Books Birthday girl by Haruki Murakami (Author)

"Birthday Girl" by Haruki Murakami is a short story centered on an unnamed young woman working as a waitress on her twentieth birthday. Due to the restaurant manager falling ill unexpectedly, she is asked to deliver dinner to the reclusive owner of the restaurant who lives on the sixth floor. The owner, an enigmatic elderly man, invites her in and, upon learning it is her birthday, offers to grant her one wish.

The story never reveals what her wish was, nor whether it truly came true. Years later, the woman reflects on her life—married with children and driving an Audi—without regret over her wish. When asked if she would wish something different, she deflects and suggests that people ultimately are who they are meant to be, regardless of their wishes.