The Basement

It has been almost two years since I went to the basement. The truth is I couldn’t bear to think of it anymore. The mere fact of its existence brings fresh memories of that fateful day.I tried my best during the last two years to make it non-existent in my mind but it was of no use.

Today I have to pick up the courage to descend those stairs yet again. I am moving to a new place and have to clear out the basement and take what I require. I don’t think I would take anything though, but I have to look at it one last time.

I reach the end of the stairs and there stands the door, just as it was then. I push the door and it creaks resounding the years it hasn't been opened for. The hall is adorned with spider webs. Coughing slightly, I attempt to wave away the dust with shaking hands.

Suddenly, it comes rushing back to me, his face and the sound of his voice. A cold wave sweeps me in its arms as I feel the same I had that day, when this basement was flooded with feelings, emotions, screams and cries. The day he told me he didn’t love me, never had.

We had been together for five years. It was the most wonderful relationship I had ever experienced. I don’t know what happened that day; I am still clueless. He hadn’t said a word to me earlier, never complained nor fought with me. It came out of the blue. I still remember the day vividly: I had come home after shopping. There he was, sitting on his favorite couch. I went up to him to give him a kiss.

It was then I noticed that something was wrong. He looked at me and I felt as if I was looking into a stranger’s eyes. I had never seen him like this before. He got up, held me by my shoulders, looked right into my eyes and told me the bitter truth. He was moving to California.

I was shattered. I freed myself of his grip and sat down, not believing at first, until I saw his packed suitcase. I screamed at him and called him a bastard. Before I knew it I was crying like a baby. I couldn’t believe it had happened to me. Where had I gone wrong? He went out of the door and there I was, alone, holding myself tight.

I never let go of him. He was still there, in my heart. But today I am seeing this room and him for the last time. Now I have to begin life anew.


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