When I saw her for the first time, I was like 'Oh
she's so pretty but I think she’s too busy to talk to me'. And today, me and
her are like the best companions ever and can always cancel all other things to
take out time to talk to each other. This write-up is dedicated to somebody who
has been literally the best company I’ve ever had, utterly ideal. This one is
for you my dearest Neha Kumari and I hope you and others have a good time
reading this one. :)
Those visuals are crystal clear in my mind even now and I am
able to recollect all moments unmistakably. Class 10th, month of May, I was a recently
enrolled student at my new huge school in Patiala. Coming from a small school
in a small town in Himachal Pradesh, I was low on confidence. All strange, fresh
and absolutely impassive faces added to my despair and solitude. There were not
much of serious classes going on as the school was going to celebrate its
annual function only two days later. So, many of my ‘new’ classmates including
Neha were having an action-packed schedule and thus there was no typical warm
welcome kind of thing waiting for me. Me and her had just a small conversation
that too when we were introduced by another class-fellow and it was only
limited to that as we had vacations immediately after the annual function. It
was only after the school re-opened that we started knowing each other well. We
were accompanied by another really prized friend, Malavika, and we three shared
an incredible equation and this trio was great to be a part of. Since we were
in 10th class and had board exams, which used to be a big deal those
days, most of our time would be used up studying and discussing projects and
other general things. Although we were a studious and intellectual kind of
group but we used to have lots of fun and a great time together. Innumerous
amazing memories have occupied my heart which I am going to cherish whole life
with a big smile. Months passed and after the final exams we were at home for
almost two months. We all passed in flying colors and stepped in eleventh
standard. Malavika’s father got transferred to Bangalore and we had to sadly
bid her a good bye. Thus it was only me and Neha and one other girl out of all
girls from our section who had opted for science stream. Now were bench mates
too and used to spend most of our time with each other. Though we do have many striking
dissimilarities but I guess we complement each other really well.
Neha plays every role of life with full devotion; be it the job
of a dependable daughter, inspiring sister, brilliant student or a great
friend. She was always a bright scholar
appreciated by everybody. She is the eldest among her siblings and therefore
has naturally many other responsibilities towards them as well. One quality
that drew me more and more towards her was her strong determination. Once she
has decided something, she will do it at any rate, nothing can stop her. She
had made up her mind very early as to what she wanted to do in life and left no
stone unturned to achieve it. I remember she used to take up coaching for the
engineering entrance exams at a very prominent institute. We had a regular school and used to have loads
of homework and many added activities to do. Thus she used to have double
burden and very little time to finish off tasks but I hardly remember her
complaining about anything. I don’t know how she used to cope with everything and
still smiling. Few others from our class also went to the same institute as her
after school. But I found her the most firm about it. She valued every second
of life and always wanted to utilize it constructively, remarkable quality
indeed.
But this doesn’t mean that she just studied all the time and
spent time only with books. She was someone I used to share everything with. And she
too discussed everything with me, family problems, emotional troubles or any
other tribulation. At school, she had an image of being very reserved and not so
fun loving. Yes, she is not very expressive and doesn’t display her emotions so
easily but she is a very joyful person. It is just that she needs her own space
and takes little time to open up. She used to enjoy music and used to ask me to
sing and tell her about the newest songs. She has a very good-looking
appearance and her simplicity adds to the beauty. But it is her beautiful heart
that makes people to be fond of her. She has been an adorable friend. But I always
thought that we shared a more formal bond than an emotional one. It was only
after twelfth when we got separated that we came closer, when we took admission
in our respective colleges. It was only then that we realized how emotionally
connected we were and how important we were for each other. Once she called me
up from a different number. It was the day she joined her college in Kerala. She couldn’t speak properly. I could sense her
tears and was aware of how lonely she must be feeling there. She started crying
on phone and I still remember the words she said in a gloomy voice, “subah se
hindi mein baat bhi nahin ki hai.. main tujhe bahut zyaada miss kar rahi hun.”
Her sad expression affected me deeply. It was not any different in my case. But
at least I was with my family, but that poor soul was struggling to adjust
miles apart from her home. But we knew that time will heal everything. It’s
been years that we haven’t met but I am happy that she is doing well in life
and has fine-tuned everything. I am happy that she is happy. Now she has become
calmer, friendlier and easy-going. We still discuss everything but on phone and
not face to face. She tells me about all her friends, her everyday life there
and the hardships she faces sometimes. She is the first person to read my blogs
and give me a sincere review. I had friends before she was my friend, I have
friends after she is my friend but I think I won’t get anywhere else the kind
of companionship I got in her. Company does matter, and I realized this with
her. We share n number of unforgettable episodes. Everyone admired our
friendship, right from our juniors, our classmates to our teachers. We would
always be found in each other’s company. Surbhi-Neha was one name then. We were
great as a team. The projects we did together, functions we hosted together
were appreciated by one and all.
Though life has changed a lot now and we are not in the same
city but our bond has only strengthened. She has always inspired me to do better in life. I am glad that I have a friend
like her, an inspiring friend. The time that we spent together is beyond price to me and I am going
to value it all my life. I love you Neha.
( P.S - And to the other best ‘Neha’, my other
childhood best buddy – tere liye next wala pakka :D . These NEHAs have engulfed my life I
tell you. And I like it. Optimism you see. )
