Chapter 5 : F.R.I.E.N.D.S

“So no one told you life was going to be this way.

Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, you’re love life’s DOA.

It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear,

Well, it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

But, I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.

I’ll be there for you, like I’ve been there before.

I’ll be there for you, cause you’re there for me too…”

My favorite TV series of all time. I enjoyed it growing up, I enjoy it with my son, and I am sure I will enjoy it while growing old. As I had mentioned before I never had anything Bengali in me (that’s highly my opinion) except being a fan of Dada, so while growing up my friends had dreams of being a scholar, scientist, doctor, engineer, working for the big $$$$$ and leading a philanthropic life. I wanted to report wars and don’t know when while I was fighting the battle with the middle-class Bengali attitude of mine, I had a secret dream to become a stand-up comedian. I still do. I knew even if no one turns up my three musketeers will. One will have a gala moment at the bar before the performance and will laugh louder than I speak, the second one will judge and give me feedback on where to improve while my third musketeer will be so proud of me to be doing what I love.

          My first musketeer – my friend from school, have known each other since we were 5. There was so much in common between us (only thing now I can remember is us being an only child – no siblings) and at the same time we were so different (as I said I can recollect there was only one thing common, however this line is perfect for the flow of this introduction so let me use it). In India, where competition is utmost and for everything from getting your first tooth to coming first in university, our friendship was unique. I competed with the whole world including myself but with her. She would fall in and out of love at the speed of Michael Phelps’s freestyle and then we would share a deep moment recollecting and crossing off boys that are not at all up to her standard. I knew when I would stand up on the podium trying to entertain the crowd through my jokes she would whistle, Clap, and cheer so loudly that the audience will be compelled to follow her. I also know that her cheers are not driven by my hilarious jokes but the bottles of hard liquor that she got entertained by before my ultimate performance.

          My second musketeer – friend from college, with whom I am still very close to. We share a laugh over Facetime if we can catch each other over the two continents, we always check up on each other when natural calamities and Pandemic numbers grow in our countries, and we chat. That’s the simplicity of our relationship. We shared a very special year in our Masters. While I was still struggling to find myself in a new country, she was always there for me, whether driving me back in her red Beemer or joining us for our first housewarming or be it the first one to visit me when my son was born. Okay, to be honest she not only was there in my happiest moments, but she was like a true friend there when I needed some one the most and without any question. She swooped in when I was spending my birthday alone to take me out for dinner, she lend me her shoulder to cry on when I was going through a very rough time in college. She made me the best upside-down fruit cakes and taught me how to whip cream. She is for me the best baker who can create a recipe that will make your negative emotions positive.

          My third musketeer – he is super handsome, super witty and extremely loveable. I have known him since his birth and we have had this weird connection where we did not really have to tell each other what we are feeling, we just know. There are days when his hug is all I need and there are days when his anger makes most sense. Then there are days when we fight and there are days when we sit in the couch and eat Cheetos while watching something utterly silly. It’s funny since he always praises me and at the same time pushes me to test out my limits. Our likes and dislikes are very different, but we somehow enjoy each other’s company. Okay this whole life chapter is from my perspective so hard luck if he does not feel like this as I am putting it down in words, this is what everyone is going to read and know.

          All the three musketeers have been there for me at different stages in life. They are not friends out of “Three Idiots” (or Gossip Girl as reference to my non-Indian friends). They never tried to change me instead they challenged me. They held my hands at times and pushed me when it was needed. They let me cry out when times were hard but also cried out loud when I had it too easy. I had introduced you to my machines before and now meet my people.