to the side, and found herself staring at the gift bag which was definitely not there when she had gone to sleep the night before. On the top of the gift bag was a handwritten card peeking out and once Kana picked it up, she knew exactly who it was that left it there.
Dr Kennedy.
The had written card read thus:
Happy 19th Birthday, Kana.
It's hard to believe it's already been a whole year since I gave you that phone. I still remember the way you looked at it, like it was some kind of portal to a world you weren't sure you belonged to.
I had my doubts back then, I wondered if it was too much, or if I was doing the right thing. But now, seeing everything that's happened since… I don't regret it. Not even a little.
Because that phone didn't just give you a screen to look at, it gave you a bridge. A way out of that quiet loneliness you'd been carrying for so long. And you walked across it with more courage than you realize.
You're not the same girl you were a year ago. You laugh louder, you speak your mind, you let people in. You've grown into someone stronger, brighter, more you.
And if giving you that small gift helped you find that part of yourself again… then I consider it one of the best decisions I've ever made.
I'm proud of you, Kana. For how far you've come, for the way you kept going even when everything tried to make you stop for letting people love you, for letting yourself love them back.
So today, no matter what's ahead, I want you to feel proud. Because we're all proud of you. And we're all with you tomorrow and always.
– Dr. Kennedy
Her lips curved into a small smile as she began to recall the events of a year ago when Dr Kennedy had given her the phone she had held unto for a whole year.
Kana: (whispering) Nineteen.
Suddenly her home began to buzz continuously, and Kana rushed to her phone in excitement to see who it was and what she saw made the small smile on her face grow bigger.
When she had created her Twibbler account over a year ago, she had put her date of birth as an essential detail in her bio and while she hadn't expected it, Twibbler has sent notifications to her followers that today was her birthday and most of had decided to send their well wishes to her on the lastest poem post she had uploaded the night before.
Kana scrolled through the flood of notifications with wide eyes and trembling fingers.
Hundreds of messages.
"Happy Birthday, Lonelygirl4556."
"Your words always find me when I need them most. Hope today brings you peace."
"You're stronger than you know. Here's to another new age, beautiful soul."
And so on...
Soon after she moved to her messages tab and tapped on their group chat where she met messages from everyone else waiting for her.
RecklessSoul06:
You better believe I set five alarms to make sure I didn't miss this. Happy birthday, Kana. I wish I could be there, but you'll be in my thoughts all day. I'll send a poem later, something that almost lives up to you.
Beethoven110:
Happy Birthday Kana. You've already passed the final test in life being brave when no one's watching. I'll ace this exam for you today. Then we're watching horror movies next weekend, no excuses.
HeartOfM:
AHHH IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAYYY 🎉🎉🎉 I wanted to sneak into the hospital and throw confetti all over your bed, but apparently "hospital policy" is a thing and I have to wait till official hours. Boo!! Expect a surprise soon! 💗 Love you, Kana!!!
Kana let out a breathy laugh, wiping her glimmering eyes which had begun to fill up with tears of Joy. Their voices echoed in her head through the text, and that filled her with extreme happiness.
And then, just as she set the phone down, the door creaked open and Jane peeked in, holding a tiny pink balloon by the string and grinning like a kid in a candy store.
Jane: Surprise!!!
Before Kana could say a word, Jane had crossed the room and wrapped her in a hug that smelled faintly of vanilla lotion and hand sanitizer. Kana hugged her back, tighter than usual.
Jane: Happy birthday, Lil sis!!!
Kana: Thanks… It feels weirdly good.
Jane let go and held up a small, crinkled paper bag.
Jane: Don't judge the wrapping. I had to hide it in my backpack all week.
Kana chuckled softly as she opened it and was greeted by the sweet aroma of the brand new expensive perfume Jane had gotten her.
Kana: Wasn't this really expensive?
Jane: Yeah it was but it was worth it..
Kana smiled.
Kana: I already love it... Thank you so much.
Jane smiled.
Jane: So what plans do you have for today?
Kana: Well, Misa said she was bringing cakes she baked and John said we would hang out around the hospital since I can't leave the premises before my surgery tomorrow. Liam and Rose said they wouldn't make it today.
Jane: Ooh... That must hurt
Kana: (smiles) It did... But I didn't want them to abandon the stuff they're doing just for my birthday.
Jane: That's fair.
Just then, the phone buzzed again. But this time, it wasn't Twibbler. It was John calling.
Kana's breath caught in her throat for just a second before she answered, her thumb hovering, heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with illness.
She pressed the green icon.
John's face appeared on screen, with the same messy brown hair and the same tired but warm eyes that had stayed with her even in dreams.
Gamerboy115:
There she is....The birthday girl.
Kana bit her lip, her smile threatening to take over her whole face.
Lonelygirl4556:
Took you long enough.
Gamerboy115:
Hey, I wanted to be dramatic. You know, let everyone else wish you first so I could come in and steal the spotlight.
Kana chuckled as John cleared his throat and then began to sing the happy birthday song to Kana while Kana sat there and listened to him and couldn't help but smile and blush while Jane stood a few distance off and watched the romantic scene unfold before her eyes.
