The end of October arrived wrapped in the quiet beauty of autumn. The air was cool and gentle, and even the sunlight felt softer than usual. It was Anisa's birthday.
Zayan woke her up with a warm smile that morning. There was no grand celebration, no loud music or crowd,just the two of them, exactly how Anisa liked it. A small cake sat on the table, decorated simply, beside a few white flowers Zayan knew were her favorite. They shared a cup of hot coffee, the steam rising between them like a silent promise. 🎂
"Happy birthday, Anisa," Zayan said softly.
She looked at him, her eyes shining.
"Being with you is the greatest gift I could ask for," she replied, smiling. 🎁
They spent the day quietly,walking hand in hand along streets touched by autumn, talking about little memories, laughing at simple things. It was not a loud happiness, but a deep one, glowing gently like smoldering embers in the heart—calm, warm, and lasting. 🎉
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Miles away, the same day carried a different weight in another home.
Anisa's parents felt her absence more sharply than ever. 😥
Her father sat alone in his room, away from everyone's eyes. In his hand was an old photograph; Anisa as a child, her innocent smile frozen in time. His fingers trembled slightly as he traced the image.
"Anisa Angel Manalo…" he whispered, his voice breaking.
"The day an angel came into the Manalo family." 👶
The memory of her birth,once filled with pride, joy, and blessings; now returned as quiet sorrow. That beautiful day felt painfully distant.
In another room, her mother sat in silence. She appeared strong to the world, but inside, her heart ached just as deeply. Tears gathered in her eyes, unspoken and unseen, as she remembered the daughter she could not hold, the birthday she could not celebrate. 😔
One day.
Two worlds.
On one side, a simple celebration filled with love. 🍰
On the other, silent grief hidden behind closed doors.
As autumn winds whispered through the evening, Anisa's birthday passed, marked by warmth in one place and longing in another, both bound together by love that refused to fade. 🍁