Nostalgia

The past one year was dotted with moments of depression. Wave after wave of panic, fear and anxiety hit us, as we realised that this was it. Our last few days together. That in a matter of mere months we were to step out of the place we’d called home for the past 14 years, out into that big, bad world of college admissions and jobs and incessant slogging. Hysterical laughter led to tears, then depression, then desperation and sad sighs. Crazy games, never touched after class IV, came back with a bang, and suddenly 12th standard students were running around playing ‘vish-amrit’ and fighting over whether ‘bhaalu’ was an acceptable animal in ‘Name-Place-Animal-Thing’. Songs were sung and dedicated to each other. Every lunch eaten in the second period became more special, every bit relished with an increasing sense of satisfaction. The one trip to Corbett as enjoyed as if everyone was facing a life-sentence back in Delhi. Every party became crazier, every dance more uncontrollable. I love you’s and I miss you’s were exchanged with batch mates and juniors alike. Promises were made to always stay in touch, no matter where life took us. A sense of finality prevailed. Sad smiles as we shut the door on our class the last day. Tears at the farewell were yet to come.

I probably won’t sound too credible saying this, having spent a life of 17 years, of which 3 were almost incoherent, but I can somehow say with a strong sense of assurance that these 14 years were indeed, the best years of my life. Selfless friends who were ready with a dagger to stab anyone who ever dared to hurt you. ‘Enemies’ over laughable, innocent disagreements. Fights that got dealt with quicker than they happened, and laughter that simply never ended.

The world out there is complicated. Everyone has egos to nurse, interests to protect, motives to support. Out there, there probably exists no such thing as a ‘true friend’. But I do know that I found my true friends for a lifetime here. Arriving late for maths class and then demanding poetry sessions. Making a list of the stupidest songs humanity ever came across. Tears spilt over crushes, laughter over the daily dose of chicken rolls. Walking around aimlessly. Enjoying the weather from the ramp. Having paper plane fights. Playing dumb charades for movies the world will never see. Cracking the worst jokes in the world and dying laughing. Falling from the bed. Running in the rain. Dancing like wild ducks. Parenting a plant. Storming the Home Science lab after every cooking session. My 2AM calls. Friends who could stay up all night just to make sure I was alright. Who would drop into my home and sprawl on my bed and order me to get them something to eat. Friends who care about me not because they have something to gain, but who care simply because they do.

And this is what I’ll miss the most. The school campus, the hangout zones, the teachers, the events—all of it is obviously a part of the beautiful memories. But then, what would all of this have meant, without those crazy, crazy people I call my friends?