It is an evening full of smiles and laughters but at the same time an evening packed with hidden sadness. You'll probably not gonna see these people in a long time.

The 7th of January, the house suddenly became crowded with the people closest to my heart and the table swarming with the foods and refreshments prepared by my mom. Even if your mom’s cooking is not perfect, you’ll surely miss it.  

I sit with my closest friends and we instantly begun reminiscing our best memories together and laughing at some stupid things we did in the past years. We started talking about our previous fights and just laughed at it because now it looks so pointless. We even brought up how we all meet and became friends which is weird because we don’t even remember. Will I ever gonna be hanging out with them like this again?

I then sit with my cousins and they started talking about how many birthdays, christmases, new years and other gatherings I would miss. They’re saying how I’m just gonna be in facetime when there’s occassions. I'm just ignoring it but in the inside I'm really thinking about it. Can i just not leave?

My aunts and uncles together with my parents and my grandfather called me. They begun telling me things I don't want to hear. "Be good there, your mom's not gonna be there with you." "Don't be too hard headed with your dad, listen to him." "Choose your friends wisely and don't be influenced by the people you know that's not good for you." Why are they treating me like a 10 year-old girl who doesn't know anything?

As my first guest leaves, my mind is racing. "Have a safe trip patricia!" I found myself panicking, I’m stuttering, my palms sweating, my knees shaking and my heart beating faster. Can I just stop the time?

Relatives and friends started saying their farewells. Is it time? I am mesmerized by the countless people declaring bon voyage. We begun taking pictures like I will never see them again, hugging like I will never be with them again. Wait I’m coming back right? I can't clearly see because of the tears forming in my eyes. Don’t cry.

They finally left and we started cleaning the house. It is so peaceful and quiet. There is an awkward silence like never before, an unusual tranquility flowing around the house. What just happened?

It is time to sleep but i just can't. There's a lot of questions forming in my head. Will they forget about me? Will they be in touch with me even if I'm miles away? Will they make an effort to stay up late to talk to me? Will they remember me when they all hang out? Will they be actually sad when I leave? Will they be interested on the things that's happening to me in the other side of the world?

I finally slept and the next day I woke up, for a split-second I thought it was just a normal day. But then when I saw my luggage, I just smiled and said to myself.. So I guess it’s hello Los Angeles.