Today, for no reason, I got reminded of a funny, sweet incident that happened couple of years ago. I had moved to a new city (read Cochin) and befriended a couple of people who were introduced to me by a common friend. There were meet ups, chit chats, dinner plans at random restaurants and bike rides which had become a daily routine. And this guy I used to spend majority of my time with had become quite close, though I didn't know of his past, present or future much. (Well, I generally don't ask people personal questions; if something had to be known, it will happen eventually, provided that relation is destined to go further - thats what I believe in and I 'judge' people by how they are to me, not how they used to be or behave with other people)
So, just like any other day, he dropped me back home after dinner and while I was busy freshening up and preparing for the next hectic day at office by around 12 midnight, I received his call. It was to inform me that another female friend of ours was in some trouble, and he wanted to go, be with her, but as she was alone at her apartment that night and his visit at the middle of the night alone may not be appropriate and other female friends aren't available, he asked me whether I could accompany him. I said yes. But something was bothering me from the inside. I even received a call from another female friend regarding the same, which was kind of convincing, but I somehow wasn't sure. What if he was trying to trap me? What if those were all preplanned? What if these females are also a part of the plan? I just couldn't stop thinking. But still, something else made me go ahead and accompany him to her apartment. Though I was totally scared, got convinced after I reached the apartment and saw her in a very disturbed situation. We spent that night in her apartment, taking care of her.
Couple of weeks later, while having dinner at our favorite chinese restaurant he asked me something unexpected, "I always wanted to ask you this, why did you come out with me that night without even thinking twice? That could have been a trap!" I replied, "hmmm.. Well. To be very honest, I was actually very scared and all sort of negative thoughts did cross my mind. But, somewhere inside I knew that this guy is not wrong and can be trusted".
That guy is now one of the closest friends I have and I am sure I fall into the same category in his list as well. He also by the way made sure that I never took such a step with someone else. :P
I could have given him an excuse and denied not to go with him. But that would have made me lose a chance of knowing gem of a peron. People are different and what we see, believe and expect may not be what we always get. I've had my fair share of good and bad experiences, but I always consider the risk part a good thing. I have shockingly known the evil side of people I always considered as angels and the good side of 'should I count up on this guy' - thanks to my willingness to take 'risk'. (The term risk here is relative) I have known that strangers can be more helpful and sometimes very good listeners than a close friend. I have also realized that people are not always what we think they are. And most importantly, it's not about who you have known the longest; its about who came, made a difference (in a good way) and denied to leave.
I am absolutely lucky to have a few gems as friends who had been tolerating me for ages, supporting through thick and thin, enjoying my company, worthy enough to share my deep dark secrets and passwords, and preferring to be around as friends even after numerous changes they had faced in their lives. That is what I respect the most and that's what I am trying to give them back. It after all takes a few seconds to lose someone and a lifetime to maintain a bond!
So, just like any other day, he dropped me back home after dinner and while I was busy freshening up and preparing for the next hectic day at office by around 12 midnight, I received his call. It was to inform me that another female friend of ours was in some trouble, and he wanted to go, be with her, but as she was alone at her apartment that night and his visit at the middle of the night alone may not be appropriate and other female friends aren't available, he asked me whether I could accompany him. I said yes. But something was bothering me from the inside. I even received a call from another female friend regarding the same, which was kind of convincing, but I somehow wasn't sure. What if he was trying to trap me? What if those were all preplanned? What if these females are also a part of the plan? I just couldn't stop thinking. But still, something else made me go ahead and accompany him to her apartment. Though I was totally scared, got convinced after I reached the apartment and saw her in a very disturbed situation. We spent that night in her apartment, taking care of her.
Couple of weeks later, while having dinner at our favorite chinese restaurant he asked me something unexpected, "I always wanted to ask you this, why did you come out with me that night without even thinking twice? That could have been a trap!" I replied, "hmmm.. Well. To be very honest, I was actually very scared and all sort of negative thoughts did cross my mind. But, somewhere inside I knew that this guy is not wrong and can be trusted".
That guy is now one of the closest friends I have and I am sure I fall into the same category in his list as well. He also by the way made sure that I never took such a step with someone else. :P
I could have given him an excuse and denied not to go with him. But that would have made me lose a chance of knowing gem of a peron. People are different and what we see, believe and expect may not be what we always get. I've had my fair share of good and bad experiences, but I always consider the risk part a good thing. I have shockingly known the evil side of people I always considered as angels and the good side of 'should I count up on this guy' - thanks to my willingness to take 'risk'. (The term risk here is relative) I have known that strangers can be more helpful and sometimes very good listeners than a close friend. I have also realized that people are not always what we think they are. And most importantly, it's not about who you have known the longest; its about who came, made a difference (in a good way) and denied to leave.
I am absolutely lucky to have a few gems as friends who had been tolerating me for ages, supporting through thick and thin, enjoying my company, worthy enough to share my deep dark secrets and passwords, and preferring to be around as friends even after numerous changes they had faced in their lives. That is what I respect the most and that's what I am trying to give them back. It after all takes a few seconds to lose someone and a lifetime to maintain a bond!
