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The last time, everything fit in three duffles. Four years ago, mom and dad left me here to perish—that’s what I thought then when your parents sent you to college in Belgium, a foreign country with foreign faces, foreign culture, and foreign language. Just me, my three duffel bags, and I in a jumbled mess.

I never would have thought I would come to miss this place. Its stinky corridors and noisy neighbors is a complete contrast to its neat façade but somehow I learned that it wasn’t so bad after all. My neighbors were fellow students from different countries and by the end of our fourth year, we’ve already become a one big, happy family. We laughed at each other’s flaws and cried for each other’s woes; one’s fight is everyone’s battle at the end of the day.

As I stopped before the cab that is taking me to the airport, I couldn’t help but take one last look and sigh. There’s so much memories and love in here. The last time, everything fit in my three duffles. I wonder if there’s a duffle bag huge enough to fit this place…

Word Count: 185

Written for Roger Shipp’s flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction For the Purposeful Practitioner. An opening sentence is provided and we are to craft a story to under 200 words length. This week’s prompt reminds me of my college days. I was sent to a boarding school, too- not to perish but to have the best experience of my life. 😀

This week’s prompt is: “The last time, everything fit in three duffles…”

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