It has been a while since we last talked, and we had parted on slightly disagreeable terms. Jane had packed her bags and tucked them neatly in one corner. I tried to stop her, but she kissed me farewell and moved out. The red and white strip marked cab parked outside on our worn-out pavement, its engine revving, waiting to carry her off.

Deep in my heart, 💖 I knew she had gone forever. She was the best companion I ever had. I watched the yellow-blackish weaverbirds constructing their grass-thatched nests on our bamboo stems we had planted ten years ago, which triggered warm memories. Why did I let her go?

Jane and I had had few fights, but we had mended fences, and moved on. Our love was the envy of our close friends. We were the most adorable couple after high school. For fourteen years, we had lived together, listened to the same music, bathed together, we had cried together when we lost our respective parents.

Since Jane left, my life had taken a wrong turn. I spent several hours in pubs, drinking and lounging lazily with friends. Every evening, I returned to an empty house, drunk and exhausted.

Last night as I returned late from work, I saw something peculiar. The lights in the kitchen were on, and I smelled sweet-spicy foods cooking. I opened the cranky door stealthily, hoping to surprise Jane, but alas, she was not there in the kitchen. The pots on the stove simmered, releasing more aromas of sweetness. I trotted to the balcony, then the bedroom and ended in the garage. Jane was not there! Was I dreaming? I sat quietly on my reclining chair and nursed a whisky on rocks, and waited.

A door chime startled me, and I jumped to my feet as the door opened. Suki stood in the doorway holding a basket of fresh vegetables and fruits. She pressed the basket and her pink handbag on the coffee table and walked toward me. I gave her a peck on the cheek, and we hugged. Suki sensed my disappointment, she squeezed my hand and then released it.

She peeped into the kitchen to check on the food. Suki was my younger sister. I guess mother had sent her to check on me. She had found the house in a terrible mess. Now, every item and utensil in my dingy house speckled.

Fresh white-and-crimson flowers sat in a porcelain vase, and it was a birthday present that Jane had bought for me. I plucked out one red flower stem and smelt it. I closed my eyes momentarily, savouring its delicate fragrance.

"Dinner is ready," Suki called out in the kitchen. "Take a quick shower, and we eat dinner. I cooked your favourite spicy meatballs, chicken wings dipped in soy sauce, spaghetti, and baked potatoes sauted in garlic and butter!."

"Wow! Thanks, baby sister! " I replied excitedly. I had not eaten a decent meal since Jane left. I kicked off my dark tan leather shoes and stood up.

I placed my whisky glass on the side-board. Jane's portrait stared at me, her big oval eyes smiling. I smiled back, and I raised my glass again to her and mumbled to myself, "We will be together again. You will see!".

My head felt light now. I opened my bedroom door and undressed slowly. The bathroom door was ajar. Jane's delicate perfumes permeated to me like the whiff of grey smoke on a starry night. Tears trickled down my cheeks and chin. I gasped sub-consciously, "why did you have to go?". I felt the sharp, coarse stubble with my right hand and realised I hadn't shaved for weeks.


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