Memories

I was just thinking how long it has been since I have smiled. Not that I don't smile at all. Oh! yes, I always smile at the neighbour, the kids; when they get up in the morning, my husband; when he leaves for office but those are not what I call genuine or from the heart. I wish I could smile naturally without having to force myself to do it.

When I was in school my friends would always make me smile. We used to all be upto naughty tricks. Like the time we had a wrestling match in the corridor or the time my friend jumped out of the class window and right in front of the supervisor. Every celebration was an excuse to hang out at 'Pizza Hut'. Once there we enjoyed harrassing the waiters or pulling tissue rolls and tying it to the door(don't ask me why we did that). We even used to litterally poison each others drinks with ketchup, salt, pepper, mayo and whatever we could lay our hands on. One friend of mine even spitted in another's pepsi. I know that was gross, but we were young and everything was cool.

During the schools days friends were the only family I recognized. I loved going to school and hated coming home. Oh! I had no problems at home but I didn't really enjoy at home. Even at home we would spend hours over the phone until our ears turned red and hot. We even did most of our homework over the phone. Those days were magical.

My best friends then were Fatima, Alka and Susan. Fatima was and still is my strong support. She is my childhood friend and the first friend I have. She has been with me throughout my life. We've been friends for almost 25 yrs now. She understands me in and out. She knows me better than my parents or my husband. She's gone through a lot of sufferings and has lost two babies. But, I admire her strength. Inspite of her problems she is ever ready to help me with my silly woes.

Alka was a very sweet girl. She was forever ready to have fun. We became friends in 7th grade. Before that I never really liked her. But, afterwards I got hooked to her fun loving nature. We both enjoyed dancing and singing. Today, though she is too busy with work and frankly she seems like a changed person. I practically have no contact with her though we live only a two hours apart. But then I guess life goes on and frankly I have no regrets. She was such a lovely person and she instilled in me confidence to do the things that i liked. Though we both have gone our different ways I still remember her fondly as the sweetest friend I ever had.

Susan was a tomboy. A good friend but very moody. I could never understand her but I loved her carefree nature. I remember when we had a singing competition in school and she was supposed to sing in her coarse, harsh voice. Everyone started to laugh and that made her angry. She used abusive langusge and went away crying. We felt bad for her inspite of her angry words. After everyone had finished singing we called her back and when she started singing we encouraged her even though our ears were paining. But, what struck me was her confidence. She had a very bad voice yet she came upto sing. I loved her 'I care a damn' attitude. She was ever ready to sacrifice herself for her friends but after I went to India, I don't know when we drifted apart. Today, both Alka and Susan seem to have forgotten me. But, that doesn't hurt me though. I guess we all have to get on with our lives nad only the truest of all freinds will stay with you throughout your life.