When I woke up that morning, the silence in the room sat on my chest like a weight. Today… was my birthday. How strange — when you're little, you wait for it with impatience, but as you grow older, it just becomes another number on the calendar.
I felt my stomach growl from hunger. I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and put breakfast on the table. Pakize was rubbing against my legs, as if saying, "Where's my breakfast?" When I filled her bowl, she meowed. She was saying thank you. "Bon appétit, Miss Pakize," I said.
When I returned to the table, I noticed the bread was missing. "The janitor must've hung it on the door," I mumbled and headed that way. The cold morning air from the corridor hit my face, making me shiver. When I saw the bag hanging from the doorknob, I took a deep breath and reached for it.
Just as I was about to close the door, I noticed a piece of paper on the floor. I bent down and picked it up — a thin, white note. Black ink letters trembled in my hands:
"Happy birthday. Today is special for you… but every day I see you is special for me."
My heart began to race. My breath caught in my throat. I looked up at the stairwell. It was silent. No one was there. But someone had been.
I shut the door quickly and leaned my back against it. The bread bag was crushed in one hand, the note clenched tightly in the other. Those few lines, that should've felt like a sweet birthday wish, instead filled me with an uneasy tension. Whoever wrote it… knew me well enough to know it was my birthday.
As I set the breakfast table, my hand trembled and I dropped the knife. The note still lay on the counter; no matter how much I tried to ignore it, my thoughts kept drifting back there.
I put the cheese and olives on the plate, sliced the bread. Finally, just as I was about to take a bite, my phone rang. Ela flashed on the screen.
I took a deep breath and answered.
"Birthday girrrl!" she chirped.
I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Ela…"
"Don't thank me yet. You're coming to my place tonight, okay? No objections. There'll be cake, candles, everything."
I frowned and leaned back in my chair. "Ela, you really don't have to…"
"Don't even start! I won't let you spend your birthday sulking alone. Be there at eight."
I was speechless. Interrupting her was impossible anyway. Her cheerful laugh echoed through the phone, and a small smile tugged at my lips.
"Okay," I said softly. "I'll come."
"Perfect. Dress nicely, by the way. I've got a surprise." Then she hung up.
After that, I just sat there for a long time. Between the mysterious note at my door and Ela's surprise party, an uneasy feeling kept gnawing inside me.
To distract myself, I went to the living room, grabbed my laptop, and started checking client emails. But my eyes kept flicking to the clock. The closer evening came, the tighter the knot in my stomach grew.
In the afternoon, Ela called again. "Guess what," she said excitedly. "Işıl's coming, Eren's dropping by… and I invited Melih too."
I froze. "Melih? Are you serious?"
Ela, with her usual carefree tone, said, "Yeah, why not? I know he's your ex, but he's still part of the group. And who knows, maybe you two will talk a little."
My mouth went dry. An old wound I thought had healed started to sting again. "Ela… sometimes you really—"
"Don't you dare ruin your mood!" she interrupted. "You're going to have fun tonight, got it? It's your day."
When the call ended, my heart was pounding so fast that I dropped my pen. I tried to keep working, but my mind was flooded with Melih's face, Alp's teasing smile, and that note by the door.
I got up and went to my room. The faint smell of detergent hit my face as I opened the closet — even the clothes seemed to whisper, "Come on, pick something already." My fingers wandered between hangers until I paused between two dresses: a simple, elegant black one… and a bold red one, fitted at the waist, with open shoulders.
Pakize had jumped onto the bed, tail swaying as she watched me. "What are you looking at? Which one, huh?" I asked. She let out a soft meow and swiped her paw toward the red dress.
I frowned. "Of course, you'd pick the one that'll set everything on fire."
I took the red dress off the hanger and held it against me. Looking into the mirror, a faint flutter stirred inside me. Maybe tonight… should be a little different.
I decided to leave my hair in loose waves. Sitting at my vanity, I applied blush, mascara, and a red-tinted lipstick — until a familiar yet strange Ada stared back at me from the mirror. A quiet voice inside whispered:
"Melih will see you… you should look beautiful."
My hand trembled, pressing the lipstick too hard. I quickly wiped it off with a tissue. The tension inside me felt thin and fragile, ready to snap.
I pulled out a pair of black heels from the bottom shelf. My ankles ached a little — I hadn't worn them in a long time. But when I stood before the mirror… yes, Pakize was right. The red dress and black heels — something was going to change tonight.
A message popped up on my phone:
Ela: Don't forget to be here at eight, beautiful! Cake's on me — surprises are my department!
