It had felt strange all day on my birthday.
No arrangements, no texts, not even a clumsy “happy birthday” from Adrian, my lover.
When my sister Kiona called, panting, pleading with me to “swing by her place real quick,” I was honestly just going to order takeout and mope.
I didn’t even bother taking off my sweatshirt.
I reasoned that she might require assistance moving furniture or anything like.
However, I was shocked when I pushed open her door!
Everyone was present.
Coworkers, family, and folks I hadn’t seen since college.
Adrian took center stage, beaming like if he hadn’t been completely ignoring me for the past twenty-four hours.
I desired happiness.
I made an effort to be joyful.
I ducked into the hallway to gather my breath, though, as everyone was swarming around the cake after approximately twenty minutes.
I heard my name at that moment.
Adrian.
conversing with Kiona.
quiet voices. Immediate.
He growled, “She wasn’t supposed to know this soon.”
“Everything will fall apart if she sees the papers before I get the timing right.”
My heart stopped, I swear.
Documents?
When?
In an attempt to hear more, I pressed closer to the wall, but the hallway light flickered on as someone staggered out of the bathroom laughing.
Their talk abruptly ended.
Adrian’s expression was not one of horror when he peered over the corner and spotted me standing there.
It was sheer terror.
How come you’re out here? Adrian approached me and requested in a too informal tone. His smile appeared forced, as though he was making a valiant effort to maintain his composure.
I narrowed my eyes at him and whispered quietly, “Just catching my breath.” “What did you and Kiona discuss?”
He paused, and I realized in that moment that whatever they were talking about wasn’t good. Adrian’s twitchy habit of rubbing the back of his neck made it difficult for him to lie. As expected, he raised his hand uncomfortably to scratch.
“Nothing significant,” he murmured rapidly. Just a few work-related items. You are aware of the situation.
Work-related items? On my birthday? While organizing an unexpected gathering? As he stated it, it seemed absurd. However, Kiona emerged behind him with an inscrutable expression before I could ask any questions.
She said, “There you are!” and drew me into an uncomfortable embrace. “Come on, let’s sing ‘Happy Birthday!'”
Adrian was left standing by himself in the hallway as she nearly pulled me back into the living room. Even though I was desperate for answers, I allowed her to drag me along because there was nothing else I could do. With sparklers inserted into a huge chocolate cake in the shape of a guitar—a reference to my passion for music—everyone was cheering. I let myself savor the moment and temporarily forgot about the odd chat.
However, I was unable to get rid of the uneasiness after the most of the visitors had left and only close friends and family were left. Adrian continued looking at me as if I were going to blow up, but Kiona didn’t make eye contact at all. There was clearly a problem.
At last, I cornered Kiona in the kitchen while feigning to assist with cleanup. I said softly so that no one else could hear, “All right, spill.” “What is the situation between Adrian and you?”
Kiona leaned on the counter and let out a deep sigh. “Look, Mia, it’s not that simple.”
“No kidding,” I cut in. “Give me a try.”
She paused, obviously considering telling me or not. She then looked back to make sure Adrian wasn’t hiding close by. “All right, all right. Do you recall Adrian’s recent aloof behavior? Like, really busy at work?
I gave a nod. How could I have forgotten? He had missed calls, canceled date nights, and appeared to be hardly there when we spoke.
“All right.” She inhaled deeply. “This incredible work opportunity abroad has been offered to him. in London. And he agreed to it.
I felt sick to my stomach. “Wait—what? How come he didn’t inform me?
Kiona hastily clarified, “He wanted to wait until after your birthday.” He didn’t want to give you a bad time. However, with everything taking place tonight…
“So, those documents you two were discussing earlier…” My words trailed off as I became aware of it. “They have to do with his move?”
Kiona gave a guilty nod. Indeed. Contracts, visa applications, and other tedious paperwork. He didn’t imagine you would hear us discussing it.
I had a million ideas running through my head. Was this the reason Adrian had been so aloof? Since he had previously planned to depart without informing me? I was filled with anger, but underneath it was hurt and fear. For us, what did this mean?
Adrian entered the kitchen with a sheepish expression before I had a chance to take it all in. “Hey, may we speak?”
In the end, the chilly night air embraced us like a blanket as we sat on Kiona’s porch. Picking at a loose thread on his jeans, Adrian began to fidget once again.
“I apologize,” he said, regret weighing heavily on his voice. “I ought to have informed you earlier. About everything, even the job offer.
“You think?” Tears stung the edges of my eyes as I snapped. “How much time have you been aware of this?”
“A few weeks,” he said in a low voice. “I was given a deadline to make a decision, and I thought Perhaps it wouldn’t feel so abrupt if I waited until after your birthday, I reasoned.
I shot back, my voice shaking, “But instead, it feels like you’ve been lying to me this whole time.” “Did you ever intend to inform me? Or were you just going to go with your belongings?
“Never, never!” I resisted Adrian’s attempt to take my hand. “Mia, you are important to me. Above all. This is the reason it’s so difficult. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the position. But abandoning you? It kills me.
We were silent for a long time. His comments weighed heavily and oppressively in the space between us. At last, I posed the query that had been bothering me: “Do you think I’ll just wait for you? To put my life on wait while you travel abroad to pursue your dreams?
Adrian appeared very conflicted. “I’m not sure,” he said. “I suppose… I was hoping that we could work things out together.
All of a sudden, a memory that I hadn’t considered in years came back to me. My father used to remark, “Sometimes, love means letting go,” when I was younger. I didn’t know what he meant at the moment. However, when I looked at Adrian, I understood exactly what he had been attempting to teach me.
I woke up the following morning with more clarity than I have in weeks. I made a decision after talking with Kiona for a long time and crying a lot. Even though Adrian committed mistakes, he wasn’t the bad guy in this situation. Even if it meant pursuing happiness on our own, we both earned it.
Later that day, I gave Adrian a little smile as he arrived at my place. “Let’s speak.”
I told him everything that had been on my mind as we sat down at the kitchen table. Now, how much I valued his candor, even if it was too late. I was so proud of him for following his aspirations. And yet, in the end, I was unable to follow him around the globe or ask him to stay.
Adrian did a good job of listening without interjecting. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears by the conclusion. “Are you certain?” he muttered.
“I’m sure,” I said quietly. “Adrian, this is not the end for us. All it is is a new chapter.
And that felt fine somehow.
I got a letter from Adrian months later. In London, he was flourishing, experiencing a city rich of opportunities and working on initiatives he liked. The letter came with a ticket—for me. I wanted to go somewhere of my own choosing, not to see him. He wrote, “You too deserve an adventure.”
I came to the crucial realization that sometimes ends aren’t truly endings as I boarded a plane for Paris. They are disguised beginnings. Furthermore, sometimes letting go is about developing rather than losing.
The lesson I took away from this experience is that life is messy, unpredictable, and beautiful. Don’t hold on to things that don’t benefit you. Rather, accept change, have faith in yourself, and pursue your own goals. Because the universe has a humorous way of rewarding you when you do.
Share this tale with someone who needs a reminder to let go and grow if it spoke to you. Additionally, remember to enjoy it—you never know who you might make happy! ❤️
