Exit

You dream and you dream about a certain moment of time that seems so far away. As long back as I can remember, my plan has been to move back to the Middle East. My friends have gotten sick of hearing about it. My parents didn't believe for a while that I was serious and I myself got disillusioned because of a fifth year at university, a 2 month bout at the hospital, and then above all that, the last two months which have served to feed the frenzy and at the same time, tame this caged lion itching to get out.

Now, its here. One day left till I board my flight and leave Canada (at least till June) Its gonna be a surreal plane ride.

I remember when I first came to Canada. One of my family friends who knew us back in Doha had sent their son to pick us up. The rest of my family was in my uncle's car. My uncle's son and I were in his car with most of the luggage. I was merely 16. I remember being awed that drizzly day on my way to Mississauga from Pearson Airport. I couldn't understand what all those signs meant that said, "Sortie" on them. I didn't realise what it meant for another two years atleast. Exit. As if harkening the end of one life and the passage into another. It was too late to grasp the meaning by the time I got around to realsing what it meant.

I remember the first time I saw snow falling. I looked out my window and then looked back at the TV.. instantly doing a double take. Mesmerizing, like the singing of angels. Peaceful, serene and all consuming.

I remember the first time I watched a hockey game in its entirety. Leafs vs. Canucks. We won, I was hooked and the rest as they say, is history. I watched my last Leaf game in Canada yesterday. We lost. But I'll be a fan forever.

I remember the first day of my new high school. Erindale Secondary School. Right across from a Police Station- that was a comforting thought. I remember Mr. Rusnyk's Grade 10 Science class, my home room. On the first day, I must have answered at least 5 questions but little did I know that I was the only one standing up to answer questions in the whole class. Everyone else would sit there and talk to the teacher, a thought that would have never crossed my Indian/British/Pakistani schoolboy mind. That type of insolence would have earned you 4 rounds of the cricket pitch for sure-such thoughts were better left un-thought.

I remember my first day at university. I was so happy. Freedom. Simliar age group. 45 minutes away from Mississauga. Heaven. I spent five years at MAC and they were all amazing, chock full of memories worth photographing no matter how unphotogenic and pimple-faced everyone was. Full of friendships made and those ignored over the years. Its a testament to the people and the place that today, on my last day in Canada I shall be visiting Hamilton once again. To say goodbye I guess. Its a testament to my own insecurities too.

Its been amazing. All of it. I have so many people to thank. So much I want (nay, need) to say. But I've been on this soapbox for far too long. Its time for a quiet exit. Just another soul that has passed through. No tell-tale marks left on trees, and no graffiti that proclaims my name. Just another person that has been here. All a man can wish for is that the people he leaves behind remember him fondly.

Thank you, all of you. Au Revoir.