An Ode To A Dear Friend

Dear One,

Do you think, struggle and fun can go hand in hand? Can you afford to smile when you don't have a single rupee in your pocket? Can you laugh at yourself and the whole world, that never leaves no stone unturned to ridicule you at every turn?

Well, I did all that and much more. That's because I had my best friend around me, so I really didn't care. We laughed at every incoming setback and made it miserable for misery itself. Nothing negative could touch us in spirit as we flew way above normalcy and worldly conventions. Those were the days of true freedom, where we experimented with diverse mediums, to find our life's purpose and soul findings. And we did succeed in some and bombed miserably in many. But the reward was when we realized that challenges does make us better and not bitter. And the best part was, we faced life and it's challenges together, like brothers in arms. This is my friend's story, which merged itself beautifully into mine too. It is our story.

Vicky, as I knew him then (Now he spells his name quite differently :) was a vagabond spirit, who wouldn't allow the world to tie him down to any fetters of love, life or sex. He aspired to fly high and still does; the only difference is, he has now discovered his own wings to carry him high. Blood boiling with youthful vigor, and a mind soaring high in a creative cocaine rush, I met him in a cyber cafe and that was a beginning of a wonderful camaraderie and friendship, that was to continue for a long time to come.

Being a true blue Bengali, his mind was sharp and witty to a point that it could cut across many impertinent egos. But he also had an impudent childlike charm that made him a fine child-man. He was just 17 then, but had a mind that was way above his age or Bohemian looks.

On the other hand, I was a well "matured and reserved" individual, coming to terms with my constant flights of unemployment and heartbreaks. A stray note of gratitude changed the way we both saw situations and people; and in that very instant, we forged a mutual friendship that hinged on respect and admiration for each other. Friendships are formed in an instant, however life long ones are forged in the fires of doubt, faith and disappointments .

Ever thirsty to know more and much more, he was a prodigy of sorts and that challenged me to live up to his expectations. The whole scene was becoming more like an younger sibling looking up to the elder one for inspiration and guidance. We had constant conversations, discussions and outright arguments over everything under the sun. Why, What, When, How and Where became his most potent weapons of self-knowledge. He made me don the robe of a Teacher, and he became a fit Disciple, fondly calling me "Guruji". He learnt from my answers, as much as I did from his pertinent questions. He was all-mind and I was all-heart which culminated in a concocted fusion of sorts. Doubt and Faith, co-existed in complete unprejudiced harmony and friendship. We were two different sides of the same coin, and yet our identities were a part of the same coin.

Enter Girl Friends.

We both fell in love with different girls (Thank Good God!) at more or less the same time and landed up being blissfully messed up, (and you guessed it right) at the same time. We consoled each other over our heartbreaks and laughed it out over our frequent goof ups. We were both like Siamese twins, conjoined in spirit. We worked in the same Organization, we chucked the job together for a different Organization, later we experimented with our own Organization, wrapped it all up within a year, because we ended up completely disorganized - having senseless fun most of the time and no money at all times.

Then one day, it all faded away as mysteriously as it had all started. Career and work took precedence over mindless fun. We went different ways in search of our destinies, to be led far away from each other. We made new friends along the way and made newer pacts of commitments. Yet, the memories of our bygone friendship lingered all along the way, only to be rekindled recently by his re-discovering me out of the blue.

Friendships lasts only as much as you want them to last. It cannot be swapped for someone else either, as you carry a reflection of your friend in you. That's the beauty of true friendship, your friend becomes a part of your living, lifelong memory. I must have made a thousand acquaintances over the years, but friends I have a select few and of them all you stand way ahead, my brother.

In honor of my very much alive and kicking friend and brother - Ari Sam. (Yeah! That's what he calls himself now)

In peace,

S.R

P.S - For the record, we never broke up, we just took a 14 year vacation.