1 Never too late for friendship
Kavya placed her parent's photo carefully in the suitcase as her best friend Shri folded the last of her clothing. "Underwear?", Shri asked, peering closely at the list of requirements."Check!", announced Kavya. Shri read out the list as Kavya ensured she had placed the items read out in her bags. After finishing her packing, Kavya sat down on the bed, exhausted."Hey Dum-Dum, you forgot one more thing.", Shri called out. "What is it?", asked a puzzled Kavya. She had put in her stationery, clothing, accessories, cosmetics, footwear and obviously her books. Kavya was a voracious reader. This had not only helped her become fluent with English but also made her a brilliant quizzer. Mythology, Politics, Current Affairs, Fiction, Bollywood, Hollywood, you name it and she could answer any question you throw at her. What could be missing, Kavya mused.
"Here you go", Shri said as she handed a small gift-wrapped box. "You didn't have to do this.", Kavya said as she unwrapped the box and opened it, revealing a round silver pendant, engraved beautifully with the words, 'Forever Mine'. Kavya could no longer keep control of the emotions bubbling inside her as she tightly hugged Shri, crying into her shoulders. Shri too burst into tears, hugging her bestie fiercely. They had been inseparable since childhood. Every class, every birthday, every first they had shared together. And now, Kavya was heading to a boarding school, away from home, away from her best friend.
After a long session of tears, a red-eyed Kavya, at last, pulled back and asked, "How am I going to survive without you. I am already one month late. The people over there will already have their groups and their friends. How will I manage? As if the fact that there is a load of work and studies waiting to welcome me." Shri looked at Kavya and realized one more time she has to give her advice. But this time, no speech necessary.
After a long session consisting of hugs, tears and good-byes with her parents, Kavya entered her new dorm, already missing the presence of Shri. She found her room, meant for two, and put down her luggage on the bare bed. She unpacked quickly and after putting her counterpane, took out her