Neena…….A Decade Long Story

Friends are one relation that I understand the most. I have been lucky to have a few of the best people in the world as my friends.

Now, since the time I started writing this blog, I have looked for excuses not to write about one person who is closest to me, knows me the best and has been with me through all my darkest and brightest phases. The excuses were many – I didn’t know how to start, I was superstitious, I couldn’t find words. But Neena, today I have decided to let go of all my inhibitions and dedicate this post to you.

I am not an easy person to be friends with even today, and was even worse a decade ago. I first met Neena in the college first year ( SGTB Khalsa College, North Campus) , unlike in films I do not remember the first time I saw her or talked to her. All that I remember is that we became friends…aka Laurel and Hardy minus the height difference. I was too thin and she was a little healthy but of the same height. She was (& is) basketball crazy and I didn’t even know how many players made a team. But somehow we became friends and still are. To be honest the whole credit of us being friends goes to her, else I would have lost touch with her years ago. During one of my lowest phases, I would not even reply with "hmmmm" or even "yes/no" to when she called but persistent gal that she is , she continued her calls and brought me out of that miserable phase.

With our choices so different, we have never liked each others’ crushes (Thank God) but have never shied off expressing our dislike. We have torn each others choices apart and then stood by each other, though we knew that decision was not right coz, we never take decisions for each other. But believe, ” This is what I feel for the situation but no matter what you do I am right beside you”. No judgments and no attitude. We have survived and grown up together.

I have lovely memories of watching most pathetic movies(like Janwar), eating indigestible chowmein in canteen, spending entire day at book fairs, going for shopping and ending up buying nothing, becoming hoarse while cheering for our college’s basketball team, fostering our love for Mills and Boon so much that Uncle at Chotta Gol Chakkar in Knags almost adopted us. Look at things that we share - our love for books, our craving for spicy Chinese food (we specially ask for extra spicy stuff), the way we can listen to each other for hours, our no nonsense attitude , enjoying each others success and most important the connection which has no reason. The Laurel and Hardy difference has disappeared coz she reduced and I put on some weight. This year we are celebrating eleven years(Shagun ke gyarah) of our friendship- a lovely relation that has stood all highs and lows of life.

Looking back into the past decade, filled with strength of our friendship, I can only say – When I prayed for a friend, God sent me the Best.

Love You Neena .

P.S : I know Neena I have only touched the surface but then I am still superstitious, kahin nazar na lag jaaye...Touche'Wood.