"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." - Chanakya
Tales and stories about friendship are told time and again to us by our elders to let us understand the true meaning of friendship. I still remember R.K Narayan's Swami and friends, the story of the crab, crane and the fishes, the story of a lame and a blind guy and much more. Such stories help us know how friendship should be and how valuable true friends are. Every story based on friendship tells the fact that true friends are gifts of God and One should not let small disputes and misunderstandings strain friendships.
But is all this true in the context of today's life?
Do we still value friendship as much as it ought to be?I need to share an incident few days back.
I went off to an old friend today for some work and I was a bit shocked to see him. I last met him in February, almost nine months ago and since then we had no connection. I got busy with my CA thing and he got busy with his work. He is 23, a MBA from Symbiosis and works with a MNC in Gurgaon. He was a 'work hard-party harder' kinda guy then and now he lay there like some devdas or something. He was a stud and always had girls drooling over him. He always remained clean shaven and always loved to flaunt his perfect fit body, his new branded clothes and his Honda civic. I went over and he opened the door only after several attempts. He faked a smile and said a hi to me. I saw around as his room was completely in a mess, he hadn't shaved for over two weeks now and had been smoking and drinking since morning. The room smelt foul and had too much negativity engrossed in it. As soon as i entered he offered me a seat and hinted that the packet of my documents was kept there. Polite way of saying fuck off. I was about to leave but couldn't. Once so cheerful guy turned into this stage had a story behind it and i was too keen to know it. I stopped and asked him, "You mind if i share a smoke?". He shooked his head and I rested my ass on that couch. Ten minutes passed and I initiated the chat, "You wish to share anything Bhaiya?" He dint respond. I started again and said, "Maybe you'll feel better bhai. let it go" He dint respond till then. I got up and decided to leave when he narrated:
I have taken a day off from work today and I wish I hadn't. I am so used to this busy life of mine now that this sudden ease haunts me now. I feel so lonely and it kills me now. I feel like one of these walls. I always had a bunch of friends around me. We would live and die for each other. Now, there's no one to bother about.
Last March my mother died of Cancer. She left and I felt so helpless. All my Dad's and my reserve went into her medication but sadly we couldn't save her. I was in that filthy smelling room when she passed away. The few last words exchanged are still engraved in my heart and haunt me till now. She just asked me to leave and I told her that if the pain is unbearable, you must leave Maa. She last told me that she was holding on only because of me and then she breathed her last breath. I cried and it was too tough in the initial days but I became mature and overcame it. Dad helped and I got back to business.
During this while not a single friend of mine came to comfort me. A few formal messages and that was all. Not a single one came up and met me. Even the BFF's dint bother. I thought they might be hooked with something else and chose to ignore. Their sympathy was something I never wanted but a bit Care was expected. I had lost my Car until then. My i-phone was stolen meanwhile and I chose to buy a cheaper Nokia phone. Our financial condition was even more ruined as Dad's name got involved in the 3g scam and life went from awesome to shit. Everyone knew what i was going through but no one bothered. We did swear to be friend's forever but it turned to 'fuck you, whatever!' I loved my group of 5 the most but they all turned faces. I even came to know that they made fun of me behind my back. Life was a bitch, I knew but it would fuck me this way was something I never Imagined. Months passed and things, apart from my friendship got better. I worked for my Dad and he's safely home today without any charges. Tears drop down his cheeks as he speaks all this. He was deeply hurt and life had been mean to him. I felt bad, too bad!
Life is back on track career wise now. Dad is happy for me. I am successful but there is something missing. There's a lot of unanswered questions in my heart which are never gonna be answered. I have a grown a belly and my looks have deteriorated. I miss them but i still don't believe they turned out to be too mean. All they craved were for my money and my status. They were such bastards and I, such a fool. I feel he just experienced the bitter truth and that's how it always is.
I told him, "that's life brother". He nodded. We dint talk for 15 minutes. There was pin-drop silence in the room. He had a bit of smile and look of contentment on his face after that. He had learnt much more about life and he had learnt it the hard way. I told him to freshen up and we went for a long drive on the karnal road that day. He smiled, after months, he said. He thanked me for being there and listening to him. I told him, I was always there. We had dinner at Haveli and returned.
We met a week later and he was back to what he was. He joined gym, trimmed off his beard and flaunted his spikes again. i was happy to see him cheerful. Life was back to him but I think friendship has gone from our lives.
Me, you, it's the same story for everyone. :)
*deep sigh* as i sign off.
