Not long ago, I'd look out of my window at night, my wondering eyes stuck on the vast sky. The changing hues and endless horizon called to me, filling my heart with both hope and longing. Growing up in the beautiful town of Chester, where my family still resides, I often wondered if I would ever leave to chase the life I truly wanted. The idea of exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing the world beyond my window thrilled me, yet the fear of stepping into the unknown lingered. But here I am now, realizing that dreams do come true.

  The graduation day was a blend of emotion, achievement, and excitement, marking the end of an intense journey and the beginning of a new chapter in all our lives. The day dawned bright and clear, a perfect backdrop for the bittersweet ceremony that marked the end of an era. I stood in wearing the cap and gown, surrounded by my friends and Alex every one sharing in the pride and joy of the achievements The auditorium buzzed with anticipation as we gathered, clad in our caps and gowns, each of us reflecting on the countless hours of study, sleepless nights, and challenging exams that had led us to this moment. The ceremony began with speeches from our professors, who shared words of wisdom and encouragement, reminding us of the immense responsibility that lay ahead. As our names were called, one by one, we walked across the stage to receive our degrees, our hearts pounding with pride and joy.

  “Dr. Lily Jones” The dean's secretary called my name to come on stage and accept the degree.

  I rose gracefully, my lilac gown flowing elegantly to the floor. The soft fabric shimmered under the lights, accentuating the delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves that added a touch of class to my look. As I stepped onto the stage, my breath hitched in my throat. The weight of the degree in my hands was more than just a certificate; it was a testament to every sacrifice, every struggle, and every dream that had led me here. Applause erupted, cheers ringing through the auditorium. It was surreal.

  After the ceremony, we gathered outside for photos, hugging one another and tossing our caps into the air with a mix of relief and euphoria. As the sun began to set, we headed to a nearby venue for the after-party. Not everyone was ready for the after party; many people had already gone since they were exhausted and had a trip the next day back to their homes. It was me, Alex, Emily, Thomas, Stephen, Billy, and some more mutual friends. We danced, sang, and laughed, sharing stories of our clinical rotations, late-night study sessions, and unforgettable moments that had bonded us together. The night continued with heartfelt toasts, tears of joy, and promises to keep in touch, knowing that although our paths might diverge, the friendships and memories we created would forever be etched in our hearts. The night was truly unforgettable. Around 9 PM, the rest of us made our way to our respective apartments. I collapsed onto my bed, asleep within minutes, still wearing my makeup from the night.

  The next morning, I felt exhausted from the party the night before and spent most of my time in bed, scrolling through photos and videos from the event. I decided I'd stick around with Alex more as, soon we both were heading back to our homes.

  Falling in love with Alex during college had been unexpected but beautiful. Alex was tall, with a lean frame that gave him an athletic appearance. His skin had a warm, rich tone, a bit dark, which added to his striking look. His face was framed by a short beard, neatly trimmed.

  He wasn’t the kind of person who made grand entrances or tried to stand out. His charm was in his quiet confidence, his kindness that never felt forced, and the way he made people feel seen and heard. He had an easy-going demeanor, never one to impose himself on others, but he carried a quiet strength that made him dependable. He was the kind of person who found joy in the little things—a well-brewed cup of coffee, a subway burger, the sound of rain tapping against the window, the comfortable silence between two people who understood each other completely.

  We had been together for seven years, navigating the highs and lows of young love. We had our share of fights—two ambitious hearts clashing, neither willing to compromise on their dreams—but we always found our way back to each other. He had been my rock, my greatest cheerleader, the person who saw me at my worst and never turned away. But as graduation loomed closer, so did the reality of our diverging paths.

  It was a period when we wanted to concentrate on our careers; Alex wanted to pursue postgraduate studies, but I wasn't ready for that—I wanted to gain more clinical experience. That's why we were heading to different places. We tried several times to plan things accordingly, but each time it resulted in a fight. Because we were both highly enthusiastic about our respective careers and could not compromise, we were unable to reach an agreement. So, in the end, we decided on a long-distance relationship, something both Alex and I were nervous about. We only had a few days left together, and we really wanted to make the most of them and create some lasting memories. But beneath it all, an unspoken sadness lingered. We knew things would never be the same.

  I was feeling pretty emotional during that time, often getting teary-eyed just thinking about how we were going our separate ways and wouldn’t be able to see each other for a while.

  The thought of the distance and the different paths our lives were taking was haunting me, along with all the memories we had shared. There was this one moment in my life when I felt really scared of “change”. I was soo into my college life and the thought of everything shifting freaked me out. I guess I wasn't ready to be on my own or handle things by myself. Initially My family and later friends had always been there for me, and I relied on them a lot. I truly loved each one of them and i didn’t want anyone to leave; I just wished things could stay the same. In the end It made me realize I might have been a bit spoiled and over-pampered girl and I convinced myself that It was the moment I had to part ways and focus on my own journey.

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  The next evening, I met Emily for coffee at our usual spot. As I walked through the narrow passageway of George Street, nostalgia hit me like a wave. I had dreamed of this moment for years—graduating, moving on, stepping into my future—but why did it feel so heavy?

  “Where the hell were you?” Emily's voice jolted me back to reality.

