Chapter 17

Helena cried until she lost her voice. She kept bugging me, saying that she didn't agree to the break-up and wanted to leave with me. I couldn't win against her, so I eventually gave in. She hugged me tightly, full of joy as if she'd just found something she'd lost. I just allowed myself to enjoy this final hug from her, albeit bitterly. Early in the morning, on a certain day, I quietly packed up my things and looked at Helena for the final time before opening the front door. She was still fast asleep and didn't hear a thing. I said my goodbyes to her very quietly and finally gave one last emotional look around the place I used to call home for many years. If things went well, this would be the very last time I'd ever see it again. I'd decided to stay abroad as a permanent resident after leaving this time. I hailed a cab to the airport by myself and sat at the gate, waiting to board the plane. I kept getting text messages on my phone, and they were all from Helena. "Where are you