He set out on a journey of life, ready to be the best version of himself. Young but mature in mind, he walked with simplicity and optimism. He knew the road would not always be easy, yet he faced it with patience, empathy, and quiet diligence. He was in no rush, taking each step with care. Understanding the complexity of the journey on which he has embarked. He has a zeal for helping those in need.


One day, he meets a woman. Who is she? What does she want? What journey is she on? He wonders. She matched his pace, but he could not be too sure yet. Missing puzzle piece? He leads her through her doubts; he holds her in assurance, offering her a faint smile of courage. Why does she make me feel this way? He did not anticipate it. She had entered his life like a falling leaf — ordinary at first glance, yet somehow making a significant change. He wants her but feels unprepared. She has expectations, he fears never meeting them. She holds his hand in assurance, and they continue the journey. He is scared, scared of the unknown. Scared to stick around alone. What if I find another later? Would it make him unfaithful? Would choosing her mean giving up something he had not yet discovered?


He is conflicted, he wants to give her his world, but he is unsure if it will be enough. Her path seemed different from his, smoother, with fewer obstacles. Could she survive the rough road he was paving? Could she endure the fog, the rain, the fallen trees, and the thieves that sometimes lurked along the way? Will she survive on his path? Will she be able to endure the road that I am trying my best to pave? Will she understand me? His mind races with questions. She assures him she was willing to try, even if she had no idea what lay ahead.


He is fearful, for he is not yet ready and wonders if she will be understanding. Either he leaves her behind and paves the way, then later returns to fetch her and make her walk on the paved way. holds her hand, and together they pave the way. Or let her take a parallel route to the same journey he is to take, and they will both meet at the coming crossroads. But he is scared, scared that if he leaves her behind, another might take her, only for him to return and find her gone, also scared that the crossroads might never come, making him parallel to her all his life and never being able to meet. if he paves the way with her, he is afraid that she might learn all his weaknesses and sabotage the path to fit her devious motives. His logic is at war with his instincts. Why does he have a sense of relief in trusting her?


A sense to hold her hand and take her with, but oh, the horrors, the horrors he has heard and witnessed. Did those who went before him not know better? Did they hold the wrong hand? Did they bring along the wrong people? How do you evaluate the wares that do not belong to you? He sits in silence, pondering on thoughts. He gets up and continues the journey; this time, it is different. It is no longer about confusion; it is a mission. it is a journey with purpose and questions to be answered. No one to ask but to observe and see, to seek help from the ONE who sees the beginning from the end, ONE who stands out of time, ONE who is not a man that he should lie. ONE who knew him by his name, and one who knows the number of the hairs on his day, one who stores the rain for the rainy season, one who told the sea where it should stop and not cross. ONE who does the impossible that humanity cannot comprehend, ONE who gives peace that surpasses all understanding. It was time for him to bring his case upon HIM, for HE knows the hearts of everyone, and HE will let him know whom to take along the journey.


But he seems quiet about the man's case. There is no reply and no sound; silence is an answer, but what type of answer? What answer is this silence? Oh, to add to the poor man's confusion. Nonetheless, he sheds a few tears for how can such a simple task be hard, a simple task, a simple journey to bring or not to bring, how can it be so hard? It is hard because it impacts lives, it impacts one's existence. He continues the journey, still waiting for an answer. This time, he asks her to come along; he tells her that she can walk with him. She informs him of the weather. He does not hold her hand because he is afraid to, afraid that he will run off with her. Afraid of what he will feel. He wants the answer to return when he has not yet started something else. He is anticipating a no; this way, he can carry her to her path. He will take her back on her journey. What if it is a yes? Then how sure would he be that it is a yes?


He fears making hasty decisions, but he would rather be burdened than take a decision he is not too sure about. He is stressed about what the answer might be, but for now, he is enjoying the lovely companion on his walk. Doing his best not to hold her hand, helping her where she needs help on her path. Borrowing and lending to each other what is needed. Moving from his path to hers and from hers to his. Standing on guard as she sleeps and watching her stand guard as he rests, for he cannot fully sleep, scared that she is not strong enough to stand guard, but he makes her feel that she is on guard. Whatever the answer will be, he knows he will be content with it, for with her together each step they take, it is the best, although some steps might be smaller or bigger, but just a step together makes it all better.


If the answer returns negative then he will grieve but be grateful that they spent time together, he will be disappointed to have never held her hand and ran off, and if the answer is positive he will be thrilled to continue on the journey with her and this time he plans on planting her favourite flowers along the path and he will paint the stones in her favourite colour, he would be willing to do that much for her, his fears still linger but with her he feels that the fears are smaller than he made out to be.
He still feared, but faith walked quietly beside him. Whatever lay beyond the next bend, he knew he would face it with open hands, for the One who made the road also made the hearts of those who walk upon it.