So...I have 5 friends.
There are folks who have hundreds of friends, acquaintances, etc. I have 5. Of course, i know a lot of folks at work, in the society, in general etc. But these 5...they are really close to me. I’m not gregarious by nature. I don’t make friends easily. But I’ve stuck by these 5…or maybe these 5 have stuck by me !
Let me tell you about them, in no particular order…
One is currently in Pune, with his lovely wife and two kids. He’s gone through his fair share of struggles and then some. He’s literally started his life all over again. And how ! He’s successful in his chosen field. He’s constantly traveling abroad, yet finds time to keep in touch. He’s perpetually smiling, never a frown on his face. If only, people knew his struggles, the hardship, the emotional turmoil, the crisis which he faced and surmounted. Hats off to you my friend.
Another, I met in college, in DU. Bespectacled. Tall, with a slight stoop, more attitude than posture :) Studious. Well read. Global citizen in the true sense, well travelled in his teens, courtesy his father’s postings, he continues to travel to multiple continents both on work and for pleasure. His wife is truly his redemption and will be his rock in the years to come. He’s a quiet guy, doesn’t talk much. I’ve felt his anguish after he lost his father and seen him rise the corporate ladder faster than most of his peers. I wish him to reach the pinnacle which few achieve.
The last guy, he is a gem. He has a very active social life. Makes friends at the drop of a sentence, and keeps in touch with so so many of them. Polite, with always a compliment handy, he has an elephantine memory for names and relationships. He has the street smarts which folks desire. Always ready to lend a hand, he’s helped me (and others) out in countless ways over the past two decades. More than that he’s always been a sounding board for advice, both personal and professional. He’s a doting father and loving husband. He’s more family to me than most of my relatives.
Another, I met while I was doing PG. She’s the Iron lady, in the true sense. Brilliant in studies, successful at work, she juggles a full time career with a moody husband and lovely daughter. Health challenges over the last few years have slowed her down but her appetite for travel is undiminished. Her creativity can even be seen in her cooking !
Someone said, if you marry your best friend, you will never be lonely in life. You’ll never need to say anything for her to understand you. She’s my better half :)
My youngest friend, I met at work, just after my daughter was born. I admire the way in which she carries herself. She faces the world alone with grit and determination. I’m in awe of her strength. Gregarious and outgoing, she’s faced hurdles both in her personal and professional life and overcome them with sheer self belief. An avid reader and traveller, only the coldest continent is pending to be conquered. She had surgery on her knee and two years later, she was running marathons !!! And shows no signs of stopping. I hope to run with her someday.
A lot of times, they’ve been in different cities and I have felt their pain on the phone. I’ve shared heartbreaks, challenges in life with all of my friends and I hope that they all have all the success in their personal lives as well as professional with God’s grace.
I hope to keep bugging them…till eternity lasts :)
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