It is John’s 18th birthday and he consider this day as the most especial birthday of his entire life because his Dad had promised him to receive a very especial gift. He already hinted that his father will give him the car that he used to ask as a birthday gift since he was 12 years old but only his Dad explained that he will only get it when he is already in the right age. John assumed that 18th years old is the perfect age for his own car.

He just stay inside the house all day with his Mom, talking excitedly about his assumptions but his Mom  just smiling teasingly and not giving any answers with certainty. “Don’t be too excited John! Let’s just wait for your Dad to arrive and let’s see what surprise had he prepared for you!” Those words from his Mom only make John more curious and excited. He stood up as his Dad enter the house and greeted him a happy birthday with a warm hug. His Mom then emerged from the kitchen with a chocolate cake topped with a single candle. She then kissed John on the cheek and wished a “Happy Birthday”.

John’s eyebrows contorted when he noticed that his father handling him a rectangular-shaped gift with a wide grin in his face. His parents both commanded him to open his present. John was speechless with the gift at hand. All he knew was that it’s not definitely the gift he expects. He tore the wrapper with disappointment and a Bible revealed. John’s disappointment turns to anger. He looked furiously on both of his parents with the Bible in his trembling grip. He said nothing and threw the book at the couch. He then rushed at the door and get out of the house and left his awestricken parents. With his motorbike, he went to his friend’s place. After a few hours, his phone rang.

On the other line, a cop requested him to rush on a hospital. He found his parents both in coma.  He learned that they were about to cross the street in front of their house when a reckless car driven by a minor-aged boy bumped them accidentally. John was so confused of the things that are happening. Everything has happened so fast. He was just so disappointed that he did not able to receive the gift he desire for a long time. He ran away just to burst out his anger and he never expect that his parents will pursue him. He felt so alone with the guilt and shame of himself. He did not know with whom he would run to so he decided to go back to their house. As he opened the door, he dropped his exhausted body on the couch when a hard thing hurt his back. He found the Bible that he had thrown earlier. He noticed a book mark at the centerfold and words have written on it. As he pulled it out, metallic sound clangs on the floor. He bended to pick the small metal on the foot of the couch and read what was written on the book mark:

Dear son,

Happy Birthday! Together with this book mark is the key of your brand new car. It was parked outside the house. Please take good care whenever you are driving and do not forget to always bring this Bible with you coz we will not always be there to protect you. WE LOVE YOU SON! 

Mom & Dad