"Happy Birthday, sweetie! Wake up, it's your special day!"
Kelvin's cheerful voice rang through the quiet room like a bell, bouncing off the walls of the high-tech, softly lit bedroom. The sound stirred Purity from a shallow sleep, and she groaned in protest, pulling the blanket over her head.
Her father didn't relent. He leaned over, gently nudging her shoulder. "Come on, birthday girl. Time to wake up. Thirteen today—officially a teenager!"
Purity groaned again. "Dad… it's too early. Let me sleep a little longer," she muttered, her voice muffled beneath the covers.
"But it's your birthday! Aren't you supposed to be excited?" Kelvin teased with a grin, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
Purity poked her head out from the blanket, her hair messy and her eyes still heavy with sleep. "Birthdays are for little kids, Dad. I'm not five anymore. I'm thirteen. Birthdays don't move me."
She yawned and closed her eyes again, hoping he would take the hint and let her drift back to sleep. She had spent the whole night working on a robotics prototype and lost track of time. It was already four in the morning when she finally laid down. Now, not even two hours later, her dad was waking her up.
Kelvin sat beside her, his voice softening. "Purity… what have I always said about showing gratitude before complaining?"
Purity peeked at him and let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, Dad. Thank you for the birthday wishes," she said sincerely, if a little reluctantly. "It's just... I don't know. Birthdays feel kind of childish now."
"Childish?" Kelvin raised a brow. "Then explain the cake I brought up here—with candles—waiting to be wished on."
She glanced at the tray he was holding. Sure enough, a small, beautifully decorated chocolate cake sat there, topped with a single glowing candle.
"Noooo," she groaned, shaking her head. "There's no point. None of my birthday wishes ever come true anyway."
Kelvin smiled knowingly. "What if I told you that this time, your wish would come true right away?"
Purity's eyes opened wider. "Really?" she asked cautiously, not sure if it was another one of his playful tricks.
"Yes," he nodded. "I promise."
That promise—simple and heartfelt—made her pause. With a quiet breath, she leaned forward, closed her eyes, and blew out the candle. The small flame flickered out with a soft hiss, and the room grew still.
"So…" Kelvin asked with a grin, "what did you wish for, my girl?"
Purity hesitated, her voice suddenly soft and sincere. "I wish... to explore the world, Dad. I don't want to be locked inside anymore. I want to go out like other kids. Go to school. Make friends. See real things—not just through a screen or a camera."
Kelvin blinked, surprised by the rawness in her voice.
"I'm tired of living behind gates and guards. I want to know what the sky feels like when you're not watching it from a window. I want to hear noise, laughter, footsteps that aren't just yours or mine. I want to live, Dad... really live."
Kelvin was quiet for a moment, his smile slowly fading into something more thoughtful.
"You don't have to be sad today," he said finally, gently brushing her hair back from her face. "Because it's your birthday. And just like I promised... your wish is granted."
Purity sat up straight, her sleepiness forgotten. "Wait... what?"
"I said it's granted," Kelvin repeated. "I heard schools are resuming on Monday. We'll go together and get you registered."
She stared at him in disbelief. "You're serious? You're really letting me go?"
He nodded. "Do you have a school in mind? Or should I research the best ones nearby?"
Her breath caught in her throat. For thirteen years, she had lived in complete isolation. Not because her father didn't love her—but because he loved her too much. He had always told her the world was dangerous, unpredictable, and cruel. As a renowned scientist with powerful enemies, he feared that exposing her to the outside would put her in harm's way.
Their apartment wasn't just a home—it was a fortress. Security systems, surveillance drones, biometric locks. Once, when she tried to sneak out, the alarm had sounded before she reached the front gate. That was the day she realized freedom, for her, was just a dream.
But she never stopped hoping.
And even though she was confined, Kelvin had given her everything else. The best education money could buy—private online tutors, virtual science labs, language lessons, coding, music, martial arts... even philosophy. She mastered things most adults struggled to grasp. Her IQ scores ranked off the charts. She built machines, solved algorithms, played violin sonatas blindfolded, and spoke five languages fluently.
But none of that replaced human connection.
No laughter shared in a hallway. No friends to whisper secrets to. No firsthand experience of the world she longed for.
And now... it was finally happening.
"I don't believe it..." she whispered.
"Well," Kelvin chuckled, "believe it. Today, I'm not just your dad. I'm your genie. You made your wish, and I'm making it real."
A flood of joy lit up Purity's face. She leapt up and hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Thank you, Dad," she whispered.
Kelvin held her close, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You've been patient long enough. I think... it's time."
They stayed like that for a while, in silence, both of them knowing that this was more than just a birthday. It was a new beginning.