Old Friend

When I heard the saying "welcome death as an old friend" I frowned...until I saw an awful familiar figure standing on my front door and marveling at his surroundings and my breath hitched

He looked at me with the same familiar warmth beckoning me to welcome him...

I tentatively asked "tea?" 

He gazed and gave a silent nod..I made it just like he liked years ago and sat across from him

"You have aged" He spoke hesitantly..his own voice hoarse as if it's foreign to him

I chuckled "how have you been?" 

He merely shrugged he didn't knew what to answer or what could be answered. He had always been present at the back...back of my grandmother's funeral procession..I was not more than 7..He was there on my father's funeral...I was 40...he was there when my husband died..at the back. Now he was here again and this time I knew it was for me 

"You didn't came as my husband...I thought I would see him or my parents" he stiffen slightly with no answer and instead ask me again "did u have a good life? Any regrets? Anything" I smiled heartily and shook my head "none" "we should go now" I gestured towards my open door knowing I cannot stall my fate and he gripped my hand slightly tight as if asking me to beg for some more days or bribe him with golds and wealth. And then off I went and death welcomed his friend again.