Dear Best Friend, It's Your Birthday in 8hours.

Isha Maniar,
It's your birthday in 7 and 1/2 hours. You're turning 18.
Now you can buy us cigarettes legally.
And drive, when you finally learn. Even though I won't let you. Women drivers, you know how I feel.
Now you can tease me, about still being 17.
You can have sex, legally.
You're all grown-up, and pretty. I feel like your Mommy. Coz just today, we went through our old photus, and trust me when I say, we were ugly back then. Now you're pretty, and smart, and all set to be a hot lawyer. But you're still my best friend. I've changed too. We've changed, but the friendship hasn't. Won't.
I don't laugh so hard with anyone.
I wouldn't sing songs from Kaante about cigarettes with anyone else. No one else I know, makes evenings so peaceful, with just the smoke around us. Silence is comfortable with you, not awkward.
If it wasn't for you , smart conversations wouldn't happen, and I'd lose out on intelligence. Not to mention, an extra family would be lost.
Every year, something messes up your birthday.
This year, I'm trying extra hard to make it perfect.
Coz the trash is out of your life. And you're with someone who deserves you. And I rarely think anyone deserves you.
This year, and for the years to come, we'll make our birthdays perfect.
And we'll honor our pact. We'll be there with each other for every birthday.
I promise to fly to whatever part of the world you're in, to see you on the 26th of November, every year.
And if someday, some husband kicks up a fuss, I'll dump him for you.
But you must give me cake.
Every year. And if I get fat, don't tell me, tell me I could stand to gain some, and make me eat cake.
And I'll make you feel special, and prized every year.
Coz though I don't say it much, I'm lucky to have you.
And since I'm not good with I love yous, I'm trying today.
I love you. Very much.

Neha.
:*

Of Mysore Pak, And Easier Days

She's come home finally. She was just gone a week, and yet I missed her coz it was the holiday season and I associate the holidays with her.
I'm talking of my best friend. The one I've had since 8th grade, the one who makes me laugh till my tummy aches, the one who I love as if she were a part of me.
If it hadn't been for the class teacher in 8th grade, who didn't want me sitting with Isha, I would have probably never spoken to Urmi. Then I sat next to her, and I'd sing verses from Eminem's songs till she wanted to stuff socks in my mouth to shut me up! And in a month, she'd gone from being just some girl, to my best friend. We cemented it the next year, when she stuck by me, when I needed it the most. We've been through the emotional up and downs of the bad boyfriends, and the worse break-ups. It's never changed. We've grown up, we've become different people, with a new, completely different set of friends. We're studying in fields, the other does not understand. It doesn't matter. We see each other once a week, sometimes lesser. Coz we're both such busy people now. We're always in college, doing this, and writing that, and studying this, presenting that. But when it comes down to it, she's still my Ibni, and I'm still her Lalu. (don't ask)
Every year, during Navratri, I go to the Durga Puja with her. Not because it holds a special interest for me, but simply coz its with her. During Diwali, my Mommy makes sweets with her in mind. Every year when the Mysore Paks are made, she says, have I made enough for Urmi also?
Its lonesome this year. She had her examinations during the Durga Puja. And she was in Kolkata during Diwali. The holidays aren't the same without her. Mumbai's not the same without her.
I saved Mysore Paks for her. Coz then it'll be Diwali for me.
She doesn't have to know every detail of my days, she doesn't need to call me everyday. That's not our love. Our love's just there. Its a connection. If it was anyone else, I would have forgotten all about the person ab tak. But not her.
She's finally home. Mumbai already seems happier.
I'm not cribbing, but I miss the days, when you were around me all day, and we'd bunk class and go sit at Barista. They were easier.
But still, you're home. And I'm happy.

Much love.
(:

9th Grade.
I've never seen us happier. Right here, are the most genuine smiles ever.

10th Grade.
I'm grinning this way, coz I know, that wherever we go, I'll always love you this much, as will you

We grew a little older, and a lot prettier together.

You'll never agree, but you look adorable here.
Ibni. <3