John finished the last line of the birthday song with a dramatic flourish, holding the final note just a bit too long, then gave a deep bow even though all Kana could see was his head dipping off-screen.
Gamerboy115:
Thank you, thank you. No autographs, please.
Kana giggled, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Lonelygirl4556:
That was… something. I think my ears are actually ringing.
Gamerboy115:
I'll take that as applause.
They both laughed for a moment, just sitting in the comfort of each other's presence.
Gamerboy115:
Okay, so my singing was a bit off-key, but it's the thought that counts, right?
Lonelygirl4556:
You sounded like a dying walrus, but… yeah. It counts.
There was a beat of quiet, filled only with the sound of the hospital machines and the faint hum of life outside the screen.
Gamerboy115:
You look really happy today.
Lonelygirl4556:
I mean... Why not? It's my birthday and everyone has been so nice to me. I've received a lot of presents too. Just waiting for you to show up.
Gamerboy115:
Oh yeah... I'll be running a bit late but I'll be there by 12 PM. I just need to get a few things ready before I go.
Kana smiled.
Lonelygirl4556:
Okay... I'm waiting for you... Okay?
John nodded his head and wanted to end the call but then Kana spoke out again.
Lonelygirl4556:
I love you, John.
John's eyes softened, his smile falling into something more tender.
John: I love you too, Kana. More than I know how to say.
Lonelygirl4556:
Then don't say it. Just… show up.
Gamerboy115:
Five hours, tops. Save me some cake.
Lonelygirl4556:
Only if you sing again.
Gamerboy115:
Ha! Deal. You asked for it.
They grinned at each other, both knowing that no matter what tomorrow held, today, this moment, was perfect.
As the call ended and the screen faded to black, Kana pressed the phone gently to her chest, the small smile never leaving her lips.
*****
Meanwhile, John had gotten everything ready on his end. He had scattered everything in his room just so he could find a particular outfit that would fit the occasion. After which he stormed out of his room and headed for the exit of the apartment.
But just as he was about to unlock the door and leave....
Ms Wellman: John....
Hearing his name stopped him in his tracks and he turned around and saw his mother emerge from the corridor that led to her room dressing in casual house clothes and with a serious look on her face.
But just seeing her alone got him irritated.
John: What is it? I'm in a hurry to go somewhere....
Ms Wellman: John... We need to talk.
******
Meanwhile, Kana sat in her room in anticipation as she waited for Misa or John to show up. Her mind was filled with nothing but happy thoughts and positivity that everything would be fine.
But then... She began to feel the flicker of pain in her chest again but this time it felt a bit stronger than usual.
She held her chest and looked around the room. Jane had left a few minutes ago to attend to an urgent matter and the pain in her chest wasn't severe enough to ring the patient alarm on the side of her bed. So instead, she decided to do something different.
Kana: Maybe I need to go outside...
And with swift movement, she grabbed her phone and her journal and left the ward and made for the stairs that would take her to the roof of the hospital.
On getting there, the warm atmosphere and clear blue skies greeted her and then she stopped to breath in the fresh air with a smile on her face. But then the pain kicked in again just as she let the air out.
At this point, Kana was a bit concerned but then remembered that it may just be the small side effects of the drugs she had been taking because of her preparations for surgery.
With that, she calmed herself down and began to look around the quiet rooftop and then began to recall all the memories she had made on the rooftop.
The night she had tried to end herself was on this rooftop.
The day she began coming here to find peace and write her poems was on this rooftop.
The night she had decided to post her poems on Twibbler was on this rooftop.
The day that she and John officially confessed their feelings for each other was on this rooftop.
Those happy memories replayed in her mind again as she recalled how good everything had been and how Kana from a year ago would be surprised how much she had changed and grown since then.
As Kana looked over the edge of the hospital, she could see the gate leading in and out of the hospital and she sighed Misa coming through the gate with a big box in her hand.
Kana smiled and turned to move down the stairs to meet her friend. But then, that pain crawled back up again, this time more heavier than it had ever felt, which caused Kana to stop just as she had begun her descent down the stairs.
Suddenly, everything had begun to look blurry and dizzy to her and breathing had suddenly begun to become a difficult task.
Kana: No.... This.... can't be ha...ppening...
Even with her blurry and dizziness, Kana tried to balance herself and make sure that she didn't fall. But then... The pain came again more heavier than the last and at that moment, Kana's attempts to maintain her balance failed....
*******
Misa walked into Kana's ward only to find an empty room.
Misa: Huh? Where is she?
Misa placed the box which held the cake she had baked for her on the table close to her bed and then walked out to the corridor hoping to see Kana around. But she was nowhere in sight.
Misa: Come to think of it, John said she always liked going to the rooftop. Maybe I'll check there.
After getting directions from one of the nurses, Misa began walking towards where the stairs were located. Just as she was about to turn the corner, she heard something hit the ground with a resounding crack sound echoing throughout the corridors of the hospital.
Misa: What could've possibly fallen down so hard like that?
However, nothing could prepare Misa for what she was about to see the moment she turned the corner. There lying down on the floor in the pool of her own blood which bled out of her head was Kana.
The scene filled Misa with horror, fear and a lot of different emotions she couldn't name at that moment and then she let out an ear deafening scream.