This was not the first time that I sat with him.
How many times had we sat on the fresh green carpet in nature’s lap leaning against the tree overlooking the pond? Countless.
Yet, something was different today.
He dint forget to greet me by my nickname.
Yet, something was different today.
I punched on his tummy like I always did when I greeted him.
Yet, something was different today.
He dint forget to bring my favorite chocolate and cream donuts. It has been a ritual.
Yet, something was different today.
I mumbled how good they tasted while I dug into the donuts and even dropped a few crumbs all over my dress, while the chocolate syrup stuck around my chin and cheeks as usual.
Yet, something was different today.
I bent my head to lean onto his shoulder, like I always did when something troubled me.
Yet, something was different today.
His head dint lean back on mine. Neither did he brush away the crumbs off my face.
Nothing had changed over the past 14 years. We came here every Sunday. This was our spot. The tree by the pond. We discovered it ages ago and we had even made our mark on the bark of the tree as kids. Every single tree in this park, every blade of grass, ever petal of the flowers, and every ripple in the pond knew us.
But today, they seemed to alienate us. Like they were mourning something.
The pond was still. It was very different. I threw a pebble into the water trying to disturb its penance, trying to make it look normal, trying to set everything right.
And I heard those words “Alicia, I am leaving for university tomorrow. I won’t promise that I will keep in contact because over the time I might not be able to. I won’t promise that I will be there for you always because I might not be able to be there for you when you need me. I won’t promise that I will come back for you because I might change. I won’t promise to address you as a hedgehog whenever I see you because I might see you as a lady, almost a stranger a few years from now. I won’t promise something I won’t be able to keep up. All I promise is to hold your memories close to my heart, for you have been my best friend over the years.”
But he hadn’t uttered a single word.
The only sound was the plopping pebbles in the pond emanating cascading golden ripples by the setting sun.
He wrapped my hand around his like countless other times.
Yet, something was different today. Or maybe forever !
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P.S : Inspired from a real place but a slightly different context :)
Pic courtesy : weheartit.com
