This incident happened 4 years ago, but day by day, I slowly realised its value and how it changed my view of life.

After the second lockdown, in December 2021, I was sitting in one of the loudest classrooms in my school. I sat at the first desk with my friend. I still remember that day—it was December 23 because the next day was my birthday.

It was also the first birthday after my mom died.

I didn't expect anything and didn't wish for anything. I didn't even think much about my birthday that year. I was sitting near the window, looking outside and feeling the cold air.

Suddenly, a girl called out from the last desk.

"Advance happy birthday! Don't forget to bring chocolates tomorrow!"

She wasn't the only one who heard herself. The whole class heard her voice and slowly turned their heads toward me. As I expected, questions started coming. One of my friends said, "That small chocolate isn't enough for us. Give us a treat!"
Another added, "We want biriyani, or at least take us to a bakery."

The list kept getting longer.

Then one girl asked me, "Did you buy a new dress? What colour is it?"

I replied,

"I didn't buy a dress this year..."

Then I paused for a moment and continued,

"And sorry about the chocolates. I won't bring anything tomorrow. I'll give you all something another day."

They asked me why.

I answered quietly,

"It's the first birthday after my mom died, so I don't want to celebrate this year. And I can't ask my dad to buy chocolates."

I said it in a low voice while trying not to cry. After hearing that, they understood and changed the topic.
The next day, however, my dad gave me some sweet boxes and a pack of chocolates. I felt a little better and more relaxed. I went to school and gave the sweets to my classmates one by one. Then, suddenly, one girl gave me a gift.

I opened it and saw a large pack of Dairy Milk chocolates. At first, I didn't understand why she gave it to me because we weren't close friends. I had known her for about three years, but we rarely talked. Still, I thanked her, went back to my desk, shared some chocolates with my friends, and kept a few for myself.

During the last period, she came and sat beside me. I thanked her again. Then she suddenly said,

"Now I think I should have bought you something else instead. Maybe a watch or something useful."

Like the idiot I was, I replied, "Yeah, why did you buy this huge pack of Dairy Milk? If you had bought something else, I could have used it for a long time."

Then she gave me an answer that I didn't fully understand at that time.

She said, "Because you told us you didn't want to ask your father. I thought you might come to school today without chocolates, so I bought this for the whole class."

Even then, my stupid mind didn't properly understand what she meant. I just replied, "Oh, now I get it."

Then I continued sharing the chocolates with everyone in class. Months passed quickly. School ended, and we all went our separate ways for university. But I never forgot that moment. Now, when I think about it, I realise what she was actually thinking.

Maybe she thought that if I came to school without chocolates, my friends and classmates would keep asking about them. Maybe I would remember my mom and start crying again. She didn't want my birthday to be spoiled that way. So, she bought those chocolates and gave them to me as a gift. Today, I realise that if I had been in her place, I probably wouldn't have done what she did.

Another thing I realised is that my close friends also saw me cry that day. They knew I hadn't bought a new dress. They knew I didn't want to celebrate my birthday that year.

My best friend and my group of friends stood beside me and tried to cheer me up. They told me not to think about it and to enjoy the day. But none of them did what she did. That doesn't mean they were fake friends. Not at all. The reason is simple. They didn't see the situation the way she did. And honestly, I don't know if I can ever become someone like that girl. But I hope one day I can learn to see people and the world the way she did.

Her name was Mahalakshmi. I don't know which university she went to after school. I don't know what she's doing now. I don't even have her Instagram account or phone number.

But she has always stayed in my memory. I wanted to share this story about her, so I did. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read it.

.    .    .