I peered out of the window and noticed every raindrop falling on the window pane. I sighed. I’ll be turning sixteen next week.

What’s the big deal? It’s not the end of the world anyway, I thought.

Unfortunately, it feels that way.

How I wished I was still seven years old. I can still remember how I celebrated my seventh birthday. I had a birthday party and everyone I know was invited. Even my least favorite cousins and playmates were there. Everyone invited brought gifts. From small packages to the large ones, I was anticipating to open every single one. Up to now, every time the memory slips in my mind, I just couldn’t help but smile.

What am I thinking? That was nine years ago. Time flies so fast; I realized. It was only like yesterday when my nanny used to tie my hair in pigtails and I drag my favorite doll everywhere I go. I was still a child back then — gullible, innocent and naïve. But now, look at me; I am not the innocent-looking girl that everybody used to know. I began to change from a little innocent girl to a creepy, hideous monster.

I have seen and felt so much, even things that weren’t supposed to happen. My parents' separation, losing my loved ones, pain and rejection — those were some of the things I have seen and witnessed in the past few years. Life has been bitter to me all this time. I have been living in the dark, hiding and running away from all the things that makes me want to break down and cry.

The rain had finally stopped. Slowly, the sun came out and rays of sunlight passed through my window. My eyes flickered, adjusting to the light. I closed my eyes and began reminiscing. Memories of my seventh birthday flashed through my mind. Smiling faces were all I can see. I see myself blowing the candle from my birthday cake. I was so blissful and happy. After that, I opened my eyes and found myself smiling.

It was then that I knew that the sun will rise for me again. Rain may come and go but I know for sure that I could make it through the heaviest storms, because I've already grappled and triumphed through some of them. As I welcome my sixteenth birthday, whether it would be rain or shine, I would just shrug and tell the whole world that here I am — ready to face new challenges that I may encounter. Because I know, there is always sunshine after the rain... and I will always make it through.