Like most teenagers, Sara was often lost in her friends’ world. After school, she spent her day scrolling through social media, chatting to friends about the latest trends or daydreaming about fun plans. However, Sara was also expecting that she would be shown the same level of kindness in return. Little did she know that her upcoming birthday would show her the true difference between unconditional love and expectations.

One day, Sara’s mother was not feeling well, so she wanted Sara to do a little favour for her.

“Sara, Sara!” mother called out.

But Sara didn’t respond, as she was lost in her thoughts about her birthday, which was approaching soon. She wondered if her friend might give her a human-sized teddy, or how wonderful it would be if her aunt gifted her a tablet.

Sara finally heard the faint call of her name from her mother’s room and went to her.

“Sara, I was wondering if you could do the dishes. I’m not feeling well today; I’ve got a fever,” her mother asked gently.

Sara nodded reluctantly and went upstairs, her mind still busy with thoughts of what her friends might give her.

“What if Diya surprises me at school with a cake?” one hopeful thought followed another, without her realising how much she was expecting. Sara imagined her entire birthday, thinking of all the people she had helped and how they would send her sweet wishes and shower her with gifts. She became so lost in these thoughts that the dishes slipped from her mind and sleep quietly took over.

The next morning, Sara’s mother woke up feeling very sick. She went to the kitchen, washed the dishes, and even with a burning fever, prepared breakfast for Sara. When Sara came down for school and saw her mother, weak and worn out, she felt embarrassed. Sometimes, when you are too lost in your own world, you forget about the people who love you more than you realise.

At school, Sara kept smiling at everyone, quietly expecting wishes, greetings and presents, as her birthday was just the next day.

Her mother’s condition had not improved when Sara returned home, however, she was still lost in her own world. That night, with only a few minutes left before the date changed, she waited eagerly to be wished and greeted.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Sara’s mother had finished baking a chocolate cake and decorated it nicely. Despite being sick, Sara’s mother did everything she could. She then decorated the wall with colourful balloons, bright ribbons and a big “Happy Birthday” in the centre. She had already bought a mobile phone for Sara and placed it carefully near the cake, hoping the small celebration would please her daughter.

Even though her mother was very tired and sleepy, she waited for midnight to wish Sara. But she did not go to her room immediately and waited for a few minutes, then quietly went inside, only to find her daughter crying.

“Sara? What happened?” her mother asked softly. “I know something is wrong, but you can count on me. Tell me what’s bothering you. We can fix it together.”

The silence in the room was broken by Sara’s shaking voice. Her lips trembled as she spoke, and her hands quivered as she tried to wipe away her tears, but they kept falling.

“Mama… no one wished me! I was expecting so many messages, but even my best friend forgot it was my birthday. I never get what I expect. How could everyone forget? Haven’t they remembered all the help I gave them, how I always did special things for their birthdays? Even Hira didn’t wish me. We went to her house late at night just to wish her, remember, mama?”

Sara’s mother understood what her daughter was going through.

“Sara, when you help or do good for others only because you expect something in return, it stops being kind,” she said gently. “We should help without expecting anything back. When you let go of expectations, life feels lighter. Friendships grow when you are no longer carrying the weight of wanting something in return. If you hold on to this burden, happiness will always slip away.”

She placed a gentle hand on Sara’s cheek and whispered, “Expectations aren’t always bad, but being tied to them is. Don’t let them weigh down your heart. I cook and do the household chores every day. Do you think I expect something in return? And remember yesterday, when you didn’t do the dishes? Do you think I should have cried because you didn’t meet my expectations?”

Sara suddenly felt very small and ashamed.

“Now come downstairs and see what I’ve prepared,” her mother said, holding her hand and helping her get up.

As Sara entered the lounge, she felt even more embarrassed. Despite being unwell, her mother had decorated the room and surprised her daughter with a beautiful cake and a present.

Her eyes filled with tears as she hugged her mother tightly, realising that the truest gift was not the balloons, the cake or the phone wrapped in ribbons, but the lesson itself — that love without expectation is the love that truly lasts.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 31st, 2026