PART 1

Friends are a blessing and who all have that are blessed. Each and every friend is a part of our life. Having a large number of friends doesn't keep us happy instead make a few who understand you, who listen to you, who cares you, who helps even at your hard times. Here I am going to share something interesting which actually changed my life.

                   When I was 3-years, near to my room I had a friend. She was my neighbour. Her name is Sarah. She is elder than me. Her native place is Pakistan. It is a middle-class family. They are five where she is the second last. She had four brothers and one sister. Her father works in a workshop where her mother is a housewife. It was a happy family. We knew well with each other. We weren't the same but it made us feel like we are sisters. She was me. Language, religion, or our countries doesn't treat us differently. We used to talk and we didn't face any difficulty in that. My mother loved them a lot. We were so happy. We used to share our food, toys, stationeries and every kind of stuff which we get. Like that, I shared my problems, my pain, and my thoughts. Talking blunders and playing nonsense games made my day. That birthday parties were so special and it usually happens the day before my  Hindi examination. Among this, we couldn't take a photo together or we couldn't go for a walk.

       
 When it comes to education, there is a lot of difference between us. I will go to school regularly where she goes for tuition instead. But she was the boldest when I compare myself with her. But one day, she told me that she will be leaving Sharjah immediately due to some personal issues.
I don't know what actually happened to me. It made me feel insecure. I don't know what to say or how to react, but her smile made me speechless. She raised my chin and told me to look into her eyes. I felt something, something divine. Yes, the presence of God. She was saying something to me, "No worries and don't feel bad. I am there with you and will be there with you." Tears were rolling down from our eyes. It was the tears of helpless. I couldn't stop her or was not at all able to say a word.

        A few days later...

The month of November is going to get over soon. We all were busy with our own work. "Hey!!! Christmas is on its way..." said Ria. This is something interesting. In our building, by the end of a year, we all will be celebrating Christmas as well as New year, by decorating our floor and our houses with balloons, colour paper, stickers, and sweets. Almost all were ready with there own items and stuff. But one day, something went wrong. Something bad happened. For silly reasons, we started to fight and blame each other. After each day, when I and my brother goes back home our use to ask what happened today. "Hey...guys! How was your day? It was so bad. Why? What happened? We had a fight. What? You had a fight? For what? They are avoiding us and instead, they got someone as their new friend and they will go to them every day. So I asked don't you need us? We are coming for you all and see what you guys are doing. You all will go down and play with them. Excuse me... What is your problem? Let me know that. And wait who told you that we used to go daily? We have to plan for our new year celebration right? Why don't you all think about that? See Preethi...I think everything for the new year celebrations has finished and doesn't make the reasons. I am sorry that we had to go. Bye."  This is what happened today. First, they thought the fight wasn't that serious. But, in the coming days, the children weren't feeling good. They saw many changes happening around them.

The children were fighting for silly reasons and for that, we use to get scoldings from our parents daily. Our mothers saw us that we all have been divided into groups, some of them were so happy where the rest of them were so sad. I felt so sad thinking about the incident which happened yesterday. She made me cry a lot but, still, my love for her was increasing each second. We suffered a  lot. We were tortured so badly. 

    A few days later...

    This was a beautiful beginning for all of us. Today was the day where all our fights came to an end. It had happened on the 30th of December, yes the day before the new year. Our lovely mothers made us sit on chairs and started to talk with us. "So, our dear girls, let's all put a full stop for this unwanted fight, ok? Agree? Ok, Aunty... Mm good. Okay, girls, forget about the past few days. No fights, no arguments. Say sorry by looking at each other and keep your hands together Radha and Sarah. Devika, I am sorry that I hurt you with words. It was more than an ignoring. I felt so bad and I don't know what to say or what will I ask from you. Really sorry dear... said by holding my hands together.
It's ok and please never say sorry. It makes you down in front of me. That's it. Problem solved," said Ria's mother. Ria and other all were so happy and hugged each other. 
The next day, the final day of this year. Everyone was excited about the event. All were dressed beautifully and eagerly waiting to eat and uncover the gifts. We had a group dance, solo dance, solo song and a few numbers of games. It was almost 10 and we all went back home after wishing all a happy new year.

       
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Days went so fast and those days were deciding our last happiness.
That was an evening, I and Sarah was sitting at the corner talking about our old days where we had a lot of fun, fight and arguments. After some time, she was coming near me. She raised my chin and told me "Hey I wanna say you something. What is it? That I will be leaving Sharjah soon and will be departing to Pakistan forever. Forever? Yeah forever. But why? For what? Ok cool down I will say. My father has a problem with the job and he planned to go back. I am helpless and I don't know what to do next. Hmmm... I am sorry. No... no, I can't stop you." My heartbeat was rising to its maximum level. Tears were rolling down from my eyes. She was reading me, "Yes, don't leave me, this is what your tears were saying to me." I raised myself to her by knowing the truth. She gave a smile holder my hands by saying a bye and left me behind.  

My mother woke me up. It was already 9. I brushed my teeth and had my breakfast. After some time, I heard someone was knocking my door. There was a group waiting for me outside. I opened the door. All were sad. They wanted to inform me of something related to Sarah. It someone is gonna leave us. Who? Sarah...".I kept myself silent for a few seconds. I asked with a low voice. "Where is she? I want to see her." From my left side, I heard a voice. Someone was calling me. was like this, "Today "Devika... I am here." I ran towards her with a fear of losing. She was ready to hug me because I was running so fast. At last, she caught me and hold tightly. I have to leave dear. I couldn't control myself. Someone was calling me from the back. When she released me, I turned back. Yes, it was my mother waiting for me with breakfast. I went back home and had my food. Time was going so far from me. Mustafa, Sarah's brother told me they will leave by afternoon 2. It was almost 2, my father went back after having his lunch. All were ready with their luggage and was waiting for their father's call. "Time to go... Anyone there to give me a hug?" Ria ran towards her and hugged her. She was literally crying couldn't even stop. That made me sad a lot. Everyone hugged her tightly and told all the best. At last, I got a chance. Now, it's my turn to say bye. We came together and hugged each other. This was something related to gravity. She is it. I couldn't bear the pain. I turned and went back to my home. 
That was the last time I saw them. After that, I couldn't talk with her, couldn't see her or hear her. But still, I could feel her presence. It's more than 8 years, no contact and no information. I don't have another way instead of that wait with for her arrival with full of hope on God and the time.

                                                                                                                                                  To be continued...