READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4: 3rd entry
Season: Summer.
Weather: partly cloudy, a pleasant top of 27deg
Day of the week: Thursday
Date: 4th January, 2024
The cicadas and crickets are singing in the golden sunlight as the afternoon nears its end. There is the smell of newly mown grass and the newly bought cake I got to cheer me up. In this park, I can see crowds of people moving around past me in their t-shirts and shorts or skirts and blouses. Flip-flopping slippered thongs adorn most feet, except for the occasional sandal.
It's not my birthday. But it is my sister's. I won't make it to her birthday, being so far away and unable to obtain leave from work. They gave all the married people with kids leave, forcing us single dogs and cats to remain at our posts with no hope of reprieve. Likely when the school holidays are over, they will still refuse us leave, saying that work is getting busy with all the projects underway and go live dates coming up. Like last year, the hope of a holiday will be pushed off once again, on and on, until someone collapsed from overwork.
I don't hope that it will happen, but rather expect something to happen somewhere so that the higher management realise that us single dogs and cats need our leave as well. It's not fair to give all the leave to those in management, who have connections or who have families, and expect those of us on the floor to keep running until we drop.
But for now, I'll enjoy the long summer days with late evenings where the sun doesn't set until 9pm. Enjoy this moment of being free, even if it is only for this brief evening. Enjoy the nostalgia and missing my family even though we're just a video call away.
Not that Bezel would care. She's probably happy that I can't turn up so she can get all the attention she craves for. A text message and my present in the mail will be enough for her. I don't want to see her smiling face fall at the sight of me like usual. I suppose my parents might call to scold me for not seeming to care, making Bezel even happier.
Airfares have become expensive again after all the COVID lockdowns. It really is a bother, but it's also a good excuse.
For what it's worth, Bezel, happy birthday. I hope you can settle down and find happiness in your life. Without me around to protect you, I hope you can grow into a stronger version of yourself that isn't so easily swayed by other people or drawn into their trouble. I hope you can see when you're being used as a scapegoat and that the pure relationships you've always dreamed for aren't the dark, poisonous ones I see.
Be happy, my little sister and know that if you really need me, I hope you'll think to call on me. I'll be there. Here.
Without you or anyone else, I suppose this will be the first time I get a cake all to myself. Hahaha. It's your favourite strawberry and chocolate mouse cake. From the family chat and pictures, it looks like your best friend bought you the passionfruit meringue cake you hate again. Look at your strained smile.
When are you going to see through that person's fakeness?
Well, here's to better days. Many happy returns.