Smile to frown

As it was late at night, like every day's routine to be out from morning till pre midnight time. The cold Autumn winds were soothing. Through the neighborhood, the street lights were bright orange, giving a nostalgic feel for me as i walked the road all alone.

At that time of night everyone must have been tucked in their bed at home, already sleeping. But here i was tired of the long day work still lingering on the streets. With nothing much of energy left in me. Every house past by me as i wished my house was here or in the inner city where my office could be nearer to me. I could only wish for it.

Two blocks left. (Sigh). I wish. As i remembered the child feverish days of mine. I wish i was a child again as nostalgic breeze hit me. But the bright past changed into a shocking fear. I recalled the memory of the man i feared in my dreams or you can say nightmares. The man with a smile. But the smile never made him look happy, as if he was forced to smile even though he had tears in his eyes. Painful tears. He used to stay still in a corner of every dream not saying or doing a thing but just starring me. I could never be able to see his body but his face.

The face i feared! I remember it now after years again. I had forgotten him as he never came in my dreams after i moved from my parents. Maybe it was stuck with me in that house. But remembering him now is strange.

As i came to my surroundings from thoughts, i involuntarily turned my head to the right.

Lord have mercy... i screamed.

It was the face. But in real life. I froze instead of running, may be i was traumatized by it. It was still like always. In the shadow of bushes. Not saying, not moving.

I said to myself i am mature now it must be a vivid illusion. I walked pass by it. Moving ahead but my eyes locked onto him. He said nothing. He never wanished as i wished it would. But out of curiosity i asked who is he? May be a bully or someone from past who used to haunt me and i have depicted them into him.

I was naive and curious. I walked towards him this time not wanting to. He did nothing. Now i was close to him. I slowly touched his face. His eye full of tears, the tears rolled down but he smiles.

I tried to grab him from the shoulder. And took him out of the bushes with a hard pull i accidentally threw him on the side walk under the light. He is a grown man in a suit facing down now. I don't recognize him as anyone i know.

He turned his face. For the first time his expression was changed. "I will be dead." i thought. He had a frown then.

Now is when my curiosity ended and my limbs moved towards my home. I cried for help. But everyone is asleep. To no avail i reached my house. Taking a glimpse back... he was not there where i left him.

To some relief, i entered my home. Changing clothes and recalling of what just happened. I am the child again. The one who feared him. And now knowing he got a frown.

Restlessly i layed on my bed. Trying to sleep and looking at the window. Nothing but the glow of street lights.

The light blurred like something moved in front of it. i jumped to the window to see what i could see... nothing. This broke my fear and I went to sleep.

But i am not dreaming it is a nightmare agian after years again. Why? Because i can see him again in the corner of my dreams. To make it worse he got the frown i gave him....