Crossroads

We walk hand in hand with others through this journey we call life. At any point of my life, there's always somebody holding my hand, or at least hovering nearby as I went on in my passage. No matter how comfortable the person's presence is, inevitably we will reach that fork on the road. One that would force each of us to choose whether we would go on together, of should we bid farewell to each other. Most of the times, we are bound to let go.

See you at the crossroad

There was this boy I spent my childhood with. He lived nearby. We spent almost everyday together. We played the same games and shared the same laughs. We grew apart as I started school. He went to school in his hometown. I met him a couple of times ago, pushing the snack cart on the side of the road. We exchanged stories. Briefly reminisce of a time long passed. He is still the same warm, kind soul I knew years ago.

There was this girl whom I went to elementary school with. I spent so many times in her house. We were so close at that time. We go to the same church, but I was never the devout type. Not even as a child. She is the exact opposite of me, religious-wise. We don't actually communicate other than briefly exchange comments on Facebook and occasional hellos during the rare times I go to my church. During these times, I would watch her as she reads passages of the bible on the podium, while I try to maintain sufficient level of concentration.

A guy that sells tickets for the commuter train recognised me one day. I barely recognised him, but we went to junior high together. We were never that close, but he was smarter than me in school, academically. He was my ex's best friend at that time. We exchanged smile, but directly went on our ways. You see, I have a train to catch and people were queuing behind me.

Speaking of exes, there was this guy I dated briefly in senior high. We have different religions, and apparently that's a big thing for Indonesian parents. Throughout the years, we meet several times. Exchanged stories and looking for each other's advice. He's married to one of my best friend in tenth grade (whom I suspect dislikes me from the way she interacts with me. I never figure out why). They have one child, and I no longer communicate with him. Save for some innocent comments on Facebook.

In college, I met this amazing girl. She is very smart, critical, diligent, friendly, and seem to have zero bad thoughts. I was comfortable with her as friend, and enjoy our discussions. She went back to her hometown a couple of years ago. And now, I saw her sharing posts that I find doesn't make sense on Facebook. I still have high respect for her, but I think our values and believes are already so far apart.

Because happiness needs
no explanations

It's amazing how one different turn can lead you to a very different path. At one point of life, I was in the same state with the aforementioned. Now, we are so far apart. Some people whom I said goodbye to came back to my life as if nothing have changed, but that do not happen a lot. No matter how different we are now, I sincerely hope the good persons that has been in my life are happy with their current conditions,  as I am now.

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* Crossroad picture taken from this site.
** Happy monks picture by Mollycules from Buddha Doodles.