Journey: The crossroad of their life

Hmm! So here they are, standing at Crossroads. Even though they have been walking together for the last three years it is only now that he realizes that she was not looking in the same direction as he was. She always did say that one day she would have to take a different path at a crossroad. Just didn’t think that, that day was today.
So here they are as I say again. Straight goes his path. Mountains lay ahead and dark clouds. And there is fear in his heart. Because the one he thought would be there just won’t be there. He looks at her, confused, bemused. He asks her "Why? Why, my dear?” But answers there were none. Cause answers there could be none. He expressed his anger with a raging stare. And that stare helped. As he gauged beyond her towards her path; a balmy wind blew there. A fragrance filled the air on her path.

He then remembered those wonderful days. The feeling his heart felt for her, corrupted now by the anger. He wanted to feel that again. And so he closed his eyes. And he tried to feel again what he had always felt. Pure happiness!! What is it that he had wanted for her? It was happiness. What is it that made him happy? It was to see her happy. Why was he so uneasy at this moment in time? Cause he was not being happy for her. The anger vanished. He looked at her. He could sense her feelings as he always did. She yearned to take the path she had chosen for herself. She would be happy on her new path, but for the little pain in her heart. She wondered had she caused him pain. She didn’t mean to ever!! He knew her far too well. He knew she hadn’t erred. He knew what was right for her? His anger subsided. His feeling now clear, he gauged at her path again. He was happy what he saw there. His sweet heart would be happy he knew. He knew what he had to do. He had to let her go. Years of stress had made him shallow. He did not believe in destiny. Now he did. He did not yet understand it. But he believed.

Another thing he realized. The anger was gone and so was the fear. He turned now and looked at his path. The mountains were still there. But the clouds had cleared. There was a path in the mountains he could see it now. The path was tough but there was hope. For along the path lay a stream. Visible at the crossroads now, was a shop. He picked the accessories that he would need. And then there was another thing he picked up. He slipped it in his pocket and he was ready.

He had one last thing to do. He went to her. The thing in his pocket was a pendant. He gave it her. He had made some promises before. Those had to be fulfilled. “If you ever need help, just rub on the pendent, and I shall be there. We did not take any vows, you and I!! But I have made a vow to myself. Whenever darkness befalls on my dear, I shall be there to tear the clouds. With that I bid adieu. I am happy for you as never before. I will keep a watch on you. I will be there if ever need be. Understand this that my heart is at peace. Now there is no malice.” He kissed her forehead and bade goodbye.

His breathing was deep now. The first step would always be difficult. There was so much to hold on to. He checked his back pack. Everything was there. From the mountains he could keep an eye on her progress. His heart slowed down. His senses lowered, until he could not hear or feel anything else. All he saw now was the road ahead. And then he took his first step. And then another, and another... Soon he had passed the crossroad. One glimpse back and there she was at the crossroad of their life, with new hope in her eyes. He smiled. He was happy.

There was no looking back now. As the mountain approached, he strode ahead. Not knowing what lay ahead. He was now aside the stream. At that very moment on the other side of the mountain, another soul had crossed a similar crossroad. And she too was at the mountains. Neither traveler knew where the road would take them. Only the stream knew and she smiled.