Parting Ways

The decision finally manifested itself like the last nail being hammered into a sealed coffin. And like a sealed coffin, the next step is inevitable. For Jim, there's no other way but to end what he has been trying to build during the best years of his life. No other option exists but to part ways. As Jim ponders the necessary to formalise the separation, he can't help but recall how it had began and how the end is now coming for this union.

They had embarked on the union with common ideals and objectives. It was exciting going through the ups and downs of realising their vows. They worked hard, much harder after the arrival of the kids. A decade down the line, the ideals began to crack. Their choices began to differ. Their objectives does not match anymore. Where had he gone wrong ? Where had they gone wrong ? This question begs to be answered and in answering Jim realised that no wrong has been done. Only that they both had changed. Changed by the passage of time. Altering their values and needs. Each became a different person in the others eyes, maybe because each does not conform to the others expectations after all these years.

The one thing that they both agreed on is that the kids should be well taken care of. Jim realised that no matter how well they plan, the separation will have a negative impact on the kids. He also realised that he is beyond the point of return and that is just something that he is powerless to prevent. At first he thought that perhaps he could continue with the charade for the sake of the kids, but it doesn't work. The negativity and lack of warmth is not lost on the kids. The elder even starts to blame themselves for the situation. That is what finally drove Jim to come out and make the move towards separation.

It is sad, yet the prospect of escaping the suffocation provides some comfort to Jim. He imagined going through the coming days on his own. That is the price that he has to pay. He just could not understand why life has been so unfair to him. Why does this happen ? There are no third person involved for either of them, no drunken bouts, no late night outings, no abusive violence and money has always been in abundance. Theirs were a civilised union, yet, it came to an end when it should be at the peak.

Jim just sat there staring at the papers with teardrops slowly making its way down his cheeks. There are just so many consequences, so many causes, so may thoughts and hurts and pains that invaded his mind and he is powerless. All the years, the efforts, the joy and the sorrow, all of them will be relegated to a deep dark place in his psyche. And the kids, the kids will be hurt too.

With that thought, Jim raised his pen and in one swift movement put his mark on the papers to initiate the inevitable. He just hoped and prayed that somehow the kids will be alright.