Confrontation

People who have known me for a while (like, 48 hours) know that I hated the four years I spent in college. It destroyed (yes, and I am not even trying to be melodramatic) me in a way that I am traumatized simply thinking of the time I spent there. I never went back (for reunions etc.) and I tried not to keep in touch with anyone from college, barring one or two close friends. It just so happened that recently, while on my way to a family function, I crossed the town where my college is located. I looked out the window from my bus when I saw boards and banners announcing I was in the dreadful town. Or the sleepy town that had dreadful memories associated with it.
I don't know if any of you have felt a physical pain when confronting a particularly dark memory. But that is what I felt just then. I felt for a second that I was asphyxiating, dying. I have never felt any presence so strongly. It was almost evil and I could not explain it in words anyone would understand. In fact, even now, I do not know what came over me. It was a panic attack, hyperventilation, negative energies, paranormal- all rolled into one! 
I was at the edge of my seat till I crossed the town, and my heart continued to beat as fast as it could, like a little bird. Until then I had no idea that I was so traumatized by the mere memory of my college. Sure, I hated it and all, but this was physical pain and discomfort. 
After crossing the town, I felt a little calmed down. Then I began laughing, hysterically. I don't even know why, and Mr. thought the heat was getting to me. It was not the heat. It was probably a nervous kind of relief, but I find it hard to put it in real words. 
The experience was almost supernatural. Like I was confronting ghosts from a long dead past. I am still a little unnerved by what happened. Has something like this ever happened to you? Can you explain it?Copyright Petrichor and Clouds 2013 at petrichorandclouds.blogspot.com Please do not reproduce the material published here.