  I turned to find her scowling at me, hands on her hips.

  “I’m sorry, I lost track of time,” I said, grinning sheepishly.

  “Yeah, like always,” she huffed before leading the way to the cafe.

  Emily and I met around 7 years ago in the middle of the hallway of our college. The first time we looked at each other as if we were enemies. We did not like each other at the beginning, but as time passed, we got to know each other, and with familiarity came habit, we eventually became a part of each other’s lives. Since then, she has never let me down in any way. She was undeniably cute, with a chubby frame that added to her charm, though she would never quite agree with that description. Her cheeks were round and soft, with a natural blush that gave her a youthful, almost doll-like appearance. When she smiled, her whole face lit up, her cheeks dimpling in a way that made it impossible not to smile back. She had a way of carrying herself with confidence, never letting her height or her chubby frame define her. If anyone dared to call her "short," she would laugh it off or argue with a teasing grin. Though she was not that chubby, I liked to tease her.

  Thomas, on the other hand, had a knack for making others laugh, turning even the dullest moments into something playful. He had a way of making even the most ordinary situations feel like an adventure, always finding the humor in things and never taking life too seriously. They made a lovely couple.

  They are the only ones I can truly count on after Alex, the ones who have been with me through thick and thin. Yes, we had our moments of ups and downs, but in the end, we were always there for each other.

  “What’s wrong with your face?” Thomas looked at me and started laughing.

  He always had a habit of teasing me.

  I asked him curiously, "What's wrong with my face?" and “What happened?”

  His smile reached into his eyes and said I was joking, stupid girl. Duhh!

  Going out for coffee in the evening was our cherished ritual, a sacred. The three of us—Emily, Thomas, and I—found solace in the warm, aromatic embrace of our spot “Café de Flore” in a cozy corner, we'd talk for hours, our laughter mingling with the hum of conversation around us. Each cup of coffee was more than just a drink; it was a symbol of our bond. In those moments, we were more than just friends; we were a family, united by our shared journey and the deep, genuine affection that only the closest of companions can know. After hanging out for a few hours, we made our way back to the apartment.

  The weeks following graduation were a whirlwind of packing, farewells. Each evening spent with Alex and friends felt more precious than the last. We revisited our favourite spots, reminisced about our experiences, a bit of crying now and then. the atmosphere charged with the weight of impending separation. Tears mingled with laughter as we reminisced about our shared past, each story a testament to the unbreakable bond we had formed. Amid the hugs and heartfelt goodbyes, we made promises to stay in touch, our voices tinged with both hope and uncertainty about the future. Yet, in our hearts, we knew that no matter the distance, our friendship would endure, strengthened by the love and memories we held dear and made promises to stay in touch. But deep down, we all knew that life was pulling us in different directions. Seven years had slipped through our fingers like grains of sand, each moment blending seamlessly into the next. It was astonishing how swiftly time had passed, filled with the relentless pace of our medical careers, the joys and trials of new friendships, and the evolution of our lives. Our shared memories, once the vivid centerpieces of our days, had become cherished photographs in the albums of our minds. Now, as we stood on the brink of yet another transition, it was clear that it was time to move on once more. The realization hit us with a bittersweet clarity—we had grown, changed, and lived so much, yet the bond we formed in those formative years remained an unspoken constant, quietly enduring as we faced the future.

  On my final night in the city, I met my friends at the café one last time. The atmosphere was tinged with melancholy, the usually vibrant conversations subdued by the weight of the impending goodbye.

  “We’ll miss you, Lily,” Anna said softly, her voice breaking. “It won’t be the same without you.”

  I swallowed hard, fighting back my own tears. “I’ll miss you all too. So much. But this isn’t goodbye forever. We’ll find ways to stay connected.”

  Thomas nodded, his expression serious. “Promise you’ll come back to visit?”

  “I promise,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion.

  Emily’s hugged me tightly and said, “I am gonna miss you the most.”

  We hugged and sobbed for a while till we left. I walked to my apartment sobbing, attempting to record every moment that my eyes saw in that beautiful city to try to save it in my memory. I was packing my suitcases when I discovered my diary. My six-year diary, in which I wrote about everything. I didn't want to carry it because I thought I couldn't bear the weight of these great memories on my own. I tore it and cried constantly for another hour.

  The next morning, at 4 AM, I finally understood: letting go isn’t always a loss. Sometimes, it’s just making space for something new.

  I don't know what my future holds, and I've always struggled to make good decisions for my life, so I just accept whatever God has in store for me. And this time also maybe something better is there for me and that is why I have to let it go.

  The next morning, my car was packed with the belongings, the trunk bags with gifts and memories of 6 years, and some of my things. As I stood by the car, ready to embark on the new journey, all of my friends gathered around for one final hug.

  “Take care, Lily,” Emily whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’ll always be here for you.”

  My heart ached at her words, but I knew that I had to move forward. I hugged her tightly, savouring the moment. “I know. And thank you.”

  We held onto the hope that we could make our future work with the same bonds.

  I got into the car I took one last look at the place that had shaped me, and started the engine. As I drove away, the city blurred in my rearview mirror, fading into the past, while the road ahead stretched into the unknown.

  And with that, the next chapter of my life began.