I had always been a “normal” child, at least, that’s how I saw myself back then. A common childhood, with many friends, loving parents, kind teachers... perhaps... in truth... I was very blessed. How could I not have cherished such special moments while I still could? So distant now, yet still... unforgettable.

   I still remember that night. It’s not as if it were something easy to forget. I was in a deep sleep... I had never felt so comfortable before... perhaps it was because of the moments I had experienced the day before.

   It was my ninth birthday. That day, I woke up with immense joy, as if by instinct, my consciousness told me that nothing would go wrong. I got out of bed and went down a flight of stairs to meet my parents, who were comfortably having their breakfast on that beautiful and cozy winter day.

   We lived in a simple house, with two floors and a rustic architecture compared to our surroundings. Even though the capital represented wealth and nobility, we had just enough to live well.

   The first thing my parents did when they saw me was a memorable family embrace, like a small “celebration". Just the three of us, smiling and drawing closer as the hug became more comfortable... perhaps we stayed like that for a while, but I don’t regret it. After all... it was the last one we shared.

   “My little one, congratulations", my father said.

   “It’s wonderful to see how happy you are, my daughter", my mother continued.

   “And may God bless your day", she finished, as if wishing to bring me closer to our protective deity.

   I went to school radiant, until I came across a little kitten that I would sometimes find wandering the streets, but that always had an inviting fur.

   I cannot forget how my hands warmed along with it's small heart as I petted it. Its tiny tongue licked my right hand as if it knew how special that day was to me... and I promised that the next day I would bring a bit of my breakfast in secret as thanks.

   When I arrived at school, I tried to share the immense joy I felt with everyone I met, classmates, friends, teachers and even the trees seemed a little greener.

   “Very good morning, my dear birthday girl!” shouted my most beloved friend, teacher Ayla, so that everyone could hear.

   Knowing that she remembered my birthday was all I needed. After all, I saw her as someone more than precious.

   Ayla always carried an air of maturity, yet still held onto a childish side that captivated me. With her, I could open up, tell and trust everything that troubled me, all my anguish and sorrows. Well... I was nine years old, and still “normal", so I didn’t have many sadnesses in my life. Even so, I knew, with certainty, that she would be by my side for the rest of my life.

   “How do you feel? Have you eaten breakfast? You look pale, are you sick? Oh my, we need to go to the infirmary..". she would have continued with her usual whirlwind of questions if I hadn’t interrupted her.

   “I’m fine, I’m fine, but we have to hurry so we don’t get late and avoid another scolding from the principal", I said, trying to calm her.

   She agreed, lowering her head and saying goodbye with a kiss on my cheek. I watched Ayla run off, as she always did, and finally let out a sigh as I continued on my way.

   I was an exemplary student, or at least, that’s what I thought. I don’t know if it was because it was my birthday or my “good” behavior in class, but all the teachers took me as an example that day. All of that only increased my happiness, some of them perhaps tried a little harder.

   Ayla, in her last class, called me to the board to answer a question, as she knew I liked, and after I got it right, she smiled, patting my head while I smiled from ear to ear.

   At the end of classes, I said goodbye to Ayla and some classmates and headed home.

   “H-hey... y-you... can we talk for a bit?” said a familiar voice, shifting in tone due to shyness, almost shouting at the end.

   “Milo, is that you?” I replied, surprised.

  “Do you need something?” I asked.

   He blushed, while I didn’t understand these things back then, but it seemed something was stuck in his throat.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, concerned.

   “I-I wanted... to give you this", Milo said, extending his hand while holding a letter, with a subtle heart decoration.

   “Th-thank you", I said, taking the letter after lowering my head in embarrassment.

   After a few seconds of courage, I raised my face only to see the back of a good runner.

   I placed the letter in my backpack and saved it to read at night. It seemed important, so I should be alone when the moment comes.

   On the way home, small inconveniences began to arise. I was carrying a small blanket, one my mother wouldn’t miss, for the kitten, but I couldn’t find him.

   “Cats don’t usually stay in the same place, right?” I joked to myself, leaving the blanket and some food at its usual spot, happy to help the kitten, even if just a little.

   Near the end of my walk, I paused for a moment to observe the beautiful blend of colors formed by the sunset. Between the distant mountains, I could see the end of another day.

   I inhaled slowly, as if absorbing the dominant violet, and exhaled as if my deepest negative feelings burned away upon meeting the last warm and orange rays of the sun, while the gentle, delicate light of the moon touched my face, happy for our reunion.

   At home, my joy returned to its peak when I saw the surprise party my parents had prepared, with my school friends and even my beloved teacher. Now, with a more relieved expression, a small smile formed when I understood the reason behind her nervousness that morning.

   It was already very late when the party ended, and my parents, happy with my happiness, allowed me to skip school the next day, as if they could read my mind. I gave them one last grateful smile and went straight to bed.

   Suddenly, I felt a slight pressure in my chest that made me clench my fist over it. Looking down, countless thoughts flooded my mind... “Did they eat properly? Wasn’t it too much work for them? It was so fun, but why am I so exhausted? Do I... really deserve this?”

   Realizing I was getting nowhere, I forced a smile at myself in the darkness of the room, trying to cheer up, and ended my day by following the tradition my parents had taught me, kneeling down and thanking the one above who watched over me for all the happiness of my day, and perhaps, for the lessons that sadness would bring.

   When finished, I lay down, closing my eyes and finally preparing for the next day.

   That was when everything began... a sudden, intense headache for no apparent reason. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t… they were far too heavy. I tried again, with more strength, to no avail, until finally... the second feeling came - fear or rather... despair.