When morning came, I remembered the things I kept close to my heart.

My mother once said that I was a dreamer. Unable to be tied to reality and continue to float among the clouds and imaginations. Always chasing things while wearing a pair of rose-colored glasses.

My father told me that I'm his precious bird. Not caged, but free to fly in the open sky. Explore and embrace the winds of my journey and enjoy the skies, no matter what the weather.

My mind that already set a course for me. A list of what I need to do in life. Following my need to travel anywhere and somewhere.

My heart reminded me the pains of being caged and tied to reality. To escape things I don't even know what I need to escape from yet it craves to find the one place that I would call my home.

With a deep breath, I picked up my mobile phone from the side table and dialed a number that I've been meaning to call since morning—since that specific night.

The ringing filled my ears and as I waited patiently for the other line to pick it up, I felt something wet dropping on my bare legs.

Tears.

Droplets that showed every emotion I held back. The pain of waking up every day and not seeing her. The gnawing feeling that's eating me away as I wonder why she was injured. The emotion that made me think that I'm going to stand still.

The emotion that finally could anchor my so-called cruise ship.

Could.

Not even bothering to wipe them off my eyes, I waited for my call to be picked up.

"Hey! Glad you called! What's up?" his voice is as cheery as ever, making me smile even just a little. Then I remembered the reason why I called this person.

Pages torn off the journals.

Pictures removed from entries.

Bags well-packed and aching to be picked up.

Ticket for a plane leaving in a few hours.

And a bed; missing one person who said she wouldn't leave when the sun comes up.

I took a deep breath and steadied my voice, hoping it wouldn't crack.

"Ross... I'm leaving."