A promise and a birthday

In my last post, I had said that I would write about what a true friendship really is.
The best example I can think of is two of my husband's closest friends--Arati and KP, whom he was friends with right from the time he was a carefree bachelor. They have known him for more number of years than I have.They live in Delhi. He has so many stories with them, which I wasn't even a part of. I met them for the first time, about six months after I got married. They are one of the nicest, sweetest and loveliest people you will ever come across. I was proud and happy that he has such wonderful friends.

Today, sixteen years later (that is the time Satish and I have been married) we are still the best of friends. Their daughter is almost 18. She is a chip of the old block and she adores my two children as much as they adore her. When we were visiting India, from the UK, we stayed with them. At that time, their daughter Geetika, made a promise to my daughter, that on her birthday, she will be there with her to celebrate it, no matter whichever part of the world we are in. She would certainly come. This was way back in August last year.

My daughter would time and again tell me "Mummy I am waiting for my birthday..Geetika didi said she will come." I would gently remind my daughter that people do say things like that in the heat of the moment, but they forget later and she will be busy with her exams and she may not be able to make it. I was just being realistic as I did not want my daughter to be disappointed later on. My daughter would nod sadly and did not know what to say.

Today is my daughter's 10th birthday and guess what--yes, Geetika has flown all the way from delhi, just to be with my daughter! I am so overwhelmed by this gesture of theirs. Arati and KP told their daughter that she has to honour a promise made to a friend. Geetika has just finished her 12th standard and is busy giving her entrance exams--yet she has taken the time out to be with us, on my daughter's birthday. All to fulfil a promise made to a friend.

This is true friendship. It has stood the test of time. It continues to grow and there is an unbreakable bond here.

I am blessed indeed to have such friends in my life.

Happy birthday, my darling Purvi!