A Sad Grave Of Friendship

The sun was sinking behind the purple mountains in the far west. The rays of the setting sun were diffused by the thick clouds creating a beautiful art of nature in the sky. A stream of sweat ran on my forehead as I walked hastily, nearing my destination. An occasional breeze of cold wind kept me accompanied as I got closer to my destination.

As I reached the edge of the town, a murder of crows took off from a nearby tree. I stopped and looked across the surrounding. Few years have passed since the last time I stepped foot on this ground. I used to spend a lot of time here with my dearest friends. This place stored beautiful memories of moments we spent together. I took out a bottle of water from my backpack, drank a bit and splashed some on my face.

From where I stood, I could see the familiar row of houses lining the street which ran across the town. Those were the houses where my friends lived and that was the street we walked together. I really missed them and just can't wait to meet them again. I glanced at my watch and quickly walked on. Chills of excitement started to run over my skin.

As I got nearer to the houses, I noticed that the place had changed much. The houses looked old and pale. There wasn't anymore of those gardens of flowers that cheered up the town. It was plain and dull. I saw no one in the street. Apart from the noise of dogs barkings off in the distance, only silence welcomed me.

The sun had almost set when I stood at the doorstep of the nearest house. It was the first house in the left row. The doors and windows were closed and the entrance floor was dusty. There didn't seem to be any sign of light in the house. I pressed the doorbell and waited but there was no answer. I pressed it again, and still no one appeared. I waited for a few more minutes before I finally gave up. I knocked the door of a few more houses where my other friends lived but I found nothing but disappointment.

What has happened? Have I been away for too long?

I leaned myself against a lamp-post and threw an empty look towards the far horizon as the evening grew darker. Occassionally, I saw people walking in the street but I did not recognize any of them. I stood there and waited for a couple of minutes with a confused mind and finally decided to walk to a tavern nearby where my friends and I used to hang out in the evenings of the good old days. The exterior of the tavern was lighted with bright neon lamps. I went close to the window and saw quite a crowd of people in it.

I walked in and sat at a corner. My eyes rolled from one end to another, trying to spot familiar faces among the crowd but again, I found nothing but disappointment. I did not recognize any of them. They were a new set of people altogether. I tried to greet and talk to some of them but apparently, they were not keen to talk to strangers. They were not so polite either.  They were not as friendly as the people who used to fill this place with colours of friendship and gratitude.

Where are they? What happened to them?

Still confused with the situation, I walked out of the tavern. The night was drizzling and the moon was behind the thick black rain clouds. I stood in the darkness gazing into the rain. Sadness and regret rushed into my heart. The silent of the night added to my sorrow. The gentle breeze that accompanied the rain failed to cheer me up.

I should have visited my friends more often. If I were here earlier, I would have met them before they left.

As I stared deep into the night, I realized that I had failed to appreciate friendship. I was too busy, lost in the wave of time. Time had passed and things never last forever. I took a deep breath and stepped into the darkness. I walked in the bitter rain without a clear direction, leaving the sweet memories of the past to rest in peace in this little town, buried deep in the grave of time.


(Photography by Moori)