DAD ALWAYS DISAPPEARS ON MY BIRTHDAY — I FOLLOWED HIM TO THE CEMETERY AND MY HEART BROKE WHEN I KNEW THAT MY BIRTHDAY WAS THE DAY OF MY MOTHER’S DEATH
THE MYSTERY OF THE EIGHTEENTH YEAR
The entire mansion was awake. The servants were busy arranging balloons, flowers, and decorations in the vast garden. This was the day that many had been waiting for—Clara’s 18th Birthday or Debut. She was the only daughter of wealthy businessman Don Roberto.

Everyone was excited, except Clara.

Clara was sitting in front of the mirror in her bedroom, staring at the expensive gown her father had given her. It was powder blue, full of Swarovski crystals, and made by a famous designer. But there was no smile on her lips.

She picked up a small card that was lying on the bed. It was handwritten by her Dad.

“Happy 18th Birthday, my Princess. I’m sorry, I can’t attend your party tonight. I have a sudden emergency meeting in the province that I need to go to for the company. I’ll just leave my credit card with Yaya for whatever you need. Enjoy your night. I love you. – Papa”

Clara tore up the card and threw it in the trash. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Always,” Clara whispered to herself. “Always like this.”

Ever since Clara started thinking about it, she had never been with her father on the day of her birthday. Whenever June 15 came, Roberto always disappeared.

On her 7th birthday, he sent a clown and a magician, but Papa wasn’t there.

On her graduation, which fell on her birthday, he arrived late and drunk.

And now, on the most important day of her teenage years, he was gone again.

“Why, Papa?” ​​Clara asked. “Don’t you love me? Or do you have a family outside that’s why you’re there for my birthday?”

For years, Clara had harbored resentment. But now that she was 18, she decided to end the questions.

“I’m not going to party,” she said firmly. She took off her gown and changed into a simple hoodie and jeans. “I’m going to find out the truth.”

FOLLOWING THE SHADOW
Clara went through the backyard so that the organizers and bodyguards wouldn’t see her. She saw her father’s old car just leaving the garage. She wondered. Why was Papa driving an old sedan and not his new SUV?

Clara got into her own car and secretly followed her father.

Roberto’s car was going fast. It passed through EDSA, turned into small streets, until it stopped at a Flower Shop in Dangwa.

Clara watched her father from afar. Roberto got out. He was wearing a black polo shirt.

Roberto bought a large bouquet of White Lilies.

“Lilies?” Clara wondered. “Who are those for? For his girlfriend?”

Roberto got back in and drove. This time, they were driving further and further away from the city. The tall buildings were replaced by trees and grass. The noise of Manila was replaced by silence.

Clara was nervous. “Where is he really going?”

After a two-hour drive, Roberto’s car stopped in front of a large iron gate.

Clara read the inscription on the arch: PARAISO MEMORIAL PARK.

Cemetery.

BREAKING THE SILENCE
Roberto’s car pulled in. Clara also got in, turning off her car’s lights so as not to be noticed.

Roberto stopped at the far end of the cemetery, under a large Narra tree. The place was peaceful, quiet, and the only sound was the chirping of birds.

Roberto came down with the flowers. He walked to a tomb made of white marble.

Clara hid behind a statue of an angel. From her position, she could clearly see her father—the brave and strict Don Roberto—kneeling slowly on the grass.

Roberto put down the flowers. He caressed the tombstone.

And there, Clara saw something she didn’t expect.

Her father’s shoulder began to shake. The sobs of a man in pain could be heard in the silence of the place.

“I love you…” Roberto cried. “Happy Anniversary… I miss you so much.”

Clara came a little closer. She wanted to see whose grave it was.

When she read the inscription on the tombstone, it felt like her heart stopped beating.

ELISSE M. DELOS SANTOS

Born: September 10, 1980

Died: June 15, 2004

“June 15…” Clara whispered as her hands shook. She covered her mouth.

