My shining stars

Somehow, and I hate to admit it, I think I’ve turned into a pessimist with time. Someone once told me I was the queen of optimism. Just like time heals wounds, it creates new ones too… oh, there I go again! In all the cynicism, there is a part of me that has been lost. I don’t know if we realize, but in our everyday drama of combating through life, we often don’t value the presence of those who matter the most. We often take them and their presence in our lives for granted… that’s what love does to us, I suppose. But, it’s never too late, and here’s one for all the ones who mean heaps to me. I love you all boundlessly. I don’t have to name anyone; you’ll know who you are.

• Despite all the tantrums, the late nights, the arguments, the pig-headedness, there cannot be another who has loved me more than you have. Thank you! I know you are someone who will be by my side, come what may and I can only be eternally grateful to you for that. My debt to you is my entire life as there hasn’t been a day in it that you haven’t been a part of. You’ve been my pillar of strength through thick and thin; I derive that will only from you. I only hope I can be as inspirational and supportive to my kids when my time comes. I love you.

• Thank you for all the belief you instill into me, just by believing in me the way you do. I love how robust your faith in me is, and I promise to make you proud, always. You made me believe in the impossible and back myself always; I owe my belief in achieving the impossible coming true only to you. Thank you for being the eternal optimist and keeping me affirmative perpetually. I love you!

• I know I gave you heaps of grief when you were younger, but my life would be so colourless with you. You are my support system, you keep my secrets, hug me when I’m low, kiss me when I’m asleep,  give me advice, have my back and the best part – you let me be me. Thank you, baby! I love you so much.

• I love you for being so inspiring and going out of your way to do things for me. You are my Santa Claus – 2, and have been for as long as I can remember. You have always been my guiding light and you make me feel so, so loved. I hated how you would keep kissing me when younger, but now I know how much you loved me. I remember your friend ‘Piggu’ telling me that you had made such a big deal about me coming over to see you and kept telling everyone who would listen. I love you so much.

• You remember the times we used to prank call people? Yes, we did! You’ve always been my partner in crime and I can’t forget that night we stayed up watching that lame movie – Judaai - bawling!! I will never forget that toast we made to each other, and that epic fall we had together. You have been a very important part of my journey… through thick and thin, I know I can count on you. Thank you! You always make me feel stronger than I really am. Mwah!

• When I first met you, I didn’t ever think you’d become such an important part of my life.. but you have. You have always supported my million ideas, desires and have pushed me to do everything I have always wanted to. You’ve been my voice of reason, my light during dark times, my support when I was weak and my comfort at all times. All the times I’ve had with you will always be special to me…especially those 25 minutes we made the most of, when we were supposed to be doing something else! I loved how you came to see me despite being ill when you got back from Chennai and even you coming to drop me off before I left to Colombo. I love how special you made me feel throughout our time together; I’ll never forget any of that. You got me to believe in things I never did when I met you. Thank you so much! I love you.

• We’ve known each other for almost 10 years now… and yes, we need to celebrate next year! I loved your birthdays back in the day and loved all the randomness. I don’t think I has as much fun as I’ve had with you, ever again. Those times were just insane! I still have that letter you wrote to me – which I found crazy hard to believe, but I’m just glad nothing has ever changed between us. I love how I can forget everything with you and even if we’re away for a while, we start off from where we left. Thank you for bringing immense joy into my life.

• I can’t forget your accident and how we got through that. We went through different stages in the last 10 years, but did together. It has been lovely having you be a part of my life the way you have been. You are now officially, the one person I’ve known for the longest in Hyderabad. You’ve only made my journey easier sometimes by just being there. You believed in me and my abilities and always pushed me in the right direction. All the times I called you for advice, you had it ready. You taught me to love…Thank you.

• I hated you, and you know it. But I’m so grateful we could get over it all to share something so special now. All the times you were my driver, my shoulder to cry, a cheapskate of a chap, will always be special to me. I’ll never forget you tipping all your whiskey into my glass when I wasn’t looking. I’m glad we went through similar things at similar times; just helped us be there for each other when needed the most. I’m super happy to have been with you through the years and want our bond to last forever. Thank you for being such an important part of my life.

• You have inspired me always by being so strong and pushing through everything you have been through. You always called me a go-getter, and most of the times it’s you that gives me hope when I’m in the dumps. I love how supportive you are of everything I do. I loved how interested you are in ‘my project’ and whether or not anybody likes it, you will. I just know. I loved our essay emails and our conversations. I love you and am so glad to have you.

• You were my second mother and I loved every minute that I spent with you. The other day when you said I was your sister, it moved me. You make me feel your own and always have. I have immense love and respect for you. You are one of those special people I want to have in my life come what may. Thank you!

• I love the fact that despite meeting years later, we kicked off so well. I loved spending time with you when we’d come for the weekends. Your ghost stories were lovely.. But I didn’t know then that we would share such a special bond today. That all-nighter we pulled off drinking will be one of my fondest memories with you. I think you’re the perfect role model to have and the way you push me into making things happen, you’re amazing! I am so glad to have your backing and guidance – I know I can count on you. Thank you for being my guiding light in times when I have needed it the most. Your outlook on life is akin to someone very special to me – and you know who. Thank you! 

• I love you more than you have ever known.. I’m just so so glad that we went to that concert together and the last memory I have with you is one of you kissing me goodbye. The time I spent with you that afternoon and how we laughed at lunch, will be one of my fondest memories, ever. I’ll never forget all our junction meets, the day I met you at Firangi Paani and asked you if you got a tattoo just by hugging you and you asking me if I can see through your clothes (lol), all the secrets, all those dreams we shared, all the tripping on the poor chap, you spending time at home like it was your own and of course, your call from HRC.. I miss you so much. I just regret not telling you all this before it got too late. Thank you!