****
In the evening when the sun went down, the whole family sat in a small hut where the yellow light shone. On the table, there was a pretty cake covered with cream of various colors to suit Rosha’s taste, and on top of the cake, of course, candles equal to Rosha’s age were placed. Of course it was a happy day for her, but she wasn’t feeling it.
“Congratulations on the birthday of our two dear sisters, Rosha and Lily!”
Dane deliberately screamed loudly and set off firecrackers. Their mother hurriedly cut the cake, and put it in front of Rosha.
“Our Rosha, happy birthday. And the youngest, Lily, happy birthday to you too!”
Knowing that Rosha was not in a good mood, the whole family paid more attention to her. Nevertheless, Rosha’s mood did not show any signs of improvement. Eventually, her father whispered in her ear so that Lily couldn’t hear it.
“There are only three presents for Lily, but four for you. It’s a secret from Lily. Understand?”
Couldn’t they have two separate parties instead of giving her an extra present? Rosha was upset that she had to have a joint birthday party with her sister every year just because their birthdays were a day apart. She didn’t ask for a younger sibling. Once a year, she just wanted to be the happiest child but she couldn’t be the main character even on her own birthday.
“Sister, sister!”
As she turned her head to the feeling of the hem pulling, Lily smiled brightly and looked up at Rosha.
“Why?” Lily, who asked bluntly, had not noticed her sister’s sadness. Then, Lily still smiled and handed something to Rosha’s hand.
“It’s a gift from Lily!”
What Lily gave was a weaved bracelet made of dandelions.
“Happy birthday, sister!”
Somehow, as soon as she received the bracelet, Rosha’s displeasure doubled. She was embarrassed for not preparing a gift for Lily, and she hated it when it seemed like she was the only one in this family who had become a bad person. Eventually, Rosha did something she shouldn’t do. She threw the bracelet on the floor.
“Rosha! What is this girl doing?!”
Her parents raised their voice. But Rosha just went up the stairs past Lily who was crying. Her father was angry, and her mother grabbed by the wrist.
“Rosha, apologize to Lily. You were wrong to throw away your sister’s gift.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“What’s wrong with you every time?”
“My mother and father love Lily more than me!”
“Is that why you are so dissatisfied?”
“That’s it…….”
Rosha, who was expressing her sadness, paused for a moment. Something was wrong. Suddenly the grip on her wrist got stronger.
“You survived alone.”
“Ugh…!”
When Rosha raised her head, her mother’s neck was tilted to the side, as if it had been broken by someone.
“Rosha, Rosha.…”
Her father was holding his head in his hands, and it spoke.
“Are you happy that you survived alone?”
“Ah, ah…”
It wasn’t just her father that spoke, but there was Dane.
“If it was me who went looking for Polly that day, it wouldn’t be me who died, it would be you!”
Dane with a bloody stomach spoke with resentment.
“Sister…”
And the last time Rosha looked at Lily, everything in the world turned black. In the dark, only her and Lily were left.
“When are you going to find me? Sister, I’m so scared……. Bad people bother me. It hurts, I’m hungry, I’m cold, I’m lonely.”
“Lily, Lily…!”
Lily got farther away. Rosha ran after her, but wasn’t able to catch Lily, who was getting farther away at a fast pace.
“Wait a minute! Don’t go, Lily!”
When Lily became a distant white light in the dark, she left a last word to Rosha.
“Don’t forget me….”
*****
“Oh!”
Rosha woke up from a dream and was soaked in sweat. She raised her upper body and put her hand over her fast beating heart. It was a nightmare after a long time. It was a dream she had once dreamed about when she stopped looking for Lily, and when she was less reminded about her family.
She sat up, saw the wolf cub approaching her, and held it quietly. When she felt its warmth, she felt a little better.
“Don’t forget me….”
But those words will continue to bother Rosha for the time being. She got out of bed and pulled back the curtains. It was late in the afternoon. It was the beginning of her happy birthday. But Rosha started the day feeling a little depressed.
****
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