He got a transfer, she got excited. And all too soon they were packing their stuff, selling what they didn't want to take, doing their laundry and moving into a hotel. I was determined to spend as much time as I could with them. Took a couple days off work, and managed to spend some quality time with them. The sweetest thing ever, was that they got me a hotel room on Saturday, which I could stay in on Sat, right through till Sunday evening. I couldn't believe my ears! I was all set to camp over on their sofa if need be, and even take the sleeping bag over if I really had to!! The room was a bolt from the blue, completely unexpected. Made me feel a bit bad initially as I figured it would cost them. But after a teeny bit of convincing (of course I didn't need THAT much convincing!! Its a hotel room after all!! and right next to theirs. Ok a few doors down but stilll!!!) I agreed!!!
It was lovely, being able to hang out with them the whole day and then going back to MY room for a shower and to sleep. And yes, that hotel has the Best bed ever!! Pillows that were soft enough to double as clouds and yet not unsupportive, the mattress was firm and yet moulded to your body - and it didn't creak!!! The blankets were warm and soft without being scratchy. It was my dream bed. If I could've, I would've dumped it in my backpack along with the shower gels and body lotions!!

So anyway, I spent a lot of time with them, just window-shopping, eating, hanging out in the room, watching them pack and bicker, all the while just concentrating on the fun we were having, not letting my mind stray to the fact that in a couple of hours they would board a flight that would take them to the other end of the world, not thinking about the fact that the plane would take them away from Sunday lunches at Thai Express, grocery shopping at Cold Storage, TV dinners and squabbles over who should become the American Idol.

At the airport, quite a few people turned up, which didn't please me greatly since I knew the waterworks would promptly turn themselves on when the time came for them to go into Immigration. After a lot of small talk, both of us pretending that nothing out of the ordinary was happening, pretending that this was not a life-changing moment, since after all, despite the years of bickering, hair-pulling and screaming, we had, after all, never been separated before for more than a couple of months.
This move would lead us into yet another chapter in the Days of Our Lives (hehe)

And so after all the small talk, it was finally time to part and it finally registered that they were leaving. After a quick hug and a whispered order to turn up in Canada soon from her, two hugs and an order not to cry from him, they were gone. And the waterworks turned on. In full force. I willed the friends to leave but of course they didn't. There they stood, at least considerate enough to leave me alone, exchanging telephone numbers and promising to call and keep in touch.
So after a short while of sobbing into his shoulder, I rubbed my teary eyes, tried to look as if I hadn't cried at all and went to the group, to say goodbye and leave as soon as I could. But half-way through the hugs and "be strong"s and handshakes (who shakes hands with a friend who's crying because the last of her family's left?!?) the waterworks decided to turn on again and I turned and left as fast as I could.
Was shepherded to Crystal Jade at Holland Village for some comfort food. Ate and slept and felt a bit better in the morning. It took a few days to stop thinking about how we couldn't hang out that weekend, to stop picking up the phone at work to tell her what happened, to realise that I couldn't sms her. Instead I started focusing on the fact that as soon as I could, I'd go to Canada and have more fun with them.

It's been about 2 weeks since they left. I still think about them everyday, but it helps that she emails very frequently. I don't think I'll stop missing them, but I do think I have started accepting the fact that they've embarked on another part of their lives together and wish them all the very best Life has to offer. What I am glad about, also, is that we parted on very good terms, and that I'm left with happy sunshiny memories of the times we've had together, and that the "bitter" ones have faded to the recesses of my mind, where though they still exist, cease to evoke any emotion stronger than a faint amusement.   ¶ 10:16 pm