A friend asks: What do you want for your birthday?

Your answer: Him.


***


A Letter to Him:

Did you know I almost chop my hair off because of you? That's crazy, I know. So the furthest I did was to get my hair rebonded. That's Me, possibly the only young, trendy girl left in Singapore who has not had her hair rebonded at all since its craze started and darn proud of that. I gave up the title of not ever having rebonded my hair because of you. Now I have stick-straight hair just like every other girl walking down the street; an urban manifestation of cloned beauty. I don't know what you even think about that. Do you like my hair better now?

Did you know I got a manicure and pedicure because of you? That very night we were doomed for our talk, I skipped my meal and had my nails cut, buffed and painted during lunch hour. Not that you have not seen my naked nails up close and personal. I'm sure you have and know what they look like. But still, I wanted them to look their best for you. Not that you would have noticed that there's anything different about my nails whilst we were going through our chicken at dinner. Did you?

Do you know what I want for my birthday this year? Not any present in the world, not any branded good, or fancy jewellery, or even clothes, bags and shoes. All I want is your time. Just one day. Me and you. For dinner, you can take me to your favourite Italian restaurant that you so love. I haven't been there. After dinner, you will take a stroll down the beach with me and we will talk all night under the stars. You will tell me about your childhood, your favourite films; I will share with you my favourite books and we will discuss about Tim Burton and George Lucas all over again. As usual, you will send me home and take the elevator up to my floor with me; as usual, I will always refuse. And then, before you go, I will give you the biggest, tightest hug that I can muster before the elevator doors crash on either of us again. This time, I promise I will not stand there like a stone figure. And that will end our night very perfectly. The next day, we will both return to work and to our individual lives and we will behave as if nothing extraordinary has happened. Do you know what I want for my birthday this year?