Penance

 I was walking down life's lonely road, when I met a strange man. He asked me for directions and went his way. Of course, I didn't know the directions to his destination; but I helped him the best I could. A few days later, I met him again, in one of life's by-lanes. I smiled, I said hello but little did I know...
  I cannot say that I hadn't guessed it. It was obvious from the way he looked at me. His thirsty eyes seemed to drink off my very presence. I was pleased to know that he had a strong liking towards me but alas, I felt no stir of passion, no pangs of fiery love.
  Days passed, words grew fewer even though our paths crossed often. I knew, that he had abandoned his road in order to watch me walk down mine. He watched with starved, hungry eyes as I hurried by. Soon he lost track of his destination and began to go around in circles.
  Many-a-times, when I have taken shelter for the night, I have gazed upon the stars and wondered what is this invisible string of pain that attaches that strange man to me? What is it that he seeks? I never could find an answer. I learned soon, that there were many thing on heaven and earth that were beyond my understanding.
  Many-a-times, he would disappear for days, trying to find his path again. But, soon he would return on his knees, begging me to walk with him, to love him. He could not understand why it was impossible for me to do so and he would die everyday.
  After a while, he was reduced to a mere shadow. When I saw him, I was filled with remorse. How could my mere presence cause him so much pain? Often, I would try to explain to him that he should move on but his vacant eyes would remain unchanging.
  What he doesn't know is that our paths are different, so are our destination. That is why, we can never walk together. He is headed towards life itself and I...I am trying to find a way out of this maze, a way to free my soul.