It was a warm, breezy, evening as we settled in on her back porch. The wine, the conversation, the tears and the laughter flowed freely. We reminisced about the good times and our many travels. We choked back the tears as we spoke about the journey ahead. How does one ever come to terms with inevitably losing someone they love? There are no easy answers. Life can be so cruel sometimes.
Over the past fifteen odd years, we built our friendship over multiple evenings, like the one last night. I had forgotten how much we connected on a human level, how much fun we always have when we are together, and how much I missed these crazy evenings.
Some of us are just lucky that way — we have friends who make us better people. She certainly did that for me. I am well aware that most people never understood our relationship. Somehow, we never felt the need to explain ourselves.
As the clock inched towards midnight, we sat on her front steps, as I waited for my ride. For a minute, she leaned her head on my shoulder, and I affectionately put my arm around her. There was nothing more to be said. This memory will stay with me, long after she is gone.
About Hemant Rustogi