Which Relationships Are The Most Important To You This Women's Day Month?

(The below story is a fictionalised version of real-life events. Names have been changed.)

"Hey," he spoke softly. I knew, if I were to look up at him at that moment, the tears would come back flooding. Instead, I simply shook my head.

He laid his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it gently. "You know, I'm here for you, right?" I braced myself for the tears to come and looked up at him.

He didn't say anything. He simply held my hand in his palms and crouched beside me.

His way of comforting me was by being by my side. He knew the voices in my head were loud enough during such moments and all I craved was for silence. A peaceful silence. 

"They said it was all my fault," I said.

He continued looking ahead. A small nod was all that I got. 

"Where did I go wrong? I was by their side through everything, through all their fights, all their low moments. I backed them up through thick and thin. Then, why me? I cared for them, I know I did." 

"I know you did. You're the best friend anyone could ever ask for." My brother said firmly. He turned to look at me and handed me a tissue. 

"Honestly, as your elder brother, can I give you a tiny, miny piece of advice?" 

He understood me so well. I was so grateful to have him in my life. Only if I was blessed enough to have friends who would understand me too, instead of judging me and making fun of me behind my back. 

"They don't deserve you. They've treated you as their last backup plan, or something worse perhaps, every single time. You're too good to see it and instead blame yourself for others' faults." He paused. I let the words soak in.

"Plus, during these years, people think doing this stuff makes them cool. It does not. Whatever happens, happens for the best. Think of this fight as a wake-up call, Nimi." 

I still held the advice my brother gave me, close to my heart, as I made my way toward the building. 

Today was a new day of school. My steps shook a bit as I walked toward my class. Another year of class shuffling. New classmates. New friends. New settings intimidated me. The kids were familiar to me yet I was so lonely among them.

The principal began speaking. Our classes were divided. We settled into our seats. I sat alone. Not for long though, as someone walked up to me. She asked me if she could sit beside me. I said yes. We talked a bit. The kids behind me were laughing. We joined them. The day went okay. No friends were made. 

The second day I arrived, the girl sat in the same seat. This time, we talked more. I got to know about her. Her family. Her siblings. Her hobbies. More about her life. Something I had not experienced with my previous friends. I didn't know if they had any siblings, and neither did they know my favourite colour. My classmate came as a shock to me. She said it wasn't too much, sharing basic details of yourself with others. I had a feeling. Perhaps I could truly make good friends this time.

On the third day, another girl sat in front of me. Sadly, my partner was absent that day. I had started feeling comfortable in my surroundings. It came as a surprise to me how my former friends' betrayal stumped me socially. 

The girl and I talked. We studied together that day. We shared our favourite colours, our comfort food, and our pet names. It was funny, and we laughed. I was slowly easing into my school life again. 

The next day, Kiara was present. She told me she was feeling sick and hence, her absence the previous day. My old friends never told me such things. It hurt how I had almost missed an opportunity at having real friends if I had continued in my old circle. My brother was right. Everything happens for a reason. I smiled a real smile that day. I introduced Kiara to Sera and we became good friends in the months to come. 

At this point, my brother had moved to another city for college. I was initially afraid of how I was going to make it through the year without his support, but I was surprised at how I didn't need to be completely dependent on him since I had two new people who had my back. When I told him this, he faked jealousy for a moment, before he confessed, "You must treasure this, Nimi. Friendship is such a relationship that you must never let go of. Cherish it, and hold it close to your heart." 

Soon, our exams began. It was a new grade in my school life and the vast amount of syllabus scared me. I doubted myself. Would I make it? Would I continue to be among the toppers this year as well? Self-doubt flooded my brain.

While everyone was secretly competing on who would score the highest, Kiara and Sera dragged me to the library. They said we were gonna study and make notes together. I thought they were off their heads. It made no sense. And then, Kiara said, "United we stand, divided we fall." I tilted my head at her choice of words. She explained, "You seriously don't believe in walking over others to get the best score, do you?" I didn't, but studying together? "It's new to each and every one of us, so instead of trampling over the other, why don't we cross this threshold together?" I almost cried at her words. They were there for me. I was there for them. We were going to see it till the end. 

Exams ended. The next year came. Then, the year after it. And then, the other. We stayed close. We stayed by each other's side. We had a big circle by the end of high school, yet what Kiara, Sera, and I shared was special. Our relationship stayed strong.

School was ending soon. I had been grateful for my friends and their presence in my life. Soon, March came and our Boards were around the corner. One day, I got a call. I was way deep into my textbooks and couldn't imagine picking up the phone. But, the caller persisted. I picked it. It was Sera. She wanted us to go out. I laughed her off. But she turned serious. She said today was an important day. I turned to the calendar hanging on my bedroom wall. The date said - March 08. 

We went to a fest held in a park. It was an only women's event. We left our study worries at home and enjoyed the day. At the end of the event, the speaker of the day said, "Today is a day we women should cherish, especially with our friends. We must upbuild one another. When one falls, the other must hold her up. When the other loses her sight, we must show her the way." These words reminded me back to the day I had gone out on Women's Day with my old group. We celebrated it the same way, but the next day, I was accused and mocked by the same group. But, it was different this time. I had Kiara and Sera with me. This day was a beautiful way of solidifying our relationship.

Every single one of us form different kinds of relationships with different people over the course of our lifetime. A relationship with our parents, a relationship with our siblings, a relationship with our grandparents. One with our friends, one with our classmates, one with our work employees, one with our partners, and one with our children. But personally for me, a strong bonding relationship with our friends lasts a lifetime impact in each of our lives. For me, my friends have been my stronghold during the darkest times. When I begged others to understand me, my friends just did without any word. They provided me with the strength and courage to keep going.

In today's world, each of us are able to find friends through various mediums. But, during this age of the immense influence of social media, finding true friends who last a long time is difficult. Each of us face betrayal and backstabbing at some point in our lives, whether it may be small or big. But, once we foster that strengthening relationship of friendship, if no one is there for you, you have people to fall back on. This Women's Day month, let us celebrate all the ladies who have impacted our lives, even in small ways.