Old is gold

It was about 17 and half years back, I get into a classroom filled with brats like me. I look for a friendly face but all of them are huddled in their own group. Being the new kid in the block I was sent to school all by myself. I was thrilled, of course. But small moments like not being able to see even one kid who would come up to me and introduce me to his/her friends pulled me right back to reality. Uthpala ma’am introduced to the class and finally there were a few smiles directed towards me.

I still remember distinctly, how this particular girl looked at me with her rolly round eyes and flashed me a big grin. Her two pony tails were bouncing behind her ears. This is when I decided to add another special person in my life other than my little brother (parents go without saying!) – Sriya Gopalakrishnan. Although not in the same class we became the best of buddies and so did our mothers. We moved into the next building of Chinmaya further down Harrington Road we landed in the same section in Class 1, 2 and 3. We celebrated birthdays together, climbed and slid down slides together, created mayhem in the playground. Our parents were obviously delighted of the fact that we had found each other’s playmates.

Unfortunately, happy things always come to an end at one point of time or the other. When we had to move to Taylors Road, we were separated. I have no idea how she felt then, but I felt like a fool. I did have friends in my new class, but nothing could replace her. We would meet every snack break and lunch break. I thought it would never be the same again. Surprisingly, we learnt to live with it and continued to be bum chums till class 8.

Then again, it was time for shuffling. Somehow in some corner of my heart I wished she was in the same class as I was. But of course, it did not happen.

See... Ever since we have been friends not once have we fought even for the fun of it. We were in class 10 and disaster strikes. For some god forsaken reason we fight. I do not remember thought what the reason was, but I know deep in my heart that it was for something extremely silly. 1 week passed by, 2 weeks passed by, she never calls me. Neither do I. That’s a different story. But she never makes an attempt. I finally broke ego shell around me and pick up the phone to call her. And she decided not to be there on that specific day. Anyway moving on, she finally comes home one fine day with her hand-made card and sweeps me off my feet. Trust me; the one month that I hadn’t spoken to her was something like hell. This was when I decided that I would never for once; let my ego come in between the two of us.

Sriya is a person I rely on for everything. May it be good/bad news she is the first one to know what it is all about. A non-judgmental soul who has always listened to me cribbing either about my parents or my life in general, she still continues to be a loyal friend after 17 and half years. The funniest moments, the sad moments, the scariest moments she has been a part of. And am sure she will be there for me no matter what. It will be the same from my side too. Siriya! I know for a fact that you know this! This is for you useless… yours truly – Smt... :)