It’s your birthday.

It should be a beautiful day.

Your parents put so much effort into organizing a little surprise party for you.

Everything is decorated with love, soft music is playing in the background and everyone is laughing and chatting.

And yet, your eyes keep drifting back to your phone.

You and Lando haven’t really talked in a week. You know how crazy things are for him right now.

Race weekend is coming up. He’s traveling, doing interviews, training sessions, endless strategy meetings.

The usual madness.

And things haven’t been much easier for you either. University has completely taken over your life.

Exams, deadlines, projects.

It’s one of those times when life just piles up between you, even though neither of you has done anything wrong.

It’s just…life.

At least he sent you a sweet message this morning.

Lando : Happy Birthday, baby! I wish I could be there with you. I’ll call you later, I promise.

It was sweet.

You smiled when you read it. But now, as the evening stretches on, your chest feels heavier and heavier.

You let out a quiet sigh, weave through the laughing crowd and step out onto the balcony.

The cool night air feels refreshing as you unlock your phone again.

No new messages.

No call.

A small wave of disappointment washes over you as you glance up at the sky, where the stars are hidden behind soft clouds.

Maybe he just didn’t have time. Maybe he’s exhausted. Maybe the time difference messed everything up.

And then suddenly, your phone vibrates in your hand.

A call.

Lando.

Your heart leaps as you answer without hesitation.

“Hey, baby.” His voice is tired..exhausted, but warm.

“Hey…” You whisper softly.

“I’m so sorry I’m only calling now. Today’s been insane meetings, press, last minute team briefings…I didn’t want to just squeeze in a rushed call between everything. I wanted to have time. For you.” His voice is quick, but gentle.

You swallow, your throat tightens. “It’s okay. I know how it is..it's not your fault.” You whisper, pulling your jacket a little tighter around yourself.

“Still…I hate that I’m not there with you tonight. I wish I was with you right now, instead of sitting alone in some hotel room on the other side of the world.”

For a moment, neither of you says anything. Only the distant sound of laughter from your friends drifts through the air.

Tears start to fill your eyes.

“Turn on FaceTime." He suddenly says softly.

You switch to video and there he is. Lying in the hotel bed, hair a mess, eyes tired, but smiling.

That smile you love so much.

“Happy Birthday again, baby. I wish I could hold you right now…kiss you..cuddle with you.” His voice is low, tender. “Next year…I’ll be with you for your birthday. I promise.”

Your lips tremble as the first tears silently roll down your cheeks.

“Hey…don’t cry, please.” His voice drops to a whisper. “I know it’s hard right now…but I love you. And I promise, as soon as I’m back, we’ll make up for everything. Just you and me, okay?”

“Okay. I just..wish you were here..” You whisper, nodding as you wipe away your tears.

“I know. I know baby. And I'm so sorry..I love you. Don’t ever forget that, okay?” He whispers again.