Next Door Bedroom 

The bedroom next door; it seems so simple, right? The bedroom has remained the same over the past 18 years of owning the house, ever since the contractors, maracay, have built it. Although it seems the same, the content and feelings inside of it have drastically changed. It has gone from being a rambunctious and silly kids room, to a dramatic and moody teenagers’ room, to now an empty, cold, desolate adults room. The room has contained emotions and characteristics of joy, laughter, and acceptance all the way to anger, spite, misunderstandings, corruption, and evil. 

This bedroom once was very joyful. It started with freshly wet paints of green on top and beige/brown accents that were shown when the light shined through the window, reflecting the image of camouflage prints, which enacted the boy in the room to feel as though he was the commander of his own army. Green soldier toys and brown Lincoln logs covered the floors regularly from long days of leading armies through hardships and tough fought battles against enemies. The ironic event is that this wasn’t too far from what later was to happen. Throughout this phase of the room though, laughter was constantly floating through the air. Whether it was from kids and their friends, or parents and extended family, feelings of happiness were always present. Parents would walk in smiling at the scene of the room, and would leave at peace, thinking all would be well. 

The room gradually transitioned as the kid aged. Young teenage years came and the fun green walls turned to gray, reflecting the mood of the room. Patches of the wall were missing from objects slamming against it or infuriated fists puncturing the helpless and innocent wall. Floors were dirty but this time, not with toys; instead, specks of dust and other unknown substances coated and stained the floors as well with the typical stained, dirty, and foul smelling clothes piled up in the mistreated and unclean corner. The blinds were always closed, leading to barely any glimpses of light being shown which highlighted the constant mood of the room. Battles were still constantly being fought in the room; however, to our dismay, not physically with toys. Instead, battles were in the mind. The enemy was not another army or military, but oneself; it was the own commander. Thoughts flew through the room of “I’m not enough”, “when will be the next time?”, and “no one understands.” A constant battle went on day and night, sunset to sundown, and ever more throughout the night. It seemed as though there was never a break. When parents would enter the room they no longer smiled and laughed at the sight. If they were to even attempt to enter into the neglected and mistreated room, they were filled with worry and misunderstanding and would instead frown and get infuriated as their noses constantly picked up on smells of fruitiness such as mango or the so-called beloved blue-raspberry. If not this, foul earthly bitterness was smelled. The room was now neglected by everyone, except the one who lived in it; the one who drowned in it and didn’t know how to escape it.  Eventually, the room brought on so much suffering that soon it wasn’t wanted to be left. The one who suffered and felt so utterly lonely and helpless connected with the room and instead wanted to stay in it as long as their heart continued to beat and blood was pumping through their veins. 

Time went on and patches were filled up, thick red stains were wiped and washed away, windows were not fully opened, but just enough so that light was able to shine through in a moderate amount. More understanding was filled in the room and tears were splattered over the soft tile floor as hearts and minds were opening up. Hope was coming into the room. Love was being displayed. It came so close to being neglected to the fullest potential, but then spirits changed and giving up hope was no longer seen as an option. There was still a scent of fruitiness remaining at times but the earthly bitterness faded as more love was shown throughout the room. Time kept on passing by, and soon more people entered and left the room, no longer feeling empty and heartbroken. The room was continuously filled with more peace, hope, compassion, and understanding. 

Now, the room is empty and desolate, but in a different way. Many emotions and feelings remain but the smells have ceased to exist. No more stains remained and light was fully shining through the white windows. Before, if the room were seen as empty, it wouldn’t have been seen as such a bad thing, but now, hearts melted at the sight. The only items in the room are a bed, desk, and the remaining brown boxes left over as well as a sticky note with “I love you and am so proud of you” written on it. The room was said goodbye to today, but in a much more positive way. Many stages occurred in the room such as laughter and children’s play, to fear and discomfort and now onto peace and new beginnings. Yes, peace was evermore so present in the room.