We met after exactly four months.
Last time I saw her, she looked fresh like a juicy apple, her cheeks glowed and
her smile never faded. Now, she had that same rosiness, but there was something
about that smile- it looked more tired.
It was a
lazy Sunday afternoon. I took bath in a hurry and ran to the Marine Lines
station with my hair dripping wet. She stood on the main road looking for me. Her
eyes pressed into a thin crease as she strained against the sun overhead. Then
her eyes fell on me, and she smiled automatically. I walked faster and smiled
in response. Her smile had always been infectious. When I reached her, we did
not hug or exclaim loudly. We just smiled, exchanged a “hello” and I took her
large handbag and we set off walking again, back to my house.
That was our
friendship. My childhood friend and me- we never expressed our love for one
another, never bought fancy gifts for birthdays, and never remained in close
contact like besties do. But, we still shared a bond in which we shared
everything the moment we got down together.
Earlier our
talks used to be of college, parents, studies, shopping, latest fashion and
movies. Mostly we shared our world on either her or my scooty- a vehicle that
provided us the time to sit and ride wherever we wanted. This Sunday things
were different. She was a married pregnant woman and I was a stressed out
college student. We did share everything yet again, but, on my bed and not on
my pearl silver scooty.
She is one
and a half years older than me. But I never felt any age difference throughout
our childhood or adolescence. That age gap only broadened dramatically when she
got married in October last year. I realized this the moment we started
talking. I asked her about her life and she set off to describe the intricacies
of a married life. She lives with her husband and in-laws and is still coping
up with the hectic lifestyle that Mumbai presents. Her days are spent doing housework,
and when dusk approaches she waits for her husband to return. She has been
thinking of doing some job in order to contribute her share in the family’s
budget. But with her pregnancy, she knows she has to wait for a long time
before she can realize her dream.
Her thin
body has been bearing a seedling since four month. This February, she’ll be
five months pregnant. I felt weird. My stupid college talks and assignments
seemed meager in front of her family plans and pregnancy talks. She spoke about
how she had sudden urges to eat chocolates and how sometimes she felt
instantaneous hatred towards a food item. “That happens”, she said and I
nodded. It all went beyond my level of understanding. I obviously have never
tasted such an experience and watching my friend go through it felt as if it’s
me whose experiencing the joy of bearing a child.
We spoke for
hours about mundane issues and it registered how matured our talks had become.
From movies to silly crushes, we have now moved on to another level. Our talks
lingered on future job plans and busy lifestyle, pressure on our heads and our
efforts to cope up with them, current news and its impact on the society. Who
thought two silly girls would grow up to share the contrast that they share?
While one is a happy satisfied housewife, the other is a busy diploma student.
While one is worried about maintaining the monthly budget, the other is
spending carelessly on shopping. While one is about to become a mother, the
other is in the process of hunting for a job.
Our lives
were so similar previously, now they are poles apart.
But when I
think now, I’m glad we still share the same old bond of friendship! I’ve
learned lessons from her that no un-married friend could have taught- that is
selflessness and devotion to your own family.
