Resignation Letter

Back in school, we were taught to write formal and informal letters. Or, at least, we were taught the format for writing those letters. A letter to your father asking for money, a letter to the city mayor asking for a reform, a letter to your principal asking for a permission, a letter to your brother wishing him on his birthday. 

But in all those formats there was never a format for resignation letters. We were never taught to write a resignation letter. May be because they did not want us to recognize the feeling of resignation, the feeling of walking away from something. But may be they should have. It would not only make us less awkward when drafting a resignation letter, it would also make us better prepared to receive one.

I received one recently and I know how unexpected and strange it feels. And it was not from an employee. I'm, fortunately, not in a position where I will receive resignations from employees. But I received one from my best friend. 

Yes, you read it right. My best friend resigned from the 'post of being my best friend'. So that makes her my ex-best friend. 

Ironically, it came after a comment on Facebook where she proclaimed that she would never share me with anyone and we'd be best friends forever; in the chat lingo BFFs. She made it sound as if it was all about she changing as a person, but in the process she was terminating our friendship. She claimed in her resignation that I'd remain "one of the closest souls" to her. But she could no longer remain my best friend. Contradictory, I'd say!

This was not the first time that I have said good-bye to a friend. But this is definitely the first time when I have received a written resignation. In the past, people and I have just drifted away. This time someone made the effort to leave a note. And I can't help but think that it was a very selfish, self-centered note; no matter how much sweetness and apologies you put in there. You left when you did not need me anymore. You did not leave when you were crying buckets over a jerk boyfriend or fighting over an unfair professional decision. You did not leave when you were fighting to keep your head above water. But you left when you made it to the shore.

I did not fight or argue with the decision. I accepted the decision with a silent prayer that may you never feel the need to return, may you never feel the need to call me or cry over my shoulder. Because I don't take pain twice in my life. May you never feel the need to turn back because I will not be found standing behind you. May you never fall because I will not catch you. May you have the courage to fight your own battles because I will not be your shield anymore.

May you live a life without any regrets and not be deserted by people you hold closest to your heart. Because they may leave with a part of you that no one can ever make up.

Will I forget you? Never. I will remember you the day my fiance comes to the city for you promised to receive him with me. I will remember you on each shopping day for you promised to go shopping with me. I will remember you on every day of my marriage preparation for you promised to be my wedding planner. I will remember you on the day of my wedding for you promised to be my maid of honour. I will remember you the day I give birth to my children for you promised to spoil them rotten. And I will remember you the day I die for you left me with a lesson and a void.

I close my chapter with you here, today. I take our eight years of friendship, put them in a box and leave them in the ocean, hoping that they become part of the innumerable secrets that the ocean hides in its heart, never to be found.