And there she stood, looking at her empty closet. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But an empty space is a reminder that life must go on. She was disheartened to let go of the times she had spent here, the memorable moments, the peek-a-boo games and the ‘treasure’ it held for all these years.
He nudged her, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t. It was getting late, because now it really was time to go. She wanted time to just freeze, where she could capture her entire childhood, youth, in just those moments.
It felt like only yesterday, when she had created havoc in the house of why she should be given a room of her own. She was a big girl. She refused to eat, to go to school and even talk to anyone till her wishes were even considered. Saddened by the fuss created, one morning her father came to talk to her. She looked the other way, her nose high and, to create more effects, eyes with flood holding the barrier as hard as possible, slightly sniffing. What a drama queen she was! He finally gave in to her demands. She gave him the brightest smile she could, and he held her hand finally getting her out of her cocoon. She could shift into the guest bedroom, till it had no occupants. It never did! Having her tantrums finally paying off, she set off to announce to the whole world of her new achievement.
Thus began her love for privacy, secrecy and those locked doors gossips, which she shared with her girlfriends. Her room was like a Pandora box, burst open. It had all the colors and shades of Vibgyor; posters of her favorite singers; glowing stars to a fancy entrance to the bathroom. The entrance to her bathroom felt like walking the red carpet. Her closet was nicely done up with all partitions having their specifics- a shelf for pants, skirts, tops, separate drawer for her jewellery, make-up, electronics, oof!
She lived in and out of those memories, in such a short span, where the flood of thoughts were unstoppable. This time he held her hand, taking her out of her reverie. This time the tears did not stop.
She turned back and hugged him and cried, till she was gasping for breath. He let her tears out, and when she finally was done with her waterworks, he told her, she was ready now.
He wiped off her expensive mascara smudged-eyes, told her to give him that smile back, which she had given him years ago. Having dealt with loss and separation, he knew this would be the hardest. But it was time for her to leave, for a new life, a new home, a new beginning.
She moved towards the threshold and one glance back, she took a deep breath and walked confidently.
She had lived and loved her past, independent yet comfortable. But now she was walking into another phase of her life, leaving her nest behind.
He let her hand slip away after he had escorted her down the aisle.