Only yesterday I was discussing with somebody about the Friendship day phenomenon resulting into hijacked Facebook spaces with FRIENDSHIP DAY posts, pics and all that is post-able online. Today however, when I read all the lovely (and not as lovely) messages, sms's and noticed my terribly cluttered FB page (all thanks to my bugger friends!), I just couldn't resist writing this post.
When I think about my journey from Baroda to Mumbai to Germany, Vapi, Ankleshwar, Paris, Amsterdam, Singapore, States and other places– life’s shown me more than one can imagine. It’s been a bitch sometimes and beautiful at others. What made it even more interesting was the set of people I met, got acquainted with, became comfortable with, gelled like a house on fire, and finally got friends with! Yes buggers! Am talking about you all!
You are reading this because you are special. You don’t need to respond or for that matter even read it, if you prefer not to. I am posting it because I want you all to know how much you guys mean to me. I am no prolific writer or anything so please read in between the lines to know how SPECIAL you all are to me!
(PS: In alphabetical order)
Anita Sharma / Beena Thakkar:
Right from our first meeting at Gangotri to high school to college, you have always been there – no matter what! Our first interaction is as fresh as daisy in my memory (All those who know me well, know that I've nothing less than short term memory loss and that I am hopelessly forgetful)! It amazes me how a relationship can blossom from a simple bakda-chat to a full blown companionship. Touch-wood! I just love the fact that even when we din't talk for months, when I was away for years, not a thing changed between us. The day I re-appeared, we picked up strings from where we left! No hang ups at all. No girly tantrums. It’s so comforting! Where do you find such girlfriends these days!?!?! I remember fighting with Beena, to make her get over a jerk she was involved with. I remember having my tee-shirt drenched in her tears as I hugged her the first time someone broke her heart. I remember how we've grown together – bunking classes & lazing around, gorging pani pooris, chasing phattak guys and ignoring some not-so-phattak types! I remember your moist eyes when I was to leave India. Most of all, I remember us growing together! My most basic girlfriends – Thanks for being there for me, with me… Always! I wouldn't have had such amazing memories without you.
Akanksha Bumia Gandhi:
Akanksha Bumia is what we used to call her in School days. She was my super senior in school, class mate in college and a dear friend. Our initial interaction is NOT boast-worthy at all; we actually started with a fight! She was political-best in the lot – somebody who could best mobilize the crowd! My best-est ever field-work partner! I pity poor Naman and Atul for suffering us the whole time. Post our stint together, I’m sure you both are trained for life! ;)It’s a wonderful feeling to see her settled with the the-best-guy in town – Hardik Gandhi! No matter how sobered down you are now, for me, the original Akanksha is the one who used @#@#$% at the drop of a hat. Against yours and by extension Hardik’s wish, I would want Mischa to become unadulterated Akanksha Bumia – the old version.
Ashutosh Dixit:
What do I say about him! He makes me laugh. He never says a NO to anything I want to do. Neend nahi aa rahi, raat ko ghoomne jaana hai....chal, milte hai Hiranandani mein! Khana khana hai, chal chalte hai Borivali, raat ke 3 baje! He can do insane thing, only and only dosti-ke-khatir! I know he is just one phone call away, if and when I need him! Ashu to me is Mr. Dependable. I know he respects people, relationships. He makes sure his friends don’t do something they shouldn’t be doing. We don’t talk tête-à-tête; neither do we take the pains of staying in touch, I bet he doesn’t even know my favorite color (nor do I know his :P) but for some reason I can put my chin up and say, “he’s my FRIEND!”. Thanks dost! My tapri-chaay partner and one of the best IIT gifts.
Bruno Meduri:
Bruno is the best-est boss, the sweetest Italian guy you’re ever going to meet, at least in Germany! It wouldn’t have been half as fun without you! I owe Düsseldorf to you! Big time! Hugs & Kisses!
Namrata Parmar:
The lost soul of our group! Always up to something, nobody ever knew what. Our simple-ton, girl next door! Am so happy to see you where you are today!
Rickytosh Kumar:
She is one of those very few people who make sense to me! One heck of a trainer! Bloody heck of a friend and my partner in crime – ANY & ALL CRIMES! I just love the true Punju spirit in her, it’s actually infectious. Raw yet refined, real yet polished. She is one awe inspiring lady, somebody who lives on her on terms. Something, I downright RESPECT. My friend, philosopher and guide, my shopping partner, my movie partner, gossip partner and what not! She is somebody, who knows me and at times is as confused about my ways and means, as I myself am! Somebody who taught me that in relationships, for every 3 deposits, only 1 withdrawal is allowed! Despite this gyaan, I’ve always had more account withdrawals then deposits in our relationship account and she has been gracious enough to ignore it in my favor. IIT was hot and spicy – all thanks to you! And you were correct; we can put boys to shame! (Remember Aishwarya Rai wala lecture? My loveliest bitch-mate! ;)
Ruchi Desai Binde:
Our very own Ms. Faculty! What have we not shared… food, fun, sob-stories and more! One of the most charming ladies – then and now! Can’t state Ruchi better than this, it all goes without saying, so why say?? ;)
Sudeep Jambekar:
He’s one person I can’t put down in words. Somehow, he’s special to me and I am still figuring out how. May be because he's my first college buddy... my first learning partner, my first try-all-sorts-of-food-partner! He is the one who taught me to laugh as to risk appearing a fool, to weep as to risk appearing sentimental, to reach out for someone as to risk involvement, to expose feelings as to risk exposing true self, to place ideas, dreams before the crowd as to risk their loss, to live as to risk dying, to hope as to risk despair, to try as to risk failure. I don’t know if he makes it a point to be there every time I need help, but somehow he is always there at all the major crossroads of my life. He never has all the time to advise me or to help me find solutions but he always LISTENS to whatever I have to say. Stay khush, Sudeep-ya! I wish all the happiness to you and Sneha! :)
Tamara Joyette:
Tamara is warmth and ease personified. One Thai dinner & one drink is all that you need to win someone forever. As you’ve said, “Secret to having a good life is having good friends”. Thanks for being one! :)
Manoj Jain, Giriraj Mistry, Nidhi Sood, Sharad, Sandy, Sapna, Badri, Baaji, Rashmi, Nidhi Sharma, Brinda Saha, Praveena Balakrishnan, Angela Maus, Hiral Chauhan – count yourself included in the list! Just that I am short of words now ;) My friends in IIT and Bayer, and all those who made life such an unforgettable experience, I cherish you all and will until forever! You all rock my life!
Love
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