Her name is Happy

Posted on by Parul Thakur

You got it right. That’s the name very few of her friends know. Like her name, she is a happy soul. An ambitious, hard-working and a kind human being as well.

I first met her when I was a ten-year-old. Students of her section were split into the remaining two sections and there she was spreading her positive vibes and laughter in my class. We didn’t hit off from the day we met. We were different. While she was vivacious, I was quiet. She was fun to be around and I hardly spoke. I took time to see that behind her laughter was a soul that was kind and willing to lend a hand. I took even longer to see that she was making me laugh and trying to get close while I thought she was just another classmate who was idling away time.

Soon enough, we were friends –  close ones. Luckily for us, we stayed very close. So we also studied together, discussed nomenclature in chemistry and solved problems in physics. I liked visiting her house. They had a terrace and whenever the weather was good, I walked to her place. I never asked her if she was busy or had guests at home. I just went and that’s why many of her relatives knew me. I made her walk back to my place to drop me. I liked our conversations. Those between two teenagers who knew each other well. We celebrated our success and we shared our life’s little problems. 

When she chose to study Biology and I picked up Mathematics, I thought we will grow apart but that was just a subject. With other four subjects still the same, the bond grew stronger. We had now new things to talk about and then we started cycling to school together. Many times, she saved me from bumping into rickshaws or overtaking on the wrong side of trucks. I used to follow her and that was safe enough. 

Then started the rat race of competitions and trying to get into an Engineering and Medical college. We moved to different cities, kept in touch via letters and met in Azamgarh during festivals. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. That’s the friendship we share. 

She was my guardian angel and she still is. The year she lived in Bangalore was the time I knew what my weekend was looking like. Raining or not, VT and I would ride to her place to spend some time with her. 

Today she is my family doctor. For every little thing that goes wrong, she gets a call. Her opinion matters and we know she is the one who genuinely cares for our well-being. She is the friend, I can call anytime of a day and talk as much as I want. It never matters when we spoke last and who called. For over twenty years now, we have been more than just friends. Confidant, guide and support to each other. Miles apart yet close enough to know we care.

People walk in and out of life all the time. The ones who stay are family or friends. Hang on to those who accept you the way you are and celebrate the bond of friendship.

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From L-R, in 2009 in Nagpur, and in 2011 and 2012 in Bangalore. Happy us!

37 thoughts on “Her name is Happy”

  1. Happy. That is a cute nickname for your friend 🙂 Love the photos of the two of you – best buddies right there through so many chapters in life. The two of you may be different, but you put up with each other very well. “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” I love how you say this, Parul. Two people may not be related by blood but they can share a special invisible understanding bond that only speaks between the two – like you and your friend here. Many more years of friendship to come 🙂

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  7. Truly said mam.. The ones who accept you for what you are ..rare and need to be kept hold of all the time.

    In today day and age difficult to find such lovely people.. who will stand by you always..

    My best wishes to the both of you..

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  14. She has a very cheerful name and your friendship is wonderful. How long it has lasted! We often have great friends during school and college and then lose touch other than the occasional phone or card. It is wonderful that the bond you two share hasn’t weakened over time.

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  16. Wow! Reminds me of my friendship with my bestest friend of almost 25 years! In fact, our stories match, your and mine! I too would just go over to her place and after having our fill of gap-shap, I would ask her to drop me near my home (because there was this fear of stray dogs in our area and back then I was scared of dogs!) Today she is in the US. We meet once every year, or two, but the bond between us is as strong as it was all those years ago!
    Here’s to friendship! ♡♡

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  17. You are blessed to have such a treasured friebdship , Parul. I’m close with two of my school friends and even though we don’t meet so often and don’t talk every other day, when we meet and talk it’s like continuing from where we left off. Cherished friendships they are!

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  20. Pingback: Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You | Pain Pals

  21. What a lovely tribute to your friend and friendship! Thanks for sharing on Big Up your Blog! I have shared this link on Pain Pal regular feature Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You! Claire x

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