5/5 : A Special Day for Two Special Friends

People say that unlike family, friends are the special ones that we choose to share our lives with! But then there are those who are thrown at us and we befriend them without much calculations.

I met Neha when I was not more than 5 months old. Back then, I, for sure, had no idea what friendship was all about. Our parents were dear friends and that is how I met Neha.

We grew up together. Though in different schools, our report cards were compared every year. Each time we met, we would stand shoulder to shoulder and see who was talker. She was an early riser and I hated her for that because during her stays at my home, she always set standards by getting up early, which I could never match. All my 'My Best Friend' essays were written keeping Neha in mind and the fun part was that I did not know how to spell her last name 'Bajpai' and always had a new spelling for it ;)

Our friendship was like a fairy-tale of two friends glued together for life. The bubble burst when her dad decided to move to a different city.

After almost 18 years, we are back together geographically, for we never were apart at heart :)

This super awesome, fun loving, amazingly humorous and dear friend of mine will be getting married to her Prince Charming in a few hours. Though, I could not be a part of the ceremonies, my best wishes go out to the lovely couple.

I am sure you're gonna look stunning today :) Keep your smile intact! 

Waiting for you to come back in the new avatar! Love and wishes to you and Lokesh!!

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The other friend, Neeti, I met about 22-23 years back and since then I have held her as close to my heart as I possibly can, without choking her ;) We lived on the same street for years and shared every teeny tiny thing.  We have seen each other grow from kids, who ran around on the streets, fell and hurt their knees to teenagers who failed to understand the world. We have shared our dreams and seen our aspirations change with the change in the direction of the wind. We have stood by each other, even when we knew that the other one was wrong and then silently whispered into the ears- "Better get that thing straight, you fool!" From random crushes to serious love stories, we have traveled a long journey together.

We have exchanged comics, Secret Sevens & Famous Fives, Nancy Drews, Seventeens, Reader's Digests and Sidney Sheldons. We read and re-read the articles in Times of India's Sunday supplement to understand the 'Biggies' world better. We have cried on matters, which others were oblivious of, we have laughed out aloud on the silliest of things. We got our dolls married ;). We filled our under-graduation forms together. We drooled over the gorgeous lip colors and nail paints. Our wardrobes were always open for each other. 

And as I write this, my mind is flooded with memories of the most beautiful time I have spent with Neeti.

Wish you a very Happy Birthday Bestie!! No matter how infrequently we talk, no matter which parts of the world we are in... you are and will always be a friend to die for! 

A friend I long to talk to and can do that for hours! I don't care that you did not make it to my wedding, I'll be there for yours! 

Hope the day that we have been dreaming of since years comes soon... You stay on the ground floor and I on the top. You cook meals for our kids and I take care of their homework :)

Love you a lot! Stay fit, Stay happy!

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The 5th of May is marked important on my calendar for my two adorable friends - Neha & Neeti!!

Do you have a similar story? A friend close to your heart? One who is simply special?