Neena Szulikowska

I strutted my way to the front door with my phone in my hand. I pressed the 'answer' button twice. "The Queen Neenja" as I had affectionately put her name in my contacts. As I went down the stairs, she answers the call.

I was still expecting the same answer from what I got the night before. It changed because I wasn't the first that got through. It's all good. I made her change mind before, I can still do it. Packed with only 90 cents, I know I should be making it swift.

As the conversation went on, it became apparent of what I should do. I am going to actually let go. This girl that I've majestically admired to the furthest reaches of heaven itself. This girl that is close to perfection as the gap between atoms in a solid particle. This girl that triggered a feeling inside of me as instantly as our eyes met. I am going to end it.

I ran out of credit. Emergency credit were used then.

The fact remains, that we could not be together. Rather than we should not. Constant assurance of her state of happiness which I have provided made it easier for me. If it was up to ourselves, if it was up to her, we could still be. She confirms it.

Another interval, and I couldn't reload so I sent a text "Call me and we'll have a proper goodbye."

As I tell her all the things that will happen, that I will be expecting, that she should be expecting, she starts to sob faintly in the background. As part of a natural instinct, I made her stop. I slip in little jokes to lighten the ambiance. She chuckles from time to time.

This is the part where I realized this is how a relationship should end. I tell her "We started with a smile towards each other. We should end it the same way." So we did. It's an ironic situation and not really conventional method that should be changed to the norm.

As we agreed on terms and conditions from both sides, and after finally running out of things to say and the fact that we have been talking non-stop for about an hour, we can finally say it. Casually I ask if there is any last words from her to me. Her hesitation was clarification. It was imminent. I knew exactly what she wanted to say because that is what I felt too. So it was okay.

She tells me those three words and I replied the same. Finally, half-heartedly, barely, uttering "Bye."

I'm done.

Afan.