I was a master at goodbyes until I met you
Monday in Chandigarh, Tuesday in Shimla, Thursday in Manali
On Saturday I am back at my house for a couple of hours
Before catching the 11 PM flight to Dubai.
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On Monday, I meet M, my childhood best friend, who is now a chef at a 5 star gourmet restaurant.
We chat about misadventures in love and life, gossip about classmates who got married
And then bid hurried goodbyes with soon to be forgotten promises to call each other more often
Because I need to catch 5 AM Kalka-Shimla Heritage.
/
At 2 PM, I meet my fellow group travelers from Dublin, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Fatehpur Sikri.
We talk and eat and shop and breathe and pretend to care about each other’s corporate/marriage/parenthood/migration dreams
Before saying goodbye with a practiced ease.
/
The only time I falter in my mastered art of saying goodbye
Is when it’s time to board the bus back to my town from Manali.
The tear in the corner of my eye is a surprise for both you and I
And you continue to linger in every sunset I chase in Dubai and Kausani and Mumbai.
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I was a girl who was too good at goodbyes,
Until you turned my goodbye into later and soon
And now I say ‘I am going back HOME’.
-Armaan
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Photo by Storiès on Unsplash
About the poet: Armaan Rai is a poet who writes about nature, moments and memories, and nostalgia. She uses simple words and phrases to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around her. She believes that poetry is a powerful tool for expressing emotions and connecting with others. She started this blog, Oregano Oranges, as a way of connecting with other poets and readers. She wanted to create a space where she could share her work, learn from others, and get an opportunity to touch someone’s heart.
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