Friendship is about sticking with each other in all times; the real friends are the ones who stay

‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’

This has been taught to all of us when we were kids in school.  At that time, since we were naïve, I never thought it would be true. I thought this was just a saying.

However, as I matured with age, I realized this was more than just a phrase.

As I grew up and entered high school, I had many friends. And all of them were the best I could have. We used to study together, share our lives, hang out, and have fun. Being a frank person, I had friends in different groups. And somehow, I managed them all efficiently. I connected with all of them at different levels with our set of similarities and differences.

When I had to start coaching for the tough subjects, I ended up making the best of the friends there too.

This trend continued when I went to college. I had the best time of my life there. Since I was pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication, it was a necessity to be in touch with people and maintain friendships as journalism is all about networking and communication. Here again, I had friends in different groups.

Three years passed away soon. I then went on to do a post-graduate diploma in Public Relations. There too I had an amazing bunch of friends.  

Finally, when I entered the corporate world and started working in one of the top ten PR agencies, my friendly nature helped me. My colleagues turned my friends and my immediate boss was my confidante. Being a PR Associate, we had to approach the media to pitch our clients.  I ended up making some journalist friends too.

The best part is that every year on my birthday, my friend list and invitee list keeps on increasing. 

One of the remarkable things is that my cousins are my best friends too. Since I am a single child; we usually end up having same age group cousins as our best friends.

I am blessed to have them all. And trust me; all of my friends pamper me a lot. They make me feel special in their way and I try to reciprocate whenever and wherever I can.

My cousin, Betty once joked when my 25^th birthday was just around the corner, ‘’ Elizabeth, I think next year you will have to book an entire café or a banquet hall to celebrate your birthday. Every year your friend list is increasing and most of them turn up for your birthday. They all are a part of your special day and you too make efforts for them in your ways. Be it handmade cards, gifts, etc. It is so heart-warming to see you with your huge friend circles.  ‘’

I punched her lightly and asked her to focus on the birthday planning instead of messing with me.  

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Usually, people say that the more the number of friends you have, the less they are in quality. However, I disagree strongly with this.

They have been my well-wishers and have been happy with my success too. They have even provided the best possible advice for me to grow.

I remember once, I was unable to attend my friend's birthday as I had guests coming over at home. But they traveled one and a half hours to pick me up. Waited till the time I wrapped up my family dinner and took me to the party.

I have a huge friend circle and they have been with me in all my ups and downs, be it when my aunt passed away (Betty’s mother) or when my granny had a paralytic attack. They all stood by me through thick and thin.

What could I ask for? Rather anyone could ask for? - A loving family and a caring friend circle.

However, in the toughest time of my life, I realized how much they care about me and value me.

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I had to be hospitalized some time back. I wasn’t keeping well for a few months.

I wasn’t talking to anyone, was just confined to my room. They were shocked that a chirpy and happy go lucky girl like me was not stepping out at all nor talking to anyone.

Two months passed and my mother was worried. My condition worsened. My dad was out on a business trip. Betty came home as soon as my mom told her about me.

My mom thought of just one name who could take me to the hospital. She called Daniel. She knew he was the only friend at the present moment she could count upon in this time of need.

I had no clue what was in store for me. I was lying on my bed unaware of my surroundings. I realized it only when he came to pick me up to be taken to the hospital.

When I resisted, he said’’ You have to go. I am not listening no for an answer. It is high time now. I will pick you up and take you’’ and he swiped the sheet under me and picked me in his arms and took me to his car which was parked just outside my home.

He drove mum, Betty, and me to the hospital. He was there with them completing all the formalities and taking care of everything. He stayed for a whole two days, till the time situation didn’t improve.

He donated blood too since I needed a transfusion immediately. He informed my other friends about me being in the ICU. He knew most of them as he and I had been friends for long.

They came too and donated blood for me. I needed five units of blood and they all initiated to help.

They came to meet me in the ICU. Even if it meant meeting for just a minute since the visiting hour was just half an hour and the number of people waiting to meet me were more.

Betty and my other friend Sarah fought for me with the doctors too. Some miscommunication happened and the authorities weren’t sharing the exact details of my condition with my mother.

All three of them- Betty, Sarah, and Daniel stepped up and fought for me.

I got discharged after a few days when the doctors felt I was a bit stable.

All my friends kept on surprising me with visits or gift deliveries. They always kept a check on me via calls and texts.

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 A year has passed since I was admitted and I am healing and improving. They try their best to take out time for me in their busy schedules.

They motivate me and appreciate me for my will power and strength. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to heal had they not been there.

If I sit and count, I wouldn’t be able to narrow down at an exact number. I fret as it is will be on the higher side in double digits. And well, I fear me counting; will also jinx my friendship with them.  

The bottom line is that they are caring and loving and I love them too. I thank my stars to be surrounded by an amazing bunch of people around, on whom I can count always. For me, it has been not a friend but ‘friends in need’.

At each stage and step of my life, I end up meeting new people and the acquaintances transform into friendships which just strengthens with each passing year.  And I never want this to change. I never want them, me, or our friendships to change. The saying- everyone has a friend during each stage of life, but only lucky ones have the same friend in all stages of life is not applicable in my case. As I don't have just a friend but I have friends and my constants list has been increasing.

These friendships seem to be the only perfect things in this imperfect world.  And in fact, I want to have more friends as and when my life unfolds. As Anais Nin rightly said, ‘’ Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born, I am excited to live the new world waiting for me.