We meet again

He was standing at the crossroads.

He looked in all the directions. Four paths leading to different places. From here all the paths looked equally inviting. Somehow he had a feeling that he had been here earlier. As he tried to jog his memory, he vaguely recollected that he had taken the path to his left earlier. The path was strewn with greenery on all the sides with the promise of beautiful flowers further down. But his mind told him to explore other avenues as he had lost something at these crossroads earlier. He, however, did not have much recollection of his loss.

He stood still looking in all directions for some guidance. But from his position every path looked equally appealing.

If his memory was serving him right, many years ago he had chosen the path of the left. That made him decide not to take that path. That path had taken him in the direction where he had lost many things in life. The luck had, however, brought him back to the same crossroads. He must decide upon the correct direction this time as there may not be another next time for him. Life might give you a second chance, but the possibility of a third chance was almost not there. 

He looked around. There were no indicators or milestones to guide him. As the memories came back to him, he remembered that someone was there with him on the same crossroads eons ago. Where that person had gone, he had no idea. But he remembered very clearly that their paths separated from this place.

His feet were rooted to the ground unable to decide upon the direction they needed to take. Of course, his subconscious mind had already told him not to take the path to the left. That still left the choice of three other directions.

Which direction should he take?

….

Just then he espied a movement from the corners of his eyes. There appeared to be some person coming from behind him. When he turned around, he could not see anything other than a shadow. However, the object casting the shadow was not within the range of his eyesight.

He sensed a movement towards his right side. He could feel someone walking towards the road on his right. It must be someone known or very dear to him who had come to guide him towards the correct path. The person he had lost on the very same crossroads as they had got separated and walked in different directions.

He asked, “Is it you Usha?”

The shadow started assuming some shape. Soon he could make out it was really Usha. She was yet to speak to him. He was seeing her after what appeared to be centuries. He could not think of any reason for them going off in different directions.

He wanted to bombard her with the questions. But all the questions got mixed in his mind. Then he felt that his mind had received an answer. “Yes, it is me. I have come back after all those years.

His mind was filled with elation which he had not felt for many years. He had many questions in his mind. But instead of flooding her mind with questions, he chose to ask her a simple question. 

“Where have you been for all those years?

He realised that he had not opened his mouth and the question had travelled from his mind to her mind.

She had replied without opening her mouth.

He decided that there was no need for any further questions. At least they were together after so many years. Since they had chosen the same path now, they will be together now, perhaps forever. He will have all the time in the world to get answers to his questions.

…..

Although it was concrete road, it appeared to him as if he was walking on soft snow. The view was breathtaking with greenery and flowers all around. As they walked on, they found themselves on the banks of a beautiful lake with clear water in which they could see their reflections. A silent communication passed between them and they sat on the boulder at the edge of water and put their feet in water. The water felt cool against their skin. The fish came and swam near their feet.

He looked far from his perch. He could see a valley of flowers which was not very far from where he was sitting. 

He had been waiting for this for a very long time, at least as far as he could remember. Usha was with him. All the pain of separation had been washed away as if lake water contained some water purifying chemical.

He wondered why he had chosen the wrong path. Still it felt better to walk on such a beautiful path with a companion.

Life from hereon could only get better. He looked into the eyes of Usha and felt better. She was like the first ray of sun in his life.

….

A loud sound of alarm woke him up. 

He had an online meeting lined up. He wondered when did his life turn into a nightmare of meetings and more meetings. The real life was a nightmare and the dream appeared to be a pleasant reality. There was no Usha around. She had been left behind on those crossroads from where he had taken a wrong turn.

He will have to travel on this path alone.