12/07/2025
KARMA ALWAYS COMES BACK
A short story
On the morning of her seventh birthday, Lila was gently shaken awake by soft hands and hushed giggles. The warm glow of sunlight spilled through her curtains as her mom stood over her, holding a small cake with flickering candles and surrounded by colorful balloons.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” her mom whispered.
Lila blinked, her sleepiness fading quickly. “It’s today?!”
She sat up, eyes sparkling, and blew out the candles with a hopeful wish in her heart — the same wish she’d whispered to every star for months. Then, her mom stepped aside and pointed to something on the floor — a small, towel-covered bundle. Curious, Lila crawled out of bed and slowly pulled the towel away.
A tiny, snow-white Persian kitten looked up at her.
Lila gasped. “No way… she’s perfect!”
