GOODBYE.

"Am afraid not."

"This can't be happening now! I need you now more than ever and what do you mean by your time is due? You can stay here as long as you want to! as a matter of facts, you could come stay with us here in the city all you want ... permanently! remember? But you refuse! and I don't even, know, why?" I complained bitterly pouting like a spoilt child.

"There is a time and a place for everything my dear. My work here is done. Someone has to be home to take care of our roots. I am of the old. Of the soil. Of the essence of Life itself! 'she stamped indelibly.' These tall buildings, excessive noise, multitudes of people running rampant; blocks the air ways as well as the flow of energy. In the peaceful quiet of nature, the beauty of blooming Flowers symbolic of hope, the healing strength of the bare Earth do I find home."

"Come on! Grams! Our home is literally a landscape of plants, flowers, herbs trees etc. I must confess, I love the sweet smell of these herbs and so much so they are intoxicating! sometimes I think I'm already in love and that's why I am unable to find anyone. Ha! Ha! Ha!" I confessed Lost In me, sarcastically with a love yearning distant look very well known to grandmother.

"Mmgh!" The old woman contentedly responds throatily knowing it is the trait of a high witch; Keana was transforming into the fitting of her high calling and needed to be at the right place in time, made possible by her Naana to sojourn on her resolution journey. This brought back home grandma's mind after her short self introspection to the discussion.

"That is just by the way though! I mean we literally have what you talk of back in the village right here in this house. Sometimes, I even think we are too crazy for flowers, plants and trees to be an ordinary family but come." I told her as I got up, held her hands and kind of dragged her to the window pane in anxiety to take a view of what I was talking of. Better witnessed than told. Though she was already aware of the compounds landscape, I just wanted to counteract all her flimsy excuses to desert me.

We lived on a mountainous part of the country with breathtaking green scenery being the order. Tall trees nurtured by no one, but by the very capable hands of nature herself. Hills surrounded the location moreover, the settlers did so well to add to what was met, not destroy it. If one was not familiar with the modus operandi here, it will come off as a secret Cults settlement. In shot! the settlement was akin to a modern village. A people faithful to nature but added a little tech to make life easier and fun. Remember your roots they say. How much difference is here? What else does she want added or taken away to make her comfortable here?

"There is much more to what lays bare before thine eyes my child. As it is the end for an old tree? So it i, the flourish season for a morphing plant. I have watched you grown into a wonderful, strong and brave beautiful damsel. There is nothing more I could be proud of than watching you grow. Although, I am yet to have some regrets but unfortunately, it can't be helped. I will be with you always no matter where you are! Don't forget this." She assures me with a profound melancholic facial.

"There you go again with your muffled speeches! And oh! talking of disappointments? Not in my genes Naana! 'I said with perspiring eyes.' You will not regret any of my actions henceforth, if you stayed ... I solemnly pledge." I promised hopelessly to my granny whiles I walked and hugged her from behind saying... "However this goes, you are and will be the best up to beat granny ever!" Giggling, i tightened my embrace on the old but youthful looking woman. (A high witch of the old order! A diviner she was herself, with the power source from nature, agelessness is a blessing that comes along with the power.) It amazing how my age disappoints me when I become such a Whiny big fat old cry baby like this. We select not our attachments indeed! we only bend to the flow. Grandma! The obstinate old girl refutes my pleas vehemently.

"Forget not! nothing you received from my lips baby girl." She cautions.

"You mean all the folklores, superstitions ...Should I continue?" I asked trying to lighten up the mood by playing with my grandma's narratives and inject a little humor into the heavy atmosphere. I had never really believed in the stories my Naana told me after an age of reasonable thinking. I believed they were merely made up bed time stories my Grandma conjured to put me to sleep and at peace which later become a norm in soothing my restlessness. It kind of became therapeutic so to speak. It calmed my psychological storms. Although, some parts were scary but undoubtedly I enjoyed it to my own surprise and my Naana's indifference. I always battled the fright by seeing myself as the heroine, strong, sassy, fearless, capable and formidable as my granny made me therein the stories; which solved that aspect. Smart! Ha? Yes! I am darn brilliant! As for my attachment to the story? I don't have a drop of clue as to why. Yet it never gets old or boring ever, instead it ignites this fire within me.

A car honks outside the house indicating the arrival of Grandma's ride to the transit bus station. 'Wow! She meant business sadly. She had already ordered a lift out of here. She possibly couldn't wait to raid herself off me!' Bannered my brain sourly. I knew my negative thoughts had no grounds where Maama was concerned but just anything as justification for me right now will do.

"That's my cue! my lady." She says bowing slightly. The flicker of light within me died out leaving an icy feeling in it stead. Immediately the drainage system of heavens were opened in my eyes. I could not help the flooding down pour.

"No! Grandma." I sobbed in static whispers. She only responded with a beautiful peaceful smile with an affectionate look and that was the moment I caught it. Naana's eyes! Holy crap! Her eyes were like mine! wait a sec. did I just have another illusion or did I see? Because, they are as normal as ever now. I don't know ... well! so did I think. I think, I need a break from all these bereaved emotions. This separation is taking it toll on me and I don't fucking know why? It's not like she wasn't coming back again although it feels like a fare well. Moreover, I don't remember being this way with my parents when they were about to go on their trips. I'd rather be like 'yeah! just go on already!' than wanting to glue myself to them! which I guess is abnormally crazy and that shows how messed up I am. Congratulations Kea! you not normal and that's a certified fact. Seriously, I need to pull myself together, get my head out of the mud before I lose my darn mind and end up in a psychic ward. Nevertheless, I can't help this feeling of desperation running the course of my being. If only I could make her stay just a little longer, besides my craze of a day was not even defined this time.

"Meaning will come at it appropriate time. Everything you see is real. Good bye, my lady." I heard her faintly in the wake of my arousing from my mental grave as if she could hear my thoughts. She was at the door already. Click the door handle rebounded through the fully packed house as if an empty store room. It may as well be likened to the emptiness within me. She was out of the door and I was now truly alone in the humongous mansion. How could it be good bye? When I am torn apart! Left Hallow inside. I tried to take a step, to go after her; try one more time to advocate her linger awhile! I was not giving up easily as well! If she was adamant? I am of her blood! stubborn! as much ... only to realize my leg's jelly State. My own body even supported her against me! Ha! Ha! Ha! 'i laugh hysterically alongside tears.'

When to part, to meet again! become to meet no more!

To one death is an ene, to another it is the beginning.

Death calls upon many things when it visits! more prominent sorrows to loved ones, but to Keana? It beckoned more than just that. It was the beginning of the discovery of herself in full exposure. The awakening of her might within beside friends and foes.