Companions (FRIENDS?)

Is it the endless conversations, the childish prattle and pranks, hopping on bikes and raring to go on a long-awaited holiday, sharing drinks and cigarettes- choosing them over a long evening of conversation, checking off items on the mile-long shopping list or generously showering love or pulling each other's leg over Facebook page(s), that makes for a good friend these days?

Good Question. Rhetorical to an extent. The reason being that not many would find any fault with the above mentioned definition of a friend. Yeah, surely the above mentioned endeavours are fun and the 'in' thing to do. But, after a long day of getting a thrill from rides and meandering on unknown lanes, one cannot easily switch off the countless thoughts running in one's mind- fears, jealousy, love, pain, complexes and insecurities. Everyone of us has a continuously nagging set of questions buzzing in the mind and trying to swat them with our so-called group of companions, may work for a while. How long does that 'while' last, is the question.

I have grown up with a set of friends who have been my companions and friends too, even though companionship may not have lasted forever, the friendship HAS. Yes, we have been each other's family and are not ashamed to say so. And trust me this statement is not to garner empathetic awwws from the sugar-coated candy flosses walking around with a set of fashion statements who might be there for strutting around in high heels and in high society but not in the periods of lows.

We do not shy away from chiding the other person or even arguing. We would rather do that than mocking them behind their back because that is what relationships are about- confronting the problems and setting them right, no matter if they seem like a dog's stiff tail in the beginning. Yes, friendships have been about shopping, hogging and sleepovers but also about endless conversations about the stuff that is important, whether boring or non-boring. We have never been allowed to venture out on our own and pack our bags for an unannounced trip and we hold no grudges about that. We have grown up together and grown at the right age rather than being consumed by fads.

Well, I guess teenage is all about thrills and frills, stumbling and accepting our true self over a period of time. Even I have made many mistakes but have not hidden my embarrassment beneath a crimson shade of rouge. Me and my friends have made it a point to accept, forgive and move on, no matter how torturous it may have been. But, we have always chosen to help the other person rise above their lows and if needed we have lied down with them in the pit just to listen and gradually get out of it when they feel that it is the right thing to do.

It is disheartening to see a bunch of companions(friends?) forget that laughter can be the best thing in the world, the biggest high when sharing it with friends. The speed of mean machines has taken over the speed of a bicycle race but has it taken over that contentment as well? The height of swings have been reduced to childish ignorance since we have learnt to snort a new high. Pains are no longer cried over or attended to since we have chipped finger nails to crib about and make-up to be plastered all over in a failed attempt to hide what is going on beneath.

There may be many options to experiment with and learn from but as long as they are explored with friends and not just a bunch of adrenaline-seeking junkies, everything should be alright. It will be alright. Explore. Enjoy. Laugh. Stumble. Learn. But, with friends.

Thank you all my friends who have helped me realize from the very beginning that it is all about being wasted and wrecked with the right ones sometimes than seeking thrills with the wrong as friends might accompany you and motivate you but they will not let you destroy yourself behind and whim and fancy.