HAR EK FRIEND ZAROORI HOTA HAI; Episode 3: Ms. “Angel” (simply that and nothing else)

Girls will as much be girls as boys will be boys.

We need to simply have those drama sequences, anger on things we would laugh about later, fashion and shopping talks and yes, a shoulder to cry our heart out. At this stage I must admit that while expressing all this at once does drain you out, it takes an almost superhuman strength for the person who is unfortunate enough to be at the receiving end. So thereby I christen thee my angel for your god like strength to all my turbulence.

When you have found your best friend you know it. You need not have been chaddi buddies or long-time acquaintances. The moment you develop your secret language of gestures, laugh out loud on things alien to others but extraordinarily funny to you, sing LP songs together and comprehend the silent promise of being there for each other – you know you have been hitched up for life! :P

Your achievements are multiplied manifold when she speaks about them. You are the ultimate stylista in her eyes (No one ask for my wardrobe collection at this stage please! ). People who have wronged you, are the devil’s advocate according to her. She will shroud all your mistakes. She does the impossible job of highlighting your qualities where you see fallacies. She will remember each and every thing you said even when you forget, and remind you those crucial tiny details when you most need them. When the world stops listening, she hears you. Her eyes will always find you, when the world confers you invisibility. In essence you feel “like a boss” in every aspect of your existence with her lovely presence, motivation and encouragement.  

 In this superficial world around, only her apologies seem sincere for missing a hangout, for landing a missed call on her cell phone or non reply to a “need you” text message, because those convey truly her sadness at not being able to. She will let you be a critic on all her works first before passing it to the rest of the world, being a happy obedient student while you be the bad, criticising teacher. While I am ferocious in any wrong done to her, she teaches me how can the same defence be conducted with gentleness. At time when anger clouds all sense, she can calm you down to a level-head, graciously taking all the steam that ensues in the transformation.

You may be sullen if she remains out of the picture for days on an end and foolishingly assume her probable indifference. Yet she enters the portrait of your life again as if she never had gone anywhere and you simply can’t remain cross. You feel just so happy to realise she was somehow invisibly present all this while.

All my secrets, I shamelessly bare before you,

My joys and happiness as much yours as mine,

However harsh the times we may be going through,

Till my angel looks out for me, I know I will be just fine.

Let me tell you my angel, the radiance with which you light up everyone’s life is unparalleled. The world remains a bit dull without a smile on your face. We may not be together all the while (and I hate your college for this always) but don’t be gloomy ever because of people who do not deserve the blessing of your friendship. Be happy for all those who cherish you in the manner you should be. Remember that being happy is a key part at excelling at all your undertakings. No doubt that you have already made your mark in all fields possible. Next time do that with that 100 watt waali "takatak" smile.

                               

HAR EK FRIEND ZAROORI HOTA HAI; Episode 2: Ms. “Pareshaan aatma”

And you have in front of you, a cherished afternoon siesta from a second half off. You snuggle into your bed with a lovely novel. And lo and behold! There is an announcement in your lobby that your over enthusiastic friend has jumped off from a not-so-slow bus (no suicidal tendencies though :P). So you rush off to Apollo and want to shout at her so bad for scaring you so much. Yet when her befuddled gaze falls upon you, all you can muster is,

“Sudhregi nahi tu kabhi!”

 I was of the opinion that I can be perfectly happy independently when I did not manage to make any friends initially after shifting to college. Contended with my books and coping with the daily chores of independent existence took up my time and I felt this was the way to be. She made her “Dabbanngg” entry then. Made me realise it was criminal to stay like this and it was high time I gave a true blue college life a chance.

“Kitna padhti hai re, kabhi to ghum liya kar bahar!”

“Gapiyane ka man kar rha hai... bahut frustiya liye yaar!”

I was glad to see the “normal” me returning in her presence.

Her presence filled with mischief and fun is contagious. She likes her surroundings to be jolly and even if they aren’t, turns them into a festive mood.  Her zest and enthusiasm for adventurous pursuits makes us feel like old ladies in front of her. No one can feel alone around her. She takes it upto her to ensure that everyone around her feels present and accounted for. Even though all of those “everyone” can wilfully ignore her later on or in a classic display of bitchiness, mock her on her back, she does not give a damn. She never wants to be independent or on her own, and rightfully so because she is there for her friends always and hence expects them to be too. Although we made her realise the hard way that this was not to be. I have wronged her at times and consequently realised her magnanimity in forgiving me every time I may have let her down.

But to my credit, I have made her retain her nerdy side as far as possible!

“Yaar palle nhi pad rha code meko...ek ghante se wahi question pe dimaag laga rahi hun”

“Acche se padhne baithe the but bilkul focus nahi ho paa rha”

    “To chup chaap aake mere room mein padh and idhar udhar dhyan lagana n nautanki karna band kar. Abhi concentrate kar le baad mein distract ho lena!”

