Never Kiss Your Best Friend •L.S.•

Chapter 2

We all have friends, don't we?

But at some point of life, there comes a friend who, whether you are in school or college, helps shape you into the person you eventually become. 

At least I had that one friend. With whom I've shared my first smoke, my first sneak-out, got drunk for the first time and then let all of my fiercely guarded emotions and thoughts flow out without the fear of judgement. Or a speck of embarrassment. 

With him, I'd shared my darkest thoughts, he had broken the walls around my heart.

We broke the rules together and later, shared the repercussions too.

We shared many important experiences in life; be it heartbreak, moving on from exes, egging houses for revenge, nursing first hangover, first time violating the school rules, detention, sleepovers, etc. He was there. 

We hung out so much, our mothers also became best friends. And us, their sons.

All the school dances we attended, ditching the usual 'going-with-your-date' and instead choosing to go with each other.

All the comfortable silences, when we lay entangled on the bed, both too lazy to move.

When I learned the responsibility of having each other's backs, taking the blame even when you were not at fault, to save your best friend.

All the blanket-forts, the FIFA games, the football matches, the ice-tea breaks in between movie marathons that we had, seem so long ago.

The weird snapchat filters I'd use, while clicking pictures of him sleeping. And sending him selfies, just to annoy him.

We've had our share of laughter, crying and uncomfortable silences. 

We weren't perfect. No, far away from that actually.

We fought, we cried, we cursed each other. We screamed, we tackled each other. But, we always found a way out. We'd resolve every misunderstanding.

He helped me in ways, not even he knows.

He, unknowingly, saved me from myself. And maybe, I saved him. But, I can't say that for sure, now.

We all have friends, like that, right?

With that friend you've found not just company but companionship. 

With that friend you've lived, liked, loved, lost and learnt to live and love again.

With that friend, you've not just grown old but grown up. 

And, you may no longer be in touch with that friend.

That friend may not even be a friend anymore. Let alone, best friend.

But that friend continues to touch your life at levels you consciously choose to ignore. 

Harry was that friend in my life.

All these memories were locked away, in a deep corner of my heart.

But these memories never die. 

They just fade into time. 

And when they come knocking at the door of reality again, you strangely wish they continued to be a distant dream. Or locked away.

There was a time when I couldn't think of life without him. 

I had never been away from him. 

And then there was today, when I lived a life without him. Or at least am trying.

                                                                         ___

I find myself, with all these thoughts, sitting on the edge of the chair, still in the smoking lounge.