It was that time again of the year were we all gathered as a family in a house I grew up in. The tradition has been going ever since I was young. A long table was on the garden which occupied my uncles, aunts and my cousins and I always hated the 5th of October, it was a moment where people looked down on each other for example my parents are well known scientist who look down on one of my aunt who is a baker and well don’t get me started on parents comparing their kids and as to which kid is achieving more or is better than another.

I sat quietly almost invisible as everyone chatted, there was nothing my parents were proud of when it came to me, you would swear I was the unwanted child and I stopped long time ago seeking their approval so I sort of accepted that I will never be good enough when it came to my parents, unlike my younger sister Caroline, she was everything I wasn’t.

She’s beautiful, has a job as an accountant, even though she makes mistakes my parents seem oblivious on that fact and she is dating this guy who is an engineer.

As much as my younger sister got all the attention I once craved, I never envied her after all it was not her fault that my parents wanted nothing to do with me.

My name is Rose and I am 28 years, I am not drop dead gorgeous. I am thin, you might swear I am starving myself, I wear size 26 sometimes 28 and I work at a café.

“Yeah, I was promoted to a manager position last week.” My cousin Chantel says in a more chirper voice, and soon they all talk about how amazing their lives are.

At this moment I wished someone would come and put a bullet between my eyes just to take me out of my misery.

“What about you Rose?” I look up from my plate of steak and corn, the whole table went quiet as they all looked at me, great I thought and shrugged “Nothing interesting just same old.” I stated.

“You still work at that coffee shop?” Tshepo asks in a disgusted tone.

I nod not bothering to correct him as I am ready to end all of this conversation. “Shame, must be real sad being you huh.” one of my cousin said, I did not bother answering and soon everyone carried on with their conversations.

Underneath the table Caroline squeezed my hand, I smiled a little towards her direction knowing that at least she is here for me.