A Letter to My Girls Gang

Dearest Girlies,

It has been almost 9 years and a half when I first met you in the college hostel and the pain of separation from home instantly bonded us. I remember well how during the initial days we cried and cried and cried due to homesickness. Days passed and the newly found independence made us long for more. We enjoyed every moment in the hostel to the full. Bunking college for movies, late night outings, n number of restaurant hopping, movie marathon in one of our rooms, discussing our crushes, bitching about others, ganging up against a common enemy, oh the list goes endless.  We had our own shares of fights and tears. But there were always more ups than the downs. Today when I recall our tough times, it only brings a smile on my face. Wish I could go back to that time.

Four years and college was over. Ready for the separation, I remember well how much I had wailed in the train while on my way back home. Each and every day, I longed for you. We were connected by phone and internet, but the physical separation caused a lot of difficulty. Ultimately, when I received my joining at Trivandrum, I was in the seventh heaven to know that Sugandha, you were coming with me. It felt like an extended period of college. Going through the hardships of the real world, both as personal and professional front, I could not have asked for a better roommate. Three months flew and this time when I came to see you off at the station, I was certain happy days were over.

 A few weeks after coming to Delhi, I was again overjoyed when Rachs, you came there too. I was glad not be left out. With Sugandha and Sush being in Bangalore, you were my lifeline in Delhi. However, I knew we had to take time out of our busy schedule to catch up with one another. We did that and very well!! I remember our various outings on Saturdays and n number of meetings in the office where you would cry your heart out about how you didn’t want to stay in Delhi and I, about how a guy and I had a crush on each other but would not do anything about it… Evenings in the bus were dedicated to talking to you Sugandha. Discussing every day’s affairs, latest movies and songs, college gossips and what not, Delhi’s traffic seemed a blessing in disguise.

Life was going perfect when one day I was engaged. I was desperate to meet you all. I literally had to shed tears in front of my parents to come to Bangalore. 3 days and I was like charged for next 3 years. It was you who gave me the strength to walk in into my new life. I started talking to my fiancé and every time I talked to him, I wanted to tell you how I felt. Every time I was in any fix, you girls took me out of it. In due course of time, our daily talks reduced to once in two days as I was busy somewhere else. I know you might have felt jealous, or even angry. I had not taken any of you for granted. It was just that in the process of building a new relationship, I had to keep on hold, the already strong ones and I was sure you would understand me.

One fine day when I was married and had to move to Bhubaneswar, I realized there was no one here. No Rachna, Sugandha or Sushmita to comfort me. I had to deal with myself all alone. I was scared. However, all of you stood by me. My first fight with Vinod, my first cooking, my first celebration, my joy, my sorrow, anything and I shared them all with you.

Today, we have all moved ahead in life. You go for outings with someone else. I see your new set of friends in your life. I stay occupied with my life. We don’t even talk regularly. A good morning message on the group is all we do sincerely every day. However, when needed, I look out for you and gleefully find you by my side. We might not be up to date on our minute by minute activities, but whenever there is something that unsettles me, I come to you. Any problem with Vinod, parents over expecting, trouble I the professional world or even the monthly Pre-Menstrual Syndrome, it’s you who soothe me. 10 years and still counting, I don’t even know if this for the lifetime. You are the most prized possessions of my life today. You have grown to be more than friends during these years. You are the family I have CHOSEN and would always love to be with.  

Love,
Priyamvada