Let's celebrate, Lia

They say you don't need to look for a man, once you graduate, they will approach you themselves. But all that is only for beautiful women, it's been eight years since I graduated from college and had three different works yet I'm still NBSB!

I just want to cry, today is Valentine's Day and my twenty-eighth birthday but almost everyone around me received flowers and gifts except me. I just sat on my desk and looked at my things in the box, this is my last day at work but no one even bothered to say goodbye.

Well, who am I?

I'm just Lia, the outcast from elementary school until now. It's not that I don't want to be alone, I'm happy with this. I don't have to think twice about leaving my job.

I honestly can't wait to start my new job, the company I've been looking forward to since the beginning.

Even though I didn't receive flowers or chocolate today, tomorrow will be the best gift I received. I will be a secretary for the CEO of JHN company, I feel like it’s just a dream.

Little by little, smiles appeared on my lips, "guys, I'm leaving!" I shouted and stood up from the chair, I picked up a box containing my personal belongings but they just turned to me and nodded.

It's for the better.

~

I immediately dropped my body on the bed when I got home, mom was busy cooking while dad and his friends who were invited to my birthday were drinking outside.

"Oh, when will your daughter get married? She is twenty-eight, isn't she, it will be difficult for her to have children soon. My daughter has given me two grandchildren." I heard one of his friends say.

I can't stop my eyes from rolling in annoyance, it's them again. Since I turned twenty-three, they didn't know anything to say but when will I get married, when will I have children, or do I have any plans to have a relationship?

Sometimes I want to go out and answer their questions, but I choose to keep quiet and lock myself in my room. I won't gain anything if I entertain them with repeated questions, just a waste of time.

If only I had known, I wouldn't have come home yet, sometimes it's getting boring. I'm tired of being with them, what's wrong with being single at the age of twenty-eight?

"Also, I didn't want to be single at this age!" I screamed and buried my face in my soft pillow. What do they know about my life, apart from just wanting gossip, they have nothing to contribute or help!

I immediately turned to my cell phone when it suddenly vibrated, fortunately, I had at least a friend. "Lia! Happy birthday!” She screamed immediately after I answered the call.

"Sara, you don't have to scream." I said with a low tone, there was no energy left in me after I heard my father’s friend question, "But thank you, aren't you coming here?"

"Eh?! Why would I go there, to hear the words of your parents and their friends? They will bug me again with their repeated questions about why we don't have a boyfriend yet, don't we have plans to get married or have children." Sara said on the other line as if she was tired of those things around her.

"So, you're going to leave me hanging here?" I laughed at her, this is the first time she refused to come here, well, we are not on the same level. Sara is a beautiful and sociable person, if she wants, she will have a boyfriend immediately.

She wanted to be single, not like me that had no choice but to stay single…

"Well, instead of celebrating your birthday in your house why don't you come with me tonight? I will make you enjoy your day, Lia.” Even though I couldn't see her face, I knew she was grinning.

"The tone of your voice makes me nervous, Sara, but even if I wanted to, do you think Mom would let me leave the house like it's my birthday, duh?" I said with a sigh.

"Girl, that's the problem with you. You’re old enough to make your own decision, just say that you want to meet me tonight. Also, I'll pick you up there so I'm sure Aunty will let you! So, get ready I will be there in fifteen minutes, bye!” Before I could react, she hung up.

So, what can I do?

I quickly got up from the bed and took a shower, even though I'm not sure what Sara's plan is, all I know is that I want to escape from this house just for tonight.

Fifteen minutes later I was done preparing myself, I didn't know what else I should add besides the powder I put on my face. I'm sure Sara will scold me again for my appearance, but I don't know how to fix it.

"Lia, come out. Sara is here waiting for you," said Mom after knocking three times on the door.

"Yes, ma! Please just wait a minute.” I immediately looked for my bag and put my wallet and my cell phone in there, aside from those two, I only added a handkerchief and left the room. "Sarah!" I called her.

She looks my way, I can tell that she’s already irritated.

"Oh, there's Lia. Why did you come out now, it's been a long time since we saw you? How is life, we heard that you were hired at JHN company. It looks like you're doing a good job, you can build your own family now." One of mom's friends said.

"Oh, I just got hired Tita. I don't have any savings and my own house yet, it's easy to have a husband and children but money is not." My simple reply.

“Oh, you will not be happy with money. You need a partner in life and a child, you are getting older and older, who will take care of you when the time comes?" Another one said.

I tried to stop myself but a soft laugh stole all of our attention, Sara, as she held her stomach. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at what you said, but that's not true. I mean, are you happy if your husband doesn't come home with money even on payday? Because you have a husband and children doesn't mean you can be happy, for other people money is enough."

Oh no! I saw Mom's friend's face turn sour, she was angry with Sara.

"And who are you to interfere in our conversation? Maybe you're the one pushing Lia not to get married, you want both of you to be single for life! What does a woman like you know who wears clothes that lack fabric and looks like a slutty woman?!”

"Excuse me, old aunt, I don't need to be paid because I have money. I am the one who pays them to have me, I can pay any man I want." Sara smiled and looked at Mom, "Aunt, I would like to take Lia to a party outside. I will make sure she will be fine, please?”

Mom looked at me and nodded, "Okay, just make sure nothing bad will happen to you two." Mom also smiled, but I could tell she was not happy about what happened.

"Okay, thank you! Come on, Lia, let's go." Sara rolled her eyes as she turned to Mom's friend again before leaving the house, even before we got into Sara's car, I heard Mom's angry voice telling her friend to leave. "Hear that? how many times your parent asks you about your love life doesn't mean they are pressuring you and letting the other pressure you too."

I didn't say anything, no matter what she said it still wouldn't change that I felt bad when they asked. Maybe they are just worried, but can't they wait?

I am under pressure, I don't know if I will have a love life before my age disappears from the calendar. "Never mind, so where are we going to celebrate my birthday?" I change the subject.

A smirk appeared on her lips, "We will go to the famous night bar, Lia!" She chuckled and started to drive.