it was an hour and a half past noon on a very warm and humid thursday, just as what was predicted.  the weather has been on and off lately, and it being the last month of the year doesn't seem to change things, even when christmas is just around the corner.  he had waited for this day to come, well, not nearly as it took him a couple of years to finally be able to do it.  he always thought that he would find the time to settle everything, only to realize that putting it off led to days becoming months, and months becoming years.  he had just had lunch with a colleague, and was now on his way to finish everything.

as he drove through christmas traffic, a lot of things came to mind.  memories of how things were at that time start to creep back and present itself as if the events were in front of him, like a video highlight of days past.  there were times where he struggled for the most part, felt sick about it, and didn't like what was happening, yet for the latter part, everything became so good that he felt being a part of something special.  and those times reminded him how blessed he was to be there, to take part in something that made him grow as a person, and how things have turned from something he nearly gave up, to something he almost couldn't let go.  yet there was the reality that things change, and that not everything is set in stone.  he had to let go and he had to go.  there was no changing that.  it was one of the hardest things he had to do, but for him to survive, and for him to become better, he had to.  yet the parting of ways wasn't as smooth as he hoped it would be.  his leaving was as sudden as he came in.  he still expected something in the end, but in order for him to get it, he had to make the first move.

he finally arrived at the place.  he was quite hesitant to approach where he needed to be, but he had already come this far to turn back now.  he gave his name to the person on the reception area and he was asked to take a seat and wait.  again, more memories came rushing back.  he caught himself smiling at times when a funny incident happened, and felt frowning when there were days when he wished could've been better.  but that's all in the past now.  what matters is, inevitable as it seems, is that things end now.  he felt nervous as his name was called, and he slowly approached the person who called him.  he was presented with papers to sign, and after browsing through it for a couple of seconds, put his pen to the paper and affixed his signature.  it was done.  his clearance from the company he worked for before his last one was finally settled, his final pay given in a form of a check.  it was bittersweet for him as he knew he no longer had any reason to come back to that place.  well, at least not in the next three to five years, or unless they come calling, offering him something he couldn't refuse.  but, as of now, their paths have crossed for the last time.  he left the building with a wry smile on his face, clutching the envelope with the check, satisfied with what he got (a plus to his christmas budget for sure), yet no amount can ever compensate for the time he spent with the people he worked with, for the experience itself was priceless.  he looked back as the glass door was closing, and he knew, right there and then, that he won't be opening those for a very long time.