To my friend Jeevan,
“What’s up, fuckface?” That’s how our conversations start every time. Looking back, I tried to find our phone calls without any swear words. It was next to impossible. As I was going through memory lane, I thought, “Where did it all begin?”
Two polar opposite individuals bonded by pure silliness. When I met you 10 years ago, in diploma, my first impression was such an innocent fuckface. Here we are now, after stealing food from the canteen, sneaking out of the college campus at midnight, countless hours of making fun of people, and valuing the friendship despite growing differences.
You have done so much for me, financially and materially. But a couple of incidents I could recall where your words and actions meant the world to me. When I published my first book, I didn’t have money for marketing. I exhausted all of it on bringing it to the readers. Though you were working for less salary, you sent some of it for my book promotions. You knew for sure that I couldn’t return the money.
Not only that, you made your colleagues buy the book and pushed them to share it on Instagram. You did it for all of my three books without expecting anything in return. For the latest book, you mentioned that you would buy my books in bulk and sell them by putting up a stall. I smiled widely when I heard. What I did to win a good friend like you. Of course, I couldn’t see you like that. I said no.
Remember when I came to Bangalore after my Delhi book fair visit? A day later I was hospitalized with a heavy fever and dehydration. You were there, doing service for me. Though you would wake me up saying, ‘Get up, fucker,’ that’s a different matter altogether. It wasn’t only in Bangalore; during the Kerala trip too, you were there, helping me to get better with altitude sickness. I don’t know how I would have managed it without your presence.
I think only you could bear my bullying and tolerate my shit. If it were for another, he would have left me a long time ago. Thank you for your patience. After my mother, you saw me as I am, a different person who wants to do something different in life. I know you don’t understand half of the things I do. But still, you choose to support me unconditionally. I will be eternally grateful for it.
I wish you were here with me, in Canada. We can have absolute fun. Of course, we shouldn’t let our intrusive thoughts slip out of our minds. And, thank you for making me experience a great friendship. I cannot wait for our BIG project next year. It will be fun. Finally, don’t ChatGPT this letter, fuckface.
Your friend,
Avinash Sai
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