Happy Birthday to Me

The buzzer of my alarm goes off and I jolt up, startled by the sharp sound that echoed through the room. 

I throw my arms up in the air, “Birthday day!”

Without a second thought, I race out of bed to get ready for the day. 

“How many times did I hit the snooze button?” I wondered to myself while giving myself another once over in the mirror. “Who cares! It’s my birthday!”

Hair? Brushed.

Teeth? Brushed.

Clothes? ...Brushed? It looked fine!

“Taylor,” I shouted from the bottom of the stairs, “I’m heading out now. Don’t forget, 7pm!” I don’t receive a response back before I run through the door and head off to work. Taylor rarely did; 5 years now and counting!

With work being only a 5 minute walk away, I made it in 2 minutes flat with a sprint. “Right on time,” I whisper to myself as I go up to the front desk to check in, “Hey Sam.”

The receptionist looks up from the computer and whispers a quiet, “Hey Riley,” before going back to work. I didn’t take it personally; beyond a casual conversation here or there, we didn’t really talk or connect. 

Unlike another someone, “Riley!” Speak of the devil. I turn around and see my workplace bestie, Hayden. 

“Happy birthday!”

“Thanks!” My face stretched into a wide and bright smile. 

“Do you have any plans today?”

I nodded my head, “Taylor and I have a dinner date tonight!” I hear a slight shuffle from Sam, but I don’t pay it any mind.

“Oh, is that right?” Hayden asks, glancing at Sam briefly.

“Yeah!” I leaned in to whisper to Hayden, “I think tonight’s going to be the night. A proposal!”

Eyes widening, Hayden let out a light gasp, “W-What,” eyes shifting as if someone might be listening, “A proposal?!” 

Just as I’m about to agree, Sam gets into a coughing fit, “You alright there Sam?”

A nod. Sam gazes up at us from the computer before quickly turning back to it, “Y-yeah, swallowed saliva.” 

With a shrug, I go back to Hayden, “Yeah! Taylor’s been a bit on edge lately and acting weird. Phone’s off-limits, I can’t even see the social media accounts, and there’s been these unexpected outings.”

“Unexpected outings?”

“Yeah! I mean, I think they’re pretty unexpected. Like, one night we’ll be sitting and watching a movie, and then the next, ping goes the phone. Next thing I know, boom Taylor’s out the door without so much as a goodbye.”

“That sounds a little...suspicious.”

“You know how busy busy it always is, and prying is ‘beneath me’...at least that’s what Taylor says.”

“Uh huh…”

“Don’t say anything, but I got a bit curious and I looked it up online. People said that that’s a classic case of someone getting ready to propose!”

Another coughing fit from Sam.

“You should really get that checked out Sam,” I lean around Hayden to say, “or...saliva?”

Another nod followed by a low sound of frustration, “Y-yeah just saliva.”

A nervous smile goes across Hayden’s face, “Well, congratulations.”

“Thanks!” I shout a little too loudly as the boss walks by. I lower my voice and re-adjust myself, “I mean, thanks Hayden.”

“Yeah,” Hayden absentmindedly responds as another glance is sent Sam’s way.

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Work ran a bit longer than expected, but with such a short commute, who could complain? 

I walked myself back home, taking my time, and checking my watch:

6:50pm

Catered dinner was supposed to arrive at 7pm on the dot, cake at 8! I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my birthday than with the love of my life.

“Whew, a proposal,” I mutter silently to myself. Of course I’ll say yes, I can’t imagine anyone who I’d rather spend my days with than Taylor. Strong, beautiful, gentle Taylor. Just thinking the name sent waves of comfort through me: Taylor, Taylor, Taylor. 

I arrive at the doorstep to our home, and, lo and behold, the delivery man is there with the catered dinner. 

“For Riley Shamreed?” He reaches out with the signing device. 

“Soon to be Riley Setapori,” My grin large and goofy as I swing lightly from left to right. Taylor, oh I get so giddy about it. 

“Oh or Taylor could be a Shamreed. I don’t think we care either way. Taylor Shamreed! It’s got a nice ring huh?”

The delivery man just stares, the signing device still outstretched. 

I cleared my throat, embarrassed, “Um, yes, that is I.”

“Sign here please.”

I signed and, slightly flustered, took the food and walked in, “I’m home Taylor!” There’s no response, must not be home yet. 

That just gives me time to set up! I set up the table, set the food, and I even go the extra mile to change into my best wear and light a candle.  

And then, I waited.

After a half hour or so, I sent a text. And then, I waited. 

And waited. 

“Hmmm probably stuck in traffic,” I said as I waited. 

A knock on the door! I jolt up and rush over. As I’m opening the door, I say in a scolding tone, “Taylor, I’ve been waiting for so lo…”

Not Taylor, just the same delivery guy again, “Hey, Riley Shamreed soon to be Shampori or whatever?”

The embarrassment creeps up to my ears, “Seta..pori. But yeah, yeah...or I could stay Shamreed and Taylor could be a Shamreed too you know?”

“...Sure, sign here.”

With a disappointed sigh, I signed the device while simultaneously grabbing the cake. 

“Oh, and...happy birthday or whatever.”

I couldn’t help a small smile and a quiet, “Thanks,” before closing the door.

I placed the cake on the table and waited some more.

“The food’s getting cold,” I thought to myself, “maybe I should heat it up.” I shook my head. No, I’ll heat it up when Taylor gets home. So, I waited some more.

As the candle reached its halfway point, I started getting really worried. I looked up at the clock:

10:12pm

It’s been too long. There’s no way that there was that much traffic. Something must have happened.

I grabbed my phone, ready to call. Honestly I should’ve done it sooner, but Taylor gets so upset when I call unexpectedly.

Just then, my phone’s notification sends a sharp ping that echoes throughout the empty house. 

From Hayden, it read with a photo attached, I’m so sorry.

“A...proposal,” I mutter silently to myself. Tears started to run down my face. Of course I would’ve said yes, I can’t imagine anyone who I’d rather spend my days with than Taylor. 

Strong, beautiful, gentle Taylor. Just thinking the name sent waves of nausea through me: Taylor, Taylor, Taylor. 

Wasted dinner, wasted friendships, wasted time. 

“Happy Birthday to me…”