Yesterday was the day everything changed. But before I delve into that, I should give some fillers, so that you understand better. The lady has been my constant friend these two years. She went out a lot, maybe due to work, which was an ideal time to watch her, go up to her and get patted every so often. Her family never came close to me though, one of them even seemed afraid of me. I couldn’t fathom why. I never understood what they actually said, but I could detect a slight change in their tone upon seeing me. Hers though, was as happy and adorable as ever. The days I saw her, energized me.

One day she came home with a few strangers. One of them, a man of her age, was talking to her in hushed tones and looked very much nervous. I didn’t know if approaching them would be a good idea. Not all people were kind to dogs after all. I barked at her from a distance and she threw a glance at me, waved and entered her building with them. That’s strange, I thought. She didn’t even smile. Ergo, something was wrong. I went to the back of her building and saw figures moving through the windows of their first floor apartment. Her family were showing those strangers around their home. The lady reappeared, smiling, leaning against a wall. I was thoroughly confused. Who were these people?

She and that man came to the balcony a short while later, talking excitedly, it seemed. The man wasn’t nervous anymore, and was looking around the balcony for the first time, when he spotted me right below. The man didn’t smile and looked at her enquiringly. She then started explaining something to him, probably about me and what a big part I play in her life: her good friend and lookout. As time passed, his face grew more surprised and by the end, he looked at me again and went inside.

Five minutes later, the two of them emerged on the road and she called me to her. Determined to find out once and for all the cause of this surprise intrusion in her life, I approached them with caution. Now both of them were smiling. I was apprehensive, to be honest. This was a totally unknown person in front of me, and trusting the unknown has always been a mistake in my experience. He beckoned me closer, she did too. I carefully went up to her, only to be hugged and patted by both of them. It was at that moment, the truth hit me: he might be a stranger to me, but definitely not a stranger to her. They were together, and the people I saw with him were probably his family.

This was an awkward phase in my life… I had never considered the possibility there might be someone else with her, apart from me. I sensed their relationship was somewhat different than ours, but that didn’t leave me completely satisfied. Why hadn’t she told me this before? Oh right, because of stupid language barrier. I was inwardly cursing myself for being such a fool! Shouldn’t I have considered that she might want a mate for herself eventually? I understood that desire. She has found hers, whereas I was still looking. I still am.

Yesterday was the culmination of all those things. From a week before that, many people were coming and going from their apartment for what seemed like a festive moment in their lives. Then for two days there was no one present in that apartment. Didn’t feel right. She didn’t return to her home after that. It was intensely frustrating and worrying, because no one except her even looked at me twice in that locality or tell me what is going on. Finally, breaking all suspense, she returned yesterday, but she looked different. It was very mysterious, the whole affair. I was happy and tensed at the same time. My stomach somersaulted for a few times when I saw her through the windows, bawling her eyes out! Her mother was hugging and consoling her, which was obviously pointless. Concerned, I saw my immediate need and rushed up to the very front of their building, waiting for her to come out.

She did come out, with loads of people with her. A car was waiting outside. Before she could go again, I barked out and went to her. Several people were apalled on seeing me and tried to shoo me away, but she came up to me without hesitation. Her eyes were glistening, but the beautiful playful smile on her lips was the same. Then she hugged me dearly, got up and walked towards the car. Until then, i hadn’t noticed the beautiful flowing blue dress she was wearing, which suited her perfectly. With a moment of trepidation, I felt as though she was moving away from her home. It pained like hell right then. It wasn’t right. Both of us were unhappy, so why did she have to move? Nothing made sende. Just before entering the car, she turned to me and waved goodbye with a smile that instantly reached her beautiful eyes. I was mesmerised. This I knew, I will never forget in my whole life. At that moment I realised she was willingly moving on with her life, and as much as it pained me, I had to do the same.

I will never forget the lady. I don’t know if she will be back again…today I peered through their windows and all the guests seemed to have left. This whole locality feels empty without her. Today, I realise that I never felt like a stray dog when I was with her. I know now that I love her very much. Sad that I can never tell her that, but something tells me she already knows. If she ever needs me, I’ll never leave her side.

Fiction written by @ria1606roy

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