When I watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S
season seven on Monica’s wedding for the first time, it brought a tear to my eye seeing Rachel cry
every time someone said, ‘wedding’. And right now, I can exactly imagine what she must have
been going through. My best friend is getting married next week and though I am
not with her at this moment, all I can think (read ‘dream’) of is the happy,
delightful and divine function that I am soon going to be a part of.
Attending a wedding is one thing
but attending your best friend’s wedding is definitely another thing by itself.
The heavenly music, colorful decorative flowers hanging on the walls, elders running
around, some for a reason, some for no reason, children dressed up and playing
around, some fighting to sit near the bride, some shying away from the camera,
and finally the beautiful bride, glowing with happiness and blushing as she looks at the groom. I
remember I hardly ate anything at my sister’s wedding. My father had gone into great
pains to include special sweets in the menu that my family loved (‘suggested’
that is, final decision was made by yours truly) but, on the three consecutive
days, I touched little food, beyond myself with excitement and hardly being
able to contain it. Weddings, especially of those who are close to me, do that
to me. I get so incredibly happy that all I can do is cry. ;) Magical, that’s what
they are.
And now as the D day nears, it
makes me more emotional than ever. Ms. A, as I will call her, has been my best
friend for 6 years, and though we have had some hard times, have gone out of
touch for a few months, and been a little too busy for awhile, we have always
had an intense connection, a sense of belonging that come what may, refuses to
vanish (no complaints there though).
Ms. A, soon to be Mrs. A; I have argued
with her, teased her, made her cry, fought with her shamelessly for the ‘window-seat’,
(embarrassing as it may sound, but to be accepted at this juncture), but I
always, always knew that she will forever be my best friend. Every time my mother
told me that A had called to wish them for a function, or their anniversary or
someone’s birthday, all I could tell her was, “How does that woman remember
everything?!” She is beautiful, in every way possible, with a generous heart,
and a kind smile that always made my day.
Have you ever had that one cheery
friend whom you could laugh with on anything? Who always knew what would upset
you, what would inspire you, who found your most ridiculous ideas extremely
interesting, who could easily find out whom you had a crush on, who could
understand you so well, sometimes you don’t even have to say it out aloud, she
would simply know it before you say it? If you did, you would know what I mean
when I say that Ms. A is that friend.
She was there when I wanted her to teach me something, she was there when I called
her in the middle of the night to scold someone who hurt me, and she was there
when I wanted to just blame and moan and complain like a baby. And she was and
will always be the only person in my life who could listen to me say the same
thing a hundred times. Honest,
genuine and extremely patient (with me :) ),
she would sit by me and quietly advise me on what I should have done and should
not have done. And come to think of it, my ‘should not have done’ list always
seemed to be really long. I remember all the times I dozed off in class, or
simply refused to listen to the teacher because I did not like him, she used to
patiently take notes and I used to patiently Xerox them. Someone, whom I could
always count on, someone who loves my parents as much as I do them, someone who
has and I know for sure, will always keep her word.
Before the wedding celebrations
begin, and I am thrown out of your room before I get to talk to you ;), I want
to let you know that I will always be there for you, to support you, laugh with
you and make fun of you. And as I watch you become a beautiful bride, and marry
your ‘knight in shining armor’ on your special day, I want to think of how we
have been and will always continue to be ‘best friends forever’.
