Looking at herself in the mirror, she sighed exhaustedly. She has been having nightmares of weird creatures chasing her and just when they get to her a shadow like creature would appear and save her just in time.
She couldn't understand this dream, was it a sign, like a message, telling her about an upcoming danger?.
Sign? Message? Creatures?. What was wrong with her, did she think she was in a world of fantasy or something she thought slapping her forehead as she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind.
She walked into the bathroom and quickly freshened up. Coming outside she was cleaning her wet hair when a knock on the door distracted her.
She could already guess who was at the door. Smiling brightly she put down her towel and ran opened the door and as expected she found her dad, younger brother and grandma standing at the door with a small loved shape birthday cake.
"Happy birthday to you Lili" they said smiling brightly.
Aliza giggled happily, "thank you dad, thank you grandma, thank you Ethan" she said at the same time giving way for them to come inside the room.
They walked inside and her father gently placed the cake on her reading table, turning around he gently walked towards his daughter with so much emotion in his eyes.
"Ohh my little Lili" he said drawing her into his arms as his eyes glittered with tears. "You are growing up so quickly" he continued queezing her a little before letting go.
Taking a step back he looked at his daughter who had grown into a fine woman with long dark hair that reached slightly just below her waist, big bold eyes with the lightest shade of brown that looked almost transparent, small round face and a cute red lip that could make any man drool.
She was the epitome of beauty.
Smiling, with shaky hands he held face, "you look so much like your mother my dear" he said, sniffing he continued "If only she had waited a bit longer to see how beautiful you have become" he said with sadness in her eyes.
"But I'm sure wherever she is, she would be so proud of you" he said smiling again and then draw her into his arm with contentment in his heart.
"Okay okay that's enough, leave some for grandma now" the elderly woman beside the man said as she opened her arms to Aliza.
Aliza flung herself into her arm as she snuggled in like a baby, "okay now let's cut your cake" the elderly woman said and walked them towards the table where the cake was, picking up the lighter from the table, she lit the candle on the cake.
"Quickly blow out the candle and make a wish" the elderly woman said.
Aliza complied, she bent forward and blew out the candle, holding her two hands before her she closed her eyes tightly and made a wish.
"What did you wish for" Ethan aliza's brother who has been quiet all this while watching the drama suddenly spoke up.
His grandma who was right beside him suddenly knocked his head, "why are you asking her such, don't you want her wish to work. Haven't you heard the saying if a wish is heard by another person it won't work" she said with a humph.
Turning to Aliza "come now let me feed you a big slice of your cake" she said picking up the knife they had brought with them along with the lighter and cake.
She cut a slice of the cake and fed to Aliza.
"Grandma me to, I want to have a slice" he said squealing like a cat with pleading eyes.
" You want a slice? Is it your birthday now, why should I give you a slice" she turning her back to face him with her chin slightly higher.
"Because I'm your darling grandson have you forgotten, and plus even if the cake isn't mine it belongs to my sweet sister and anything that belongs to my sister is mine right" he said walking to Aliza and placing a hard on her shoulder.
Aliza bent her shoulder letting his hand slip away. He looked down at his short sister, with a hmph he poked his tongue at her and she did the same as they both turned their head to the opposite directions.
Their father smiled seeing their childish interaction.
"Okay now come get a slice before you die from the sour taste of vinegar" she said to Ethan and he happily ran to her taking the slice of cake before wolfing down the cake.
"Okay that's enough, let's leave her alone for a bit" he said escorting his mother and son out of the room. On getting to the door he suddenly stopped, "you both should go first I have something to discuss with Lili in private" he told the dou.
Ethan held his grandma shoulder and escorted her out of the room leaving his dad and Lili in the room.