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1951, that's when they first met.
20-yr-olds with their striped Kurta, cigarettes, new bike keys and slicked-back hair. They were the real 'Badboys of Behala'; the heartthrobs of the 50s who would congregate at Coffee House when it was more adda than nostalgia.
THREAD.
20-yr-olds with their striped Kurta, cigarettes, new bike keys and slicked-back hair. They were the real 'Badboys of Behala'; the heartthrobs of the 50s who would congregate at Coffee House when it was more adda than nostalgia.
THREAD.
We were 'mostans', they told me, laughing the same laugh from the 50s—back-benchers and class-bunkers, but nevertheless toppers.
We were rebels, they cackled, going off by ourselves but always responsibly.
2.
We were rebels, they cackled, going off by ourselves but always responsibly.
2.
To the right, Arun Dalal, to the left, Arun Mallik—best friends for 69 years, almost thrice my lifetime—and the reason I went back to Kolkata as an adult for the first time in 8 years in 2018.
A visit that brought me back a forgotten home.
3.
A visit that brought me back a forgotten home.
3.
The only survivors of their original 4-member group, these two, when they met in 2018, weren't long-lost friends; they weren't picking up after years. They are, even now, perfectly in touch, talking thrice a week—my personal symbols of friendship.
4.
4.
Over seven decades, they have been at each other's marriages, in each other's postboxes. They went to college together and met after work. Card games spilt over decades, and across continents after Dalal Dadu moved to Canada permanently in the 1960s.
5.
5.
Governments changed, means of communication advanced, but these two men remained in contact, taking all pains to stay in touch.
Eight years back when I lost my thamma, my grandfather, who had known her since they were both children, really broke down.
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Eight years back when I lost my thamma, my grandfather, who had known her since they were both children, really broke down.
6.
He was brittle, refused even her picture.
We are close, but I am only a granddaughter, with years apart. No one could get through to dadu.
At such a time, Dalal dadu, who used to then call once a month, began calling every other day. All the way from Canada.
7.
We are close, but I am only a granddaughter, with years apart. No one could get through to dadu.
At such a time, Dalal dadu, who used to then call once a month, began calling every other day. All the way from Canada.
7.
Every other day, Dalal Dadu would call, dot on time at 10.30pm IST. Unfailingly. Even though my dadu is slightly short of hearing, even though Dalal dadu has to yell to be heard, often having to repeat things 3x over.
Every day from 9.30pm, phone in hand, my dadu would wait.
8.
Every day from 9.30pm, phone in hand, my dadu would wait.
8.
Every other day, unfailingly, despite festivals, time zone differences, cultural differences, whatever... These calls continue—one of the reasons I believe I still have my dadu today.
This photo marks the last time Arun and Arun met.
8.
This photo marks the last time Arun and Arun met.
8.
Dalal Dadu was coming to Kolkata, perhaps one last time—the strenuous Canada Kolkata travel was beginning to get difficult for him.
My dadu, now with us in Mumbai, was beginning to find plane travel difficult as his lungs lost their breath.
9.
My dadu, now with us in Mumbai, was beginning to find plane travel difficult as his lungs lost their breath.
9.
2018, a year when I had a little time and a little money, seemed the right time to take Dadu back home to meet his best friend.
As 2020 has rolled on and cut us out of our own lives it is perhaps friendship and only friendship that has saved us.
10.
As 2020 has rolled on and cut us out of our own lives it is perhaps friendship and only friendship that has saved us.
10.
I find myself thinking about my closest ones sometimes, and I am amazed by just how much love I feel for them—the way they laugh, the way they take care of their cats, the way their stupid brains work. The way they never tire of me.
11.
11.
And that's when I think how friendship is probably one of the most precious gifts life can give.
Of course, it gets difficult, of course, there is anger and resentment and long-distance makes everything tough.
But they're always worth fighting for. Through space and time.
12.
Of course, it gets difficult, of course, there is anger and resentment and long-distance makes everything tough.
But they're always worth fighting for. Through space and time.
12.
And hiccup.
Just like Arun and Arun, who grew old together, shared a lifetime with each other; whose smiles fill this frame.
*Touchwood*
So, call them back even when you're tired. Give. Love. DO special things. Your love for them is worth it. :)
Fin.
Just like Arun and Arun, who grew old together, shared a lifetime with each other; whose smiles fill this frame.
*Touchwood*
So, call them back even when you're tired. Give. Love. DO special things. Your love for them is worth it. :)
Fin.
