Chapter One: A Birthday to Remember
Zaria's pov:
August mornings in Dhaka always had this chaotic rhythm - street vendors shouting, rickshaws whirring past, neighbors calling to each other. I groaned under my blanket, wishing the world would just... pause for five more minutes.
"Ria! Wake up! It's your birthday!"
I opened my eyes to see Sofia, my little sister, bouncing on my bed in her bright yellow dress, braids sticking out in every direction. She was in Class 1 and had been talking about my birthday nonstop all week.
"I brought you breakfast in bed!" she announced proudly, holding a small plate with a half-eaten pancake and a smear of strawberry jam.
"You're supposed to eat your own breakfast, Sofi," I said, ruffling her hair.
"I already did! This is extra love," she said, winking at me.
I laughed and swung my legs off the bed. Sunlight spilled across my room, and my eyes flicked to the posters of cities I'd been dreaming about: New York, Paris, Tokyo. Fourteen felt like the start of something huge, though I didn't yet know how huge.
By the time I got to the kitchen, Maya(My bff of a decade) was already there, practically vibrating with excitement, holding a glittery homemade card.
"Happy birthday, Ria!" she squealed. "I can't believe you're fourteen! Four-teen! That's officially older than me!"
I hugged her tightly. "You say that every year, Maya."
Mom called from the dining table, reminding us to eat before school and not to spill anything on our uniforms. But even as I chewed my pancakes, I noticed my parents exchanging secretive glances. Something felt... different.
After breakfast, Dad motioned for me to follow him into the living room.
"Happy birthday, Ria," he said, handing me a small, carefully wrapped box.
I opened it and froze. A passport stared back at me.
"What... is this?" I whispered, looking at Mom.
She smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "You've always dreamed of seeing the world, Ria. Now it's time to start your journey. And you won't be going alone - Maya and your cousin Lia will be with you."
I stared at the passport and the plane ticket tucked inside. My chest was tight.
"Am I... really going to America?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"Yes, darling," Dad said softly. "We believe in you. It's your time to dare the distance."
Maya squealed beside me. Sofia clutched my hand, her eyes wide. "Can I come too?" she asked in a small, hopeful voice.
"You're staying here for now, little one," I laughed through my tears and hugged her tightly.
Later, walking to school, everything felt surreal. Each step toward my classroom felt like stepping further from the life I knew. My friends noticed something different in my eyes.
"Ria, you okay? You're glowing," one classmate whispered.
I smiled faintly. "Just... birthday magic," I said, though I knew it was more than that.
For the first time in my fourteen years, I felt the thrill and terror of stepping into the unknown. The world was calling... and I was finally ready to answer.