Ours is a simple story. A friend back from college reconnected out of the blue and we hit it off right from we were left. It was fantastic, feeling nostalgic and reliving old memories. It is a friendship that stood the test of time and distance. A real ‘bro’mance, if you know what I mean.
We met and work happened. However, what was more interesting was the fact that he was Cupid in my life. Over a few beers one of the days, a conversation was struck about love, life and everything in between. He casually remarked, “I have someone in mind who I think you will hit it off with. Why don’t you meet her…she stays in the town itself.” I did detect the wry undertone of the whole South Mumbai snooty. Invariably it happens, south Mumbai versus the rest of Mumbai…I don’t know why (I do know). Mumbai is a world in itself, comprising of several smaller but equally relevant worlds. Some you want to go to…some you want to avoid. Some nearby and some very away, about the same amount of time it would take to travel to a nearby country!
He introduced me to K. It was an instantaneous connection, like fish to water. We both sort of realised immediately of the natural closeness and fondness we both experienced. After speaking a few times on the phone, we decided to meet. A classic cliché, for coffee. The moment I picked her up, I felt a vibe. In fact, we both have often discussed how we both sensed the palpable electricity between us like a special portal opened up whisking us to a place where there are only two inhabitants, us!
The best part was, it was effortless with K. As she and I grew comfortable with each other we saw numerous shades to each others’ personalities. I fell in love, all her shades, lighter ones and darker ones alike. The hallmark of any relationship is trust and acceptance. I’m glad I found in her someone with whom I have that.
The meetings went on and on and the attraction turned to love. The irony is, amidst the vastness of Mumbai, K happens to stay a few buildings away from me! A stone throws distance. It’s another nugget that I’m sure will never get old. I went far and wide, traversed the vastness of this maximum city only to find someone who is literally an errand away. Life is full of such little surprises. I mean hey, it beats travelling and fighting traffic and heat and potholes and god knows what else. It can’t be more comfortable than that. All my life choices have been from a position of me seeking comfort and convenience. I am glad my K fits it too.
After several heartbreaks, I was glad and truly grateful for her. Certain emotions I felt were truly remarkable. I felt she is someone I wanted to keep hanging with and relished the lingering sensations of her presence. She also had her own roller coaster of a personal and professional journey. Upon hearing and sharing with each other I realised, that she is a fighter. She faced many a daunting challenge in her life but it didn’t let the warrior spirit in her dim. On the contrary, it stoked it even more.
Apart from that, what is uncanny are the many similarities we have. A lot of the small things we do are very relatable. We both have similar styles of compulsiveness when it comes to certain areas of our lives. In fact, our journeys are also alike. We both shifted from the field of finance to the service industry. I am now a voice artist and she is a fantastic pilates and barre instructor. We often joke, “You came to fix my back and my life!!”
Like gravity drawing you in, we were being drawn toward one another. We expressed our feelings amidst lots of joy, laughter and love and in no time, we became one.
On a side note, I can’t thank my friend enough and his best came when he was hammered and tipsy. So I tell him, let’s keep getting drunk.
Keep falling in love, it is the best feeling ever.
