Last look

It’s to the House, Ashok’s House, in that dilapidated, weather beaten building, inside one of the many lanes of Matunga that we three bid a final goodbye to.

I had to be there today, for the last time, to devour every corner until it filled up the memory space, to inhale the feel that prevailed within the four walls, to touch the dusty pillows, the colour-worn covers of the couch, the bean bag.

Its in this house that I have spent some good times, it is this house that’s a trunk of memoirs, a place that had become my comfort zone, where I could enter and exit without being questioned, for, it was my friends dwelling, in which lifetime worth memories are residing.
The ease with which time glided there; with people I love, all there, under one roof, of that house. Sound of laughter, voices near and dear, warmth of people who make my world, it was experienced, all, in that house. A chapter in my life had started its first page there, round the park, under the lamp post I had heard those words, most treasured words, today only words left with me.

I had celebrated my happiness in that haven, I had cried over my loss on that floor, I had seen a bond grow there, I had let myself just be there.

With a heavy heart I stepped outside the threshold, leaving behind me a canvas full of colours of yesterday, facing my back to the closed chapter, to the most beautiful pages of my life. The windows tightly shut, room bare without its belongings, lights switched off, an entire lifetime within the expanse of life was going to be locked and sealed for good now.

I thought I would return the duplicate keys to Ashok, but could not get myself to do that, that bunch stays with me, without any purpose, without any need, for, it was the last, you gave me. It rained outside, dark and heavy and we carried the burden, of the luggage, of the heart, back home…

'Something’s are over, something’s stay on,

Some people walk out forever, some live on,

Some moments are best forgotten, some linger on,

Some images slowly dissolve, some of them grow on,

Some lights go dim until they die, some shine on….'

PS: ‘shok! This ones for you- The many times I’ve sworn bitter at you for not keeping the house clean, the many requests you made to make it clean, moments when we have laughed sans reason, once when standing at the kitchen sink, amused by how deprived it has been of a good wash, it was all so simple, it was the best time ever.