That dark narrow lane

Since childhood I always wanted to take that lane.
The lane was dark, narrow, muddy, full of potholes.
From outside that's what it looks like.
Nobody knew what's further down and where it lead to.
But I believed that it leads to something special.

The lane was dark even during the day.
The tall trees that grew uninterrupted for decades,
And their long branches with countless leaves hindered the sunlight.
People did not use that lane.
People do not use that  lane.

My curiosity grew with years.
But I was strictly warned against taking the path rarely travelled.
People narrated nightmarish stories
About the people who had taken that  lane.
Every time I passed by that area I was tempted to step in.

Days passed, months passed, years passed -
Dilly-dallying, hesitating, wondering...
The question remained :
Do I take the road less travelled?
Or do I take the one millions have been using.

Childhood to teenage; teenage to youth...
I remind myself:
Time and tide waits for none
The curiosity inside grew.
I gather strength...

One fine morning when the world was busy
Doing things it generally does every single day
I slip in to this curious lane.
Its bumpy, it smells, is damp and moist inside.
I understood why people don't take the lane.

And yet I continued my walk.
It grew more painful.
It was taking a toll on my health, life!
For a moment, I questioned myself about my decision.
But the voice inside asked me to carry on.

I have always listened to that one voice.
It has been my guiding light in the darkest of hours.
So, I just carried on.
I still firmly believe that I will find something special here.
May be, something that I have been looking since childhood!