“Why are you leaving?” I asked while I watched her pack her things.

“I have to,” she answered without taking off her eyes on what she was doing.

“But why?” I asked confusedly.

“Because they asked me to,” she answered calmly, with a shrug. “You will know..”

She paused, and then looked at me. I knew, she was sad – no, she was heartbroken. And without any other word, she turned her back and walked away.

I couldn’t explain the feeling – sadness or relief? It was a lingering question I couldn’t answer, until we met five years after – in an unexpected situation.