Sitting in our favourite café, I swallowed hard. I just couldn`t brace myself to reveal this difficult news to her. Seated in front of me was my dear friend whom I had known since my childhood. We had been together as we faced every hurdle of life and had made countless memories in this city. I was well-aware that moving from here would be hard, but separating from her would be even harder.

I heaved a long sigh and uttered abruptly, `Emily, we are moving to the UK.

At this, the first emotion she displayed was confusion, while sipping her coffee. I looked at her with anticipation, waiting for a reply.

Then she answered with a grin spread wide across her face, `What do you mean? Going to the UK all of a sudden?` she chuckled. Her reaction was exactly what I had expected, she had taken it as a prank.

It was all too much for me now.

Tears brimmed up in my eyes and I explained, `Yes, we are going. My father got a well-paying job there and we are supposed to move there in two weeks.

I said this while preventing my tears from trickling down my eyes.

That was when realisation hit her and she perceived that I was not at all bluffing with her.

`But why didn`t you tell me earlier?` she complained while looking down to hide her tears. `This cannot be happening. You, my only friend, my best friend, and now you`re moving to another corner of the world.

What will I do over here without you?` she said and began sobbing bitterly.

I moved forward, instantly grabbing her hand in my own and consoled her. I tried to assure her that it was not that bad, but the truth was that I didn`t believe in what I said.

Trying to sound positive, I said, `We will still be best friends and you should know that you will always have a special place in my heart, no matter where we are.

At this, she replied, `Of course I know that. But not having you around is not something that I am used to. You are like my sister and are very special to me.` She was weeping miserably now. It ached my heart to see her like this.

`Don`t worry, you will always be able to contact me and I will still visit,` I reassured.

This brought a ray of hope in her.

She got up while wiping her tears and embraced me. I was relieved to see her composed. But then it dawned on me that I was about to begin a new chapter of my life without her in it, which shattered my heart. Nonetheless, I tried to cherish these last few moments with her, to forever hold it in my memories.