Indonesia
I’m Not a Birthday Girl
Every kid in the neighborhood loved to celebrate their birthday. Bertha invited the whole class, didn’t miss anyone (including the naughty Abraham). Rayhan held a party with Spiderman theme on her lawn. Linda invited almost everyone she knew to a restaurant for her birthday. But Mary-Ann was something else.
Mary-Ann hated to be in the spotlight. She pitied herself if she ever had to dress up. Long gown with gloves, shiny tiara on the head, letting her long curly hair fall, cute little high heels… Oh, they were not for her! She pictured that guests would look at her with sorry eyes in that dress. They would whisper, “Poor Mary-Ann…no matter how much she tries to look pretty, she still is that ugly. That jewelry doesn’t belong there!”
So, when her birthday was coming, Mary-Ann would pretend as if she didn’t remember it. She avoided Dad who wanted to discuss what kind of birthday she likes. Mary-Ann clearly didn’t want any party and she was upset because people just couldn’t see it. Dad, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, her uncle and her best friends were busy preparing the day. Mary-Ann promised herself not to embarrassing herself by becoming the birthday girl.
She refused to get busy preparing the party. She even didn’t care of just whom to invite there. On the big day, Mary-Ann found it odd when the party was nearing but she didn’t see Miss Debra, the person who always put make up for kids who are having birthday. “You can wear any clothes you like. You are also free to do what you like with your hair,“ Mom explained her, smiling upon Mary-Ann surprised face.
And… that’s was just it! Nobody laugh when she came out of her room in her favorite Monster Inc t-shirt. She was also wearing knee high pants, blue sneakers and a pet. Mary-Ann was even more surprised to see that none of her friends dressed up. They came in casual look without make up, with exception of Martha who always thinks herself Barbie. Oh and there’s no birthday cake too (Wow, mom knew she always hated to make a wish and blow the candle!). Everything on the table was Mary-Ann’s and friends’ favorite menu. Pop corn caramel, cheese burger, lollipop ice cream, fruit pudding, gummy, soft drink, with the main menu buffalo wings with french fries. For Mary-Ann, it was the best party ever because she didn’t have to be anyone else to celebrate her birthday.
Happy birthday, happy Mary-Ann!
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTOS
