The Only Girl I Ever Loved...
I wouldn’t really call it a spiteful fight. But we did not speak to each other all of sixth standard. And for some amount of seventh standard too. Every time our ways crossed on school corridors, playground, passages or the school gate, there were no frowns or scowls or disgust or rolling of eyes in indifference. The only thing that each felt was remorse and awkwardness. No. It wasn’t a fight. Just mutual, unspoken agreement to never speak to each other again. To think we stuck to it for a year and a half.
Anu was my partner in the fifth standard. But she was friendlier with the girl who sat behind us, alone. Suchitra. She would not miss a single opportunity to hurry behind and sit with her for whatever possible time. It’s not that they did not talk to me at all. But they didn’t care much for me either. Ow.
But eventually Anu and I did become close friends until we met the girl we should have never met in our lives- Lavina Miss World Pinto. Our story get a bit soap opera types here, were Lavina preys on the dim-witted of the two (read me). She convinced me that Anu was ways to arrogant, bossy and stubborn for any girl to put up with. And that I was being a pushover. Well she got me to push over Anu aside and be with her, till she got bored and moved on to the next pair of best friends she found to separate. Sheesh. I felt like a total fool.
Standard seventh. August 15. I was in a chorus group performance and Anu was part of a play. We both were backstage. I did something I had never done in my life. I swallowed my ego. I wished her best of luck. The look on her face would have won her an Oscar. Confusion, surprise, shock, joy were some emotions I saw on that face. Later that day we spoke over the phone. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
We were in the same class in eight standard. We had a blast. We’d sit together and crack jokes on our teachers. It was the year we got library cards. We’d be reading books under the desk during class. Badminton was the second craze. As we’d settle down for lunch, unlike other kids, we’d speak very little. We’d gulp down our lunch in 10 minutes and rush to spend the remaining 30 minutes of our lunch hour playing badminton. Well not all of it. A few minutes would be dedicated to retrieval of the shuttlecock from the trees now and then.
Even though we did not get to be in the same class the following two years, we’d rush to meet during break time. I still remember how we’d run from our respective classes with Rs. 2.50 in our palms and meet in the center of the corridor during break and run down to the canteen for samosas. Then we’d pledge solemnly not to make this a habit. The next day we’d find ourselves in the samosa line again. We’d play “rin-tin-tin” on the corridors to the amusement of classmates. Lunch time was later dedicated to class gossip. We’d not have enough time so we’d call up and talk to each other. On holidays, we’d talk twice a day, minimum. We’d walk on the grounds or around school campus, hand in hand. That was put to a stop after the movie Fire released.
She’s always been the patient one among the two of us. If she’d see that a topic arises where we are bound to disagree, she’d artfully steer clear and start a new topic. She was also the perfect one to turn to for advice because she was more practical and level headed. If I miss being in school, it’s mostly because I miss spending time with Anu.
We’d talk about almost anything in the world. Books, movies, teachers, other girls, Hercule Poirot, studies, classes, N.V jokes…No subject was taboo. Actually, she was the only one I wouldn’t think twice before talking to about anything at all. I was most comfortable with her. I knew she understood me perfectly and all that I say was safe with her. There have been instances when we haven’t said a word to each other, but just the twinkle in our eyes would tell us we’ve both thought of the same things. Whenever I’ve felt upset, just having her to talk to was a great relief.
We went on to study in different colleges. Though my college life was fun, I did miss her. When I would make new friends and get hurt, I’d miss her even more. All the poisonous people I have befriended have made me respect and treasure my best friend more. Although she would warn me to be wary of getting too emotional about the wrong people, I’d make the same mistakes. But when I go back to her with a hurt soul, never till today has she ever told me “I told you so “.
That’s my best friend. Anushree Nair. Genius at mind, simple at heart, vulnerable, innocent, fun, witty, loyal, trustworthy, hardworking, wise, insightful, observant, sharp, determined, loves cracking jokes on me, but will support me even if the world turns against me (I’m sure she’ll have a wisecrack on this too). Sometimes due to her being an introvert and a genius at the same time, she is misunderstood to be a snob. But she wouldn’t even bother to act snobbish, though she does have the reasons to be so. Anu is a very simple, non-manipulative girl amidst manipulative and jealous people. I’m too possessive about her and if wishful thinking were fruitful, people who hurt her would have no end to their woes.
There are very few things that I can be sure I have done right. Ten years ago, I shoved my ego aside and spoke to Anu and we became friends again. It was the only time in my entire life I have kept my ego aside. Yes, I’m going to brag about it for as long as I live. It was one of my smartest moves. I know she doesn’t mind me bragging. If she did, I’d whack her.
Happy Friendship’s Day Cutie pie.
Love, Shines.
Anu was my partner in the fifth standard. But she was friendlier with the girl who sat behind us, alone. Suchitra. She would not miss a single opportunity to hurry behind and sit with her for whatever possible time. It’s not that they did not talk to me at all. But they didn’t care much for me either. Ow.
But eventually Anu and I did become close friends until we met the girl we should have never met in our lives- Lavina Miss World Pinto. Our story get a bit soap opera types here, were Lavina preys on the dim-witted of the two (read me). She convinced me that Anu was ways to arrogant, bossy and stubborn for any girl to put up with. And that I was being a pushover. Well she got me to push over Anu aside and be with her, till she got bored and moved on to the next pair of best friends she found to separate. Sheesh. I felt like a total fool.
Standard seventh. August 15. I was in a chorus group performance and Anu was part of a play. We both were backstage. I did something I had never done in my life. I swallowed my ego. I wished her best of luck. The look on her face would have won her an Oscar. Confusion, surprise, shock, joy were some emotions I saw on that face. Later that day we spoke over the phone. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
We were in the same class in eight standard. We had a blast. We’d sit together and crack jokes on our teachers. It was the year we got library cards. We’d be reading books under the desk during class. Badminton was the second craze. As we’d settle down for lunch, unlike other kids, we’d speak very little. We’d gulp down our lunch in 10 minutes and rush to spend the remaining 30 minutes of our lunch hour playing badminton. Well not all of it. A few minutes would be dedicated to retrieval of the shuttlecock from the trees now and then.
Even though we did not get to be in the same class the following two years, we’d rush to meet during break time. I still remember how we’d run from our respective classes with Rs. 2.50 in our palms and meet in the center of the corridor during break and run down to the canteen for samosas. Then we’d pledge solemnly not to make this a habit. The next day we’d find ourselves in the samosa line again. We’d play “rin-tin-tin” on the corridors to the amusement of classmates. Lunch time was later dedicated to class gossip. We’d not have enough time so we’d call up and talk to each other. On holidays, we’d talk twice a day, minimum. We’d walk on the grounds or around school campus, hand in hand. That was put to a stop after the movie Fire released.
She’s always been the patient one among the two of us. If she’d see that a topic arises where we are bound to disagree, she’d artfully steer clear and start a new topic. She was also the perfect one to turn to for advice because she was more practical and level headed. If I miss being in school, it’s mostly because I miss spending time with Anu.
We’d talk about almost anything in the world. Books, movies, teachers, other girls, Hercule Poirot, studies, classes, N.V jokes…No subject was taboo. Actually, she was the only one I wouldn’t think twice before talking to about anything at all. I was most comfortable with her. I knew she understood me perfectly and all that I say was safe with her. There have been instances when we haven’t said a word to each other, but just the twinkle in our eyes would tell us we’ve both thought of the same things. Whenever I’ve felt upset, just having her to talk to was a great relief.
We went on to study in different colleges. Though my college life was fun, I did miss her. When I would make new friends and get hurt, I’d miss her even more. All the poisonous people I have befriended have made me respect and treasure my best friend more. Although she would warn me to be wary of getting too emotional about the wrong people, I’d make the same mistakes. But when I go back to her with a hurt soul, never till today has she ever told me “I told you so “.
That’s my best friend. Anushree Nair. Genius at mind, simple at heart, vulnerable, innocent, fun, witty, loyal, trustworthy, hardworking, wise, insightful, observant, sharp, determined, loves cracking jokes on me, but will support me even if the world turns against me (I’m sure she’ll have a wisecrack on this too). Sometimes due to her being an introvert and a genius at the same time, she is misunderstood to be a snob. But she wouldn’t even bother to act snobbish, though she does have the reasons to be so. Anu is a very simple, non-manipulative girl amidst manipulative and jealous people. I’m too possessive about her and if wishful thinking were fruitful, people who hurt her would have no end to their woes.
There are very few things that I can be sure I have done right. Ten years ago, I shoved my ego aside and spoke to Anu and we became friends again. It was the only time in my entire life I have kept my ego aside. Yes, I’m going to brag about it for as long as I live. It was one of my smartest moves. I know she doesn’t mind me bragging. If she did, I’d whack her.
Happy Friendship’s Day Cutie pie.
Love, Shines.
posted by eh, what's up doc? at 9:47 PM
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