Lost soul

Once I excused myself from the chaotic reality, once again she appeared. Standing in that same torn gloomy outfit across the road, her long black hair sheathing her like a cloak.
Past few days were real tough for me, and then her obsession of following me everywhere is making things more distracting. I could see anxiousness in her face, but she never approached. Never talked, never waved - but just stared blankly standing within a reachable distance.

Today, I felt the urge to confront her. To know her identity, her reasons for stalking, or the cause that’s holding her back.
Maybe she knows me somehow.
Maybe she is a victim of some misfortune or ill-treatment like me which she is suppressing for who knows how long.
The memories of my past sent a shiver through my spine, making me a little nausea.
A beautiful, mysterious smirk flashed across her face as if she could read my thoughts but her profound eyes betrayed her showing her own sufferings.
Or maybe I’m misjudging her; she could be just another girl seeking for some help.

Or maybe she is known to me whom my mind is intentionally trying to overlook – a part of my past.
I noticed under her dull, smoky appearance she possesses the same pale skin as mine, about same build and height. She looks exactly like me except more untold shades in her persona.

That day she called my name repeatedly for help. Neither I nor anyone else could have saved her. I thought I’d lost her forever.
But seeing her now, there’s no bound for my rejoicing.
I took a step towards her; her eyes sparkled showing her victory of gaining my attention. She turned to walk away, making me follow her.
Till now I was so preoccupied in my own thoughts that I didn’t realize that she was barefooted, even on this almost-frozen road.

For a moment I tried to guess where I’m heading to but all my mind could come up with was innumerable soon-to-be-answered questions.

How did she find me?
It’s been years since we parted away then how among millions in this ‘City of Dream’ she knows me for sure as her sister?
Did she know me all along these years?
Why didn’t she return earlier?
Where was she when I was struggling in my own little hell?

Maybe I should have made an effort to search her. I wish I’d a little more faith in her when she promised to be my side till the end.

Today, I stand a chance to start fresh, to keep aside my guilt and embrace her, to apologize for past and knit a bright future.
I looked around, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Sophia..” I called her name aloud. Again and Again and Again. I screamed my heart out, being this close I can’t lose her once again. She owes all those answers which she and only she can provide me with.

When I was about give up, she called. Her voice so soothing that it wiped my tears away.
She has this enormous satisfaction in her smile as she continued in perfect low tone, “Understand, it’s me who is still trapped in you. Sophia… Let Me Go” and thrust her hands over my shoulders to jerk me up from sleep.