Aisling [A one shot collection]

Homecoming

Mia | Ryan

The drizzling is soaking the crumbled leaves spread on the ground indicating a heavy downpour will soon follow. The falling shower of the heavenly drops feels like tiny diamonds embracing the tall worn out yet majestic building. A rare combination of fading red bricks which clearly gives an idea it has seen many generations growing up, spreading their wings and flying away.

Royal Academy.

The place which was a home to me for all my teenage years. Seeing it now under the blanket of rain has evoked a plethora of nostalgia inside me. The water is running down the windshield of my car in narrow streaks making the far away city lights look blurry.

Isn't life the same? You are living your normal monotonous routine chasing the very lights and then all of a sudden a forlorn memory hits you so hard that everything that's right in front of you takes a back seat leaving you lost in the familiar memory lanes. That's what happened with me.

As I open the door my hand clutch the umbrella tight to not ruin my dress I specifically bought for this event. The urge to just throw it away and dance in the rain to my heart's content is appealing but now's not the time.

My heels scrap against the cool marble floor and suddenly I'm reminded of those worn out sneakers which were a part of my personality all those year back. Change is not always good but it's always necessary.

Few familiar faces come into my view. Five long years can definitely change so much and that's what's happening here but the happiness written on our faces is something we all have in common.

I keep on walking with a confidence which was never in me before. No one would've thought that weirdo always on a run to hide in the crowd clutching her baggy shirts in her fists could turn out to be joining the glamour world. I can't blame them. Sometimes I amaze myself too. Stopping by the large wooden doors I glance inside. A throng of people are right in front of my eyes dancing, drinking enjoying this night with each other.

I have an idea very few people here know me. But that doesn't make me uncomfortable anymore like it used to before. There was a time I used to think someone's company is necessary to make you feel welcomed but it took me some time to understand the only company that matters is your own self's. I smile making my way towards the bar. Gone is the girl who used to think getting wasted will put a mark on her clear record. I'm a light weight and that's not gonna stop me from drinking.

But my feet stop in their tracks looking at the people lounging on the couch to the right. Sam, Julian, Cassy, Barbara and Ryan. Aka the golden gang of our batch.

I feel like all this is happening in slow motion. The images of the football team having a gala time here swirl before my eyes making my breath hitch in my throat. It seems like a box of precious memories has been thrown open playing in front of me like an old reel. The whole football team has pulled a dark hair guy on their shoulders to celebrate an epic win. There are just smiles everywhere. My own is one of those. But most captivating one is of that guy only who's trying his best not to fall making a fool out of himself in front of whole school body.

It feels like all the bottled up emotions to the far corners of my heart are bursting out like a tornado, Erupting out from my every pore claiming its right on my soul like it always belonged here. That old age butterflies and erratic heart beats are back. Thanks to the same dark haired guy sitting in the far corner of the couch laughing at something his friends have said.