The Butterfly Maiden

It seems as if News Years was only yesterday; when the days started at 9am and ended at 4pm. Now, the days are much longer than before. I was told that the longest day of the year will be approaching soon.

‘Think its around the 23rd’ said a hallmate a couple of weeks ago. 

Mom told me that once you’ve passed the age of 25, every year seems to go by faster. I think she’s right. This year has gone by way too fast… because wasn’t New Years just yesterday and hadn’t I only started my masters a couple of weeks ago? 

Summer is here. No more classes. No more exams, left my dissertation to write and submit. A 12,000 word long dissertation. When welcoming Summer with open arms, we need to unclench our fists on Spring; to let go and say our goodbyes.

Thursday night was our unofficial and impromptu farewell night, the night before everyone in the hall pack up their rooms to return to their families and hometowns. We were prepared, somewhat, to say goodbye to our short time at the university halls. However, I (don’t know about the others) was caught unaware at the difficulty of saying goodbye to the unexpected family I found here. I’m going to miss my brothers’ amusing alcohol and drug induced antics and the girly talks of boys, makeup, cooking and life with my surrogate sisters. 

Yes, there were times where I wanted to wring their necks. I was mightily furious at their lack of hygiene when using the kitchen and toilets. Also, of times where food mysteriously disappeared. We reckoned that twiddle-Dee and twiddle-Dum was scurrying about our kitchen in our absence. On the other hand, it was only temporary, it was only 8 months. Emotionally tumultuous as it was, I’ve never felt less lonely than when I first arrived. I found a home among strangers in a foreign land.

Can you believe it? Its all over now.

I won’t be at the university for the next academic year, when everyone has moved into their rented homes. The university halls are only for first years and postgraduates. It won’t be the same. But I’m glad. It felt I was given another chance to relive the schooling/university life I’ve never had. 

Though, I wanted to do just this one thing before everyone leaves… to climb onto the roof to watch the sunset. Lacking upper body strength, the boys pulled me up while the girls supported and hoisted my legs, through a trapdoor on the ceiling. It was just past 10pm. We sat up there for a while, enjoying the chill night air, cigarettes and watched the distant orange light slowly fade beyond the horizon. Boy,  was it amazing! My 2MP Sony Ericsson Z610i does not do it justice. 

I survived, with a few bruises and scratches, climbing down from the rooftop with the help of my surrogate siblings. We continued the night’s merriment with more drinking and cheer, till the sky lit up again at 4am. I’m going to miss this dearly. 

But… life goes on, no? Soon, I’ll be stepping into my new life… with much confidence and assurance gained from my short time here. 

I know I’ll never be alone.