The city's din enveloped Eilian, her fingers tapping nervously on her suitcase. A sense of both longing and apprehension churned within her. Eilian clutched her phone, where a picture of her hometown's signpost stared back at her, evoking a sense of longing and trepidation. After years of yearning and uncertainty, Eilian had finally decided to return home.
"Finally going back, huh?" A voice startled Eilian. She looked back to see a friendly face, Stella, beaming at her.
"Yeah, after so many years," Eilian replied with a wistful smile. "It's been too long. I miss everything."
"It's gonna be like stepping into a time warp." Stella chuckled. "And it'll be a great opportunity for you to find inspiration for your new novel. The fans are desperate for a new book, y'know."
Eilian laughed, the sound a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. "I wonder if things have changed too much."
"Of course there will be changes. You haven't visited that hometown of yours for quiet a long time now." Stella laughed.
"Leaving already, Eilian?" A colleague's voice pierced by familiarity, Louis, a fellow writer, frowning at Eilian.
"Yeah, I need some time away. I'm going back to my hometown," Eilian replied, trying to sound nonchalant while her heart drummed a frantic beat.
"Your hometown? Why now?" Louis's eyes widened with curiosity.
"I.....I just feel like I need to. It's been too long." Eilian struggled to articulate the emotions.
"Well, take care of yourself, and let me know if you need anything," Louis said, concern softening her features. Eilian nodded.
Eilian gave Stella one last hug before she pull in the car and embarked on the journey, memories flooded on her mind, the sights and sounds of her old town merging with the buzz of the city.
The journey back home was filled with a mix of eagerness and trepidation. Her mind danced between memories of laughter and joy, intertwined with moments of heartache and loss. She couldn't shake the feeling that this return would be a turning point in her life, an opportunity for closure or perhaps even a new beginning.
As Eilian drove along the familiar winding roads, a mix of excitement and anxiety consumed her. The landscape seemed to change with every passing mile, the buildings giving way to open fields and quaint cottages. Memories tugged at her heartstrings, whispering stories of laughter and tears that were etched into the fabric of this place. The air felt cleaner, fresher, and with each passing mile, the knot of anticipation in her stomach tightened. She wondered how different her hometown would be after all these years. Would the familiar landmarks still be there? Would the people she once knew still recognize her?
Finally, she reached the town limits. It was as if time stood still, frozen in a perpetual nostalgia. The once bustling town square now appeared more subdued, as if time had gently eroded its vibrancy. Eilian parked her car near the park, her eyes fixated on the playground she used to frequent as a child.
Stepping out of the car, she inhaled deeply, taking in the familiar scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers that perfumed the air. Her footsteps echoed through the quiet streets, each one resonating with memories long forgotten, as Eilian walked through the streets she once called home, she couldn't ignore the subtle changes that had taken place. The town she had once known so intimately seemed altered, like a faded photograph that had been touched by time and wear. But amidst the changes, there were glimpses of familiarity that brought a smile to Eilian's face. The old oak tree in the park still stood tall and proud, its branches swaying gently in the breeze.
She noticed a small, weathered signage. Through the dense bush that encircles the words "Welcome to Oakridge" that are barely noticeable. She walked back to her car, scanning the area. It was a far cry from the vibrant community she had once known. Her knuckles turned white as she tightened her grip onto the steering wheel.
Turning onto her childhood street, Eilian's heart skipped a beat as she saw her old house. Memories flooded her mind as she parked the car in front of it. She took a deep breath before stepping out of the car and approaching the old picket fence that surrounded the property.
The front porch, once a welcoming space where Eilian and her family would spend lazy summer afternoons, was now dilapidated and in desperate need of repair. The vibrant paint had faded, leaving behind only remnants of the cheerful yellow that had adorned the wooden panels. It was a stark contrast to the vivid memories that surfaced in Eilian's mind as she stood there, lost in the past. Eilian ran her fingers along the familiar wooden slats, feeling every groove and crack. She couldn't believe how much had changed since she left. The once manicured lawn was now overgrown with weeds, and there were visible cracks in the windows that used to sparkle in the sunlight.
She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was ready to confront the dilapidated state of her childhood home. With a heavy heart, Eilian pushed open the gate and stepped onto the neglected pathway that led to the front door. Weeds crunched beneath her feet as she approached the porch, memories threatening to overwhelm her.
As she reached out to grasp the doorknob, she hesitated for a moment, uncertain of what lay beyond. Summoning her courage, Eilian turned the knob, half-expecting it to be locked. But to her surprise, it turned easily under her touch. She slowly pushed open the door.
The hinges groaned in protest, revealing a dimly lit interior that hinted at years of neglect. Dust particles danced in the streams of sunlight that filtered through the cracked windows. Eilian cautiously entered, her footsteps echoing through the empty rooms. She couldn't help but be flooded with nostalgia as she gazed at the familiar surroundings. The worn-out wallpaper, once adorned with colorful flowers, was now peeling off the walls. The walls that were previously furnish with family photographs now stood bare, leaving behind only faint outlines where picture frames had once hung. The furniture, once neatly arranged and polished, was covered in layers of dust.
Eilian made her way through each room, her fingers tracing the forgotten memories that lingered in every corner. The rooms were filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional creaking of the floorboards beneath her feet.
She couldn't help but notice how time had ravaged the place. The once vibrant living room now seemed lifeless, its worn-out furniture covered in dust and cobwebs, she found the old piano that her mother used to play on warm summer evenings. Its once gleaming white keys were now yellowed and chipped, but Eilian couldn't resist sitting down and running her fingers over them, producing a faint melody that seemed to breathe life back into the silent house. She closed her eyes and let the music take her back to happier times. She remembered sitting on this very stool as a child, watching her mother play beautiful melodies that filled their home with joy and warmth. But now, the music sounded different – melancholic and haunting. Eilian opened her eyes to find tears streaming down her face. She hadn't realized how much she missed this place until now.
With a heavy heart, she stood up from the piano and continued exploring the house. As she continued her exploration, Eilian's heart grew heavy with both sorrow and a strange sense of closure.
The kitchen, which used to be the heart of their home, now stood barren and forlorn, its countertops stained and cracked.
As Eilian ascended the staircase, each step creaked under her weight. The familiar sound sent shivers down her spine, reminding her of late-night conversations and laughter that had once filled these halls. The bedrooms upstairs held fragments of her past—her childhood sanctuary.
But for every happy memory, there was also a painful one. The arguments between her parents that grew louder and more frequent as she got older, the feeling of being suffocated by expectations and responsibilities.
Eilian shook off those thoughts and focused on the present. She had come here for closure and it was time to face what had brought her back after all these years.