June 15, 2004.

That was the exact day of her birth.

That was her birthday.

The day she celebrated every year… was the day her mother died.

THE BITTER TRUTH
Clara couldn’t hold herself back anymore. She came out of her hiding place.

“Papa?”

Roberto turned around. He was shocked to see his daughter crying. He quickly wiped away her tears and stood up.

“Clara? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the party?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Clara sobbed, approaching the grave of the mother she had never met. “Papa… is that so? Is that why you’re not attending my birthday? Because… because Mama died when I was born?”

Roberto bowed his head. The strong wall he had built over 18 years collapsed in front of his daughter.

“Yes, son,” Roberto replied weakly.

They sat on the grass, in front of Elisse’s grave. There, Roberto told the story he had been hiding for a long time.

“Eighteen years ago,” Roberto began, his voice cracking. “Your Mama and I were so happy when we found out she was pregnant. You were our dream. But her pregnancy was delicate. Elisse had a weak heart.”

“The day she was going to give birth… there was a complication. Her blood pressure dropped. The doctor talked to me. He said, ‘Mr. Delos Santos, I’m going to make you choose. The baby or the mother? We can’t save both of them.’”

Clara cried even harder. “What… what happened?”

“I wanted to choose your Mama,” Roberto admitted. “I love her so much. I can’t live without her. But… Elisse heard me even though she was already weak.”

Roberto held Clara’s hand.

“Your mother held my hand. She said, ‘Roberto, it seems you have mercy. Save our child. She will be my memory. She will be my life. Please, let her live.’”

“So I fulfilled her wish,” Roberto continued. “You were born, healthy and beautiful. You were crying loudly. But on the other bed… your mother’s heart had stopped beating.”

THE CHANGE OF LIFE
Clara hugged her father tightly. She felt the weight he had carried for so many years.

“That’s why…” Clara sobbed. “That’s why you can’t look at me on my birthday. Because you remember him.”

“Forgive me, Clara,” Roberto cried. “It’s not because I don’t love you. I love you so much. You are your Mama’s most precious gift to me. But every time I see you celebrating on June 15… the pain comes back to me. I remember that for you to live… the woman I love the most had to be gone.”

“I feel like I’m committing a sin when I celebrate the day she died. That’s why I’m running here. This is where I’m congratulating your Mama. This is where I’m asking for forgiveness.”

Clara touched her father’s face.

“Dad, it’s not your fault. And it’s not my fault either. Mama wanted this. She gave her life so we could have a family.”

Clara looked at the tombstone.

“Mama… thank you. Thank you for the life you gave. I won’t waste it.”

THE BEST DAY
Clara stood her father up.

“Dad, let’s not go home,” Clara said. “I don’t want a party anymore. I don’t want guests anymore. I want, we can just stay here.”

“Are you sure?” Roberto asked. “Your debut today.”

“This is the best debut, Papa. I’m with you two. You and Mama.”

Clara called home and canceled the party. Everyone was shocked, but she didn’t care.

They spread a blanket on the grass. They opened the cake Clara had bought earlier on the way.

Under the light of the moon and stars, Roberto sang “Happy Birthday” to his daughter. This was the first time in 18 years that Clara had heard her father’s voice wishing her on that very day.

And for the first time, a smile came to Roberto’s eyes as he looked at Clara. He saw that June 15 didn’t just bring death. It also brought life—the life of a young woman who looked exactly like Elisse.

“Happy Birthday, Clara,” Roberto greeted.

“Happy Birthday to Mama in heaven too,” Clara replied.

That night, they both learned that mourning and celebration can go hand in hand. That Clara’s every breath is connected to her mother’s. And the best way to say thank you

n Elisse’s sacrifice was for them to live happily, together, and full of love.

Roberto never disappeared again on Clara’s subsequent birthdays. Because he realized that every time he looked at his daughter, he didn’t see the reason for his wife’s disappearance… but the reason why her sacrifice was worth it.