Like is with every relationship, there has to be an element of complementation. She’s the fun element and I am the serious one. She is the talkative element, I am the silent one. She’s the photographer, but wait....I can’t be her muse! :p

                                                        

This account is dedicated to my first friend in BIT. Who surprises me with her profoundness underneath her colourful exterior. Who has been my confidant and advisor (whose advice is better listened but not taken :p). With whom this Miss Perfect to the world shares her imperfections without any hesitations. Even if I become irritated with her endless tirades and shoo her off at times, looking back I know she’ll be there and smiling because both of us knew I’ll look back.

“Yaar ,we’ll get drunk after placement, ek baar na please!”

             “Ladki ab tum chup ho jao!”

HAR EK FRIEND ZAROORI HOTA HAI ; Episode 1: Ms. “Hamesha mere saath hi aisa hota hai”

You get an urgent knock on your door. A message has been delivered on your phone heralding the emotional storm that is to be unleashed into the fragile room of yours. And hence enter your friend, on the verge of one of her breakdowns. She is irritated to find your roommate there.

“Can’t she be someplace else now!” And you are thankful that your roomie dearest is very much there to provide cushioning to the effects of the ensuing thundering.

Well roommate or not she starts off,
"I'm jus sick and tired of all the mind games people make up now-a-days...can't life be a bit more simple?"

“Yaar why did I do vellapanti in first year, these programs have oh so high CG requirements!”

“I’m telling you, anything and everything I do, cannot be free of any glitches. I’m doomed till eternity!”

And this tirade is not one way. She has to complete what she has to. But you need to provide your inputs too.

“Are yaar, why are you bothering yourself so, ignore maar na”, “There a lot many other programs out there, I’ll look some up”, “Sunna kisi ki life is not perfect, so drop it”

Oh but drop it, ha she won’t! She will go on and even she is mentally agreeing and knowing what you are going to say next, she will make you say and take out every last bit of advice from you until you’re out of them. And heavens have mercy on you if you run out of advices before she has completed her story of the day. Ah the look you’ll get, is one of utmost deception and treachery. You actually start feeling guilty and go on with the best possible consolation and suggestions you’re able to formulate. After a session with her, you feel accomplished,

“Hell man, I would’ve rocked as a psychiatrist. Kahan engineering mein aa gyi!”

She teaches you patience, makes you a keen listener with the persistence to lend an ear to her troubles.  She makes you compatible with odd schedules, because her appointments with you aren’t scheduled, they can come in the dead of the night, evening, afternoon or absolutely anytime. She enables you to feel confident about yourself, in process of untangling her life, you gain insight into yours. You realise the importance of small problems, you considered inconsequential earlier and now know how to manage them. You feel pride in being the role of a guardian angel and despite all your sleeplessness or exhaustion, at the end of the day, if you have made her smile and lent her happiness, it is worth all the trouble taken so far.

You know yours is the only shoulder she can cry her heart out and only in your eyes can she see an understanding for her troubles. The very fact that she feels free to share things that are so deep and intimate to her, makes you realise that the level of attachment between you two is as close like the life giving umbilical cord between a mother and a child. Believe me I do feel a motherly instinct for this special baby of mine! :P

And let me tell you my friend, that smile of yours is one of the most exquisite things I’ve ever seen. Grace the world with its presence more often as this angel promises to be with you in one form or the other and will go to any length to make you feel everything’s alright. You can trouble me all you want, stay angry at me for leaving you alone at times and give me all the scathing looks or even bang the door right in my face! Aayegi ghum ke mere paas hi I know and my warm embrace will be eternally present to engulf you with all the joys and happiness I can muster for you my dear.

HAR EK FRIEND ZAROORI HOTA HAI

About this clichéd-titled series of mine: first question, why is this a cliché? It is because all the happy realities in today’s “extra-terrestrial-seeking” world have been tagged as clichés. So what if the title is borrowed, it is time someone thanked and gave credit to the creator of this phrase. In my opinion, nothing sums up the inherent beauty of friendship better than this line. The exquisite thing about this relation is that, it is unique for anyone and everyone, for it is defined by the people who constitute it. Each of our friends adds a new dimension, making this element more multi-dimensional than any of Sheldon Cooper’s dimensional analysis of the universe! Also, more the colours on the palate of friendship, better is the lesson of managing diversity early in life.

This series is dedicated to that smile of a stolen bitchy conversation, that hearty laugh over an entirely serious lecture, the spontaneous jigs on any tune possible in the hostel, to the deep love that blossomed from friendship; in entirety to my crazily blessed world of friends.   

Finally this will be a promise fulfilled, who has been honoured with the dedication of the first episode, who is smiling by the time they read this. And who will be ready to come and probably beat me black and blue for this candid take! :p