I exhaled deeply. My chest felt like a cage full of fluttering birds — part excitement, part fear, part something I couldn't name.
"You're ready, Ada," I whispered to my reflection. "At least on the outside."
When I arrived at Ela's door, I tried to calm my racing heart. I rang the bell; laughter and music drifted from inside. Ela opened the door with a huge grin.
"Aaaa, the birthday star is here!" she said, wrapping me in a hug.
I smiled faintly and stepped inside. But the moment I entered the living room, my heart almost jumped out of my chest. Sitting on the couch, drink in hand, was Alp. That teasing gleam was back in his eyes, that faint smirk playing on his lips.
I froze. "Alp?!"
Ela quickly stepped in. "Surprise! We've gotten to know each other lately. He's my neighbor, after all — and he knows you…"
I turned sharply toward her. "Since when are you two friends — and why did you invite him to my party?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice low but unable to hide my irritation.
Ela met my gaze with that same infuriatingly calm smile. "Oh, come on, Ada. Don't overreact. The more, the merrier."
My pulse was pounding in my ears. One thought kept repeating in my head:
This is going to be a long night.
Alp set his glass down and stood. His eyes locked onto mine, and it was as if everyone else in the room disappeared. Taking slow steps toward me, he said in a teasing whisper,
"Hello, pajama girl. Since you've changed out of them tonight… it must be a special day."
I felt my cheeks burn. My lips parted, but no words came out. Inside, my mind was screaming: Why does he have to be this handsome?
Ela cut in again. "Alright, you two can catch up later. Ada, come sit down."
Just then, Işıl came out of the kitchen carrying a big bowl of chips. "Happy birthday, Adaaa!" she said, throwing her arms around me.
Then the doorbell rang again — Eren arrived, wearing a crisp white shirt, his hair neatly styled. When our eyes met, he smiled slightly. "Many happy returns, Ada."
And finally… Melih. Standing at the doorway, he looked just like a memory that refused to fade. Seeing him again, and on this night of all nights, was the last thing I expected.
The living room filled with chatter and laughter. I gripped my glass tightly and whispered to myself:
"This really is going to be a long night."
Melih approached. "How are you, Ada?" he asked.
"I'm fine. You?" I replied, with a faint smile.
He looked straight into my eyes, the corner of his mouth curving up. "Could be better… but seeing you helps."
His words squeezed my heart. Before I could answer, a familiar voice chimed in from behind us:
"Well, well, well… looks like some old chapters are being reopened."
I turned quickly. Alp stood there, holding a drink, that same mischievous grin on his face — but there was a flicker of jealousy in his eyes.
Melih tensed, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think we've met?"
Alp didn't flinch, extended his hand. "Alp. Her neighbor. You could say Ada and I are… side by side."
The implication was painfully clear. My throat went dry.
Melih shook his hand, his gaze cool. "Melih. Her old…" he paused briefly, glanced at me, then added, "…old friend, let's say."
Alp's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Friendship's nice. But some friendships are better left in the past, don't you think, Ada?"
A heavy silence followed. My heart was pounding in my ears. I felt trapped between their gazes.
Melih didn't back down; he moved a little closer to me. "I don't think so. Some bonds don't break that easily. What do you say, Ada?"
Alp let out a soft laugh. "Bonds? Come on… I think Ada's already untied those."
As my eyes darted between the two of them, only one thought echoed in my mind:
Is it normal for my birthday to feel like a battlefield?
Ela, sensing the tension, clapped her hands. "Alright, enough with the old stories! No fighting at a birthday party."
Then she smiled brightly at me. "Cake time!"
Everyone moved toward the kitchen with applause. While Işıl lit the candles and Eren started singing, Alp kept his eyes on me, Melih smiled faintly from the corner.
I closed my eyes and made a wish. My heart was a storm — part of me wanted to leave the past behind, another part felt unprepared for whatever the future was bringing.
When I blew out the candles, the room filled with laughter and clapping. Ela handed me the first slice, and soon everyone had their piece.
As the night went on with drinks and chatter, Ela stood up again. "Come on! Time for presents. This is the best part!"
One by one, I opened them — a colorful notebook from Işıl, a cute bookmark collection from Eren, a lovely winter shawl from Ela, and a delicate necklace from Melih.
I thanked them all, but my eyes kept drifting to the last package on the table — simple, elegant, with a neat ribbon.
Ela giggled. "And now… the gentleman neighbor's gift."
My heart raced. As my fingers reached for the package, Alp leaned back, that confident smile never leaving his lips.
While I slowly unwrapped it, one thought pulsed in my mind:
What could be inside?