Free Fridays: The birthday suspense.

12 December 2025

It was my birthday yesterday. I turned 38.

And it was a birthday in suspense.

A few days earlier I got this email from the kids’ school.

Out of all the awards, this one made my heart skip a beat. An award in… WRITING?! Omg stoppppp. My passion is living through my kid! It didn’t even matter which child got this, I would’ve jumped up and down. I mean, good job, Daniel.

Then I saw the date. Oh wow on my birthday! What an amazing birthday gift for me from my child. I pictured myself in the school hall, beaming with my phone camera shouting GO DANIEL.

Daniel came home and asked, “Did you get an email from my school?”

“Yes! I’m so proud of you! I can’t believe you have my talent!” I exclaimed, followed by some eye rolls from him.

“So you’re coming right?”

“OF COURSE! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” I said, giving him a kiss on the head.

But what is life without some twists and turns. Because I then received this a few days after…

Court date. Ok no worries, been in and out of court so much if Maps had a Maps Wrapped, Court would be 2025’s Top 5.

WAIT A MINUTE.

11 December?! My birthday? I have to go to court on my birthday? Alaaa.

WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE.

Same day also as Daniel’s award!

My heart sank.

I cannot miss this award. It’s my favourite one. No offence, netball-spelling bee-house games-swimming gala-robotics-harp-violin-latin dance-best student – but you’re no writing.

And I also can’t ask the court to change the date given.

OK sokay. Court is 9am, Daniel’s award is 11am. The court might have fewer cases that day, just hear my case quickly, then court sings me birthday song, then we can go right? Just a quick one, Insyaallah. I can leave court by 10.30am and make it to school for Daniel.

Something in my heart said that’s never going to happen, court will at least take four hours. But come on, positive thinking, positive thinking.

The eve of my birthday, Fadza and I told Daniel the possibility of us not attending. “Daniel, we might not be able to make it for your award. Mom and Dad have court tomorrow,” we said, apologetically.

Daniel looked sad for a second, then quickly put on a happy face for us. “Don’t worry, guys! It’s no big deal.”

My heart sank. Of course it’s a big deal. You are our big deal. ☹️

The next morning, as they got ready for school, the kids came to kiss us off. “Happy birthday, Mommy! Good luck at court, you got this!”

And Daniel, in particular, came to me and asked, “Mom, you sure you won’t make it to my award?” The fact that he asked again, I knew he was hoping. My heart felt like it was being squeezed.

“I don’t think I’ll make it, sweetheart. I’m so sorry,” I said, not wanting to give him any hope.

But silently praying, Allah, you can make miracles, please let today be a miracle that we get to see Daniel take his award. Please help this mother’s heart, Allah.

8am

Fadza and I were already in court. Just in case the judge starts early, we’re on standby already. I had breakfast in the court cafeteria, then my best friends surprised me there despite me saying no need come. But they never listen, so. “We’re spending your birthday with you. If it’s in court, it’s in court.” Sigh. Alhamdulillah, I’m so blessed.

There, there, no need to point, Ajjrina. They know who “jenayah” is.

8.50am

Judge calls for order. YES!! He started early. Ok come on, let’s finish early. Oh no… there are so many people in the courtroom today with their own cases.

9am

I get called to the dock, I sit in the chair. I give my biggest smile to the judge, hoping he can telepathically hear “Please can I get released early so I can see my son taking his award? It’s a writing award…” I consider winking, but decide that’s a bad idea.

My case gets mentioned. My name and IC number get called out. Admin stuff etc.

I get asked to leave the dock and sit back with the rest.

No birthday song, then?

Ok no birthday song, then.

10am

Cases after me are being heard, witnesses in the dock. Something about a Ferrari and someone borrowing money and didn’t pay back. I keep looking at the time. Finally I message the lawyer “Can we go yet?” followed by a “No, the judge needs to type for every case, so he can’t process ours yet.” Crying emojis. I consider going up there and typing for the judge. Decided that’s a bad idea also.

10.15am

Yes we are released! We now must go downstairs to process the paperwork. Please, please, let there be less people.

We get downstairs. There are a lot of people.

We wait our turn.

I sit in the waiting chair, my heart slowly breaking.

“Vivy Sofinas?” I heard.

Yes!!

“Ok, duduk dulu ye. Saya kena type document untuk awak sign.” The officer says as he went inside.

Body plonked back onto the chair, while my heart plonked to basement level 4.

My mind was already with Daniel in his school. I imagine him going up to get the award, scanning his eyes around the audience to see if Mom and Dad made it in the end, by some miracle. And I could feel tears coming to my eyes, but quickly told myself to hold it together.

I don’t think I’m going to make it, Daniel, Mommy’s sorry, I thought sadly.

I’ll tell you the ending next Tuesday… Part 2 awaits you.

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Before you go…

December is my birthday month! My gift to you is a discount on the paid subscription package: 20% off for the annual subscription of Sincerely, Vivy. Time to tell your friends who like to read also! Click here to redeem the offer —> https://sincerelyvivy.substack.com/birthdaymonth

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Before you really go…

Let me know you’ve read this. Comment “you made it” or “you didn’t make it” on my latest post at @sincerelyvivy.

See you there! :)