19 August 2017

Date: 19 August 2017, Saturday

Mood: Despaired

12 AM: We are awake, which is not unusual. But we are packing clothes, gadgets, electronics, utensils. Today is the day, we will leave this home and move to a different part of the city to a new home. It is something we had to do so that we can be near my sister and take care of my nephew. We are uprooting ourselves. In my 30s I am realising what real sacrifice is.

2 AM: we are still in process. I packed my bags. My neighbour is helping my mother to pack her bags. I am playing music on Spotify in the background. We are chatting with each other so that the work does not become unbearable. Even if it does become overwhelming we do not have an option. Everything needs to be packed.

2:30 AM: we decide to call it a day. My neighbour just left. We decided to sleep for a couple of hours. The Logistic team is going to come by 7:00 in the morning. We hardly have two to three hours to get a shut eye. I slept on my bed and I am thinking that it is my last night in my childhood home. Just the thought brought tears to my eyes. I don't even have 24 hours with my childhood home now.

5:30 AM: after 2 hours of sleep we are awake. We are ready for the Logistic team to arrive.

6:45 AM: The logistics team is here and they have already started working. Me and my mother will be coordinating from the home and my dad is downstairs to ensure that every item is being carried with appropriated care.

8 AM: my neighbour has come back to ask us if we need any help. I tell her that a part from the emotional support nothing is needed right now. She looks at me and smiles. I saw tears welling up in her eyes.

1 PM: I am having my last lunch in my childhood home. I know I may not return here. I am trying to enjoy and relive each moment I get to spend here.

4 PM: the leader of the logistic team told us that they have packed everything and they are ready to move. But I am not yet ready to move. I want to spend some more time here. I want to stay longer. But I know it is not possible.

4:10 PM: while holding back my tears I am booking a cab. My dad would be going with the logistic team, while me and my mother will be joining him at the new home via a cab. I wish that the cab arrives late so that I get to spend more time in my home.

4:30 PM: now it is the time for goodbye. This is making everyone emotional. My mother and my dad had spent over 38 years in this home, it is hard for them to say goodbye. I was born in the hospital that is just a street away. I have been staying in this house since I was 5 days old. I am emotionally attached to this home. It is not a place to me but a companion. Today is the day when I have to bid goodbye to my childhood companion. I closed my eyes and said, "Thank you for everything you have given us. We will forever be grateful to you. I would go anywhere but you will always be the 'home' fot me". I am really sad but I am holding back my tears so that my parents do not get emotional as well. We say our goodbyes and lock the door.

4:35 PM: I said in the cap and when the cap started I turned around. I had one last look at my childhood home. I saw my neighbour wiping off her tears. She too is sad that we are leaving. I silently said my goodbyes again. With tears in my eyes now we are on the highway and on our way to the next destination that we are going to call 'home'. I am already missing my real "home".