a stare at the stairs for one last time. they are the stairs that took me to my room for a considerable amount of time. their material, a metal grid. probably better for rainy climates. at the bottom, the foreign world. at the top, a vibrant view of the evening sun.
i take one final trip up. one final look into the corridor. I feel a firm breeze blowing from behind. memories of my time from inside speak to me. the suppers of my beloved friends inside. their bickerings about unwashed dishes. their lowest points. their little jumps of excitement. it gets unbearable. I quickly go inside, drop my final piece excess belonging in the kitchen. I see her for one last time.
I want to just leave it all behind. say that the luggage can stay outside. say that I can catch the next flight. say that I can stay for five more minutes. none of those words come out. only a stare with a bittersweet smile. I catch a similar one on her face. it's too late to risk it now. I take my leave.
while leaving, I stop briefly in front of her door, even though I saw her a moment ago. she is not in there. my mind still latches onto delusions. after a soft sigh, I take the stairs down.
the rest of my life, the outside world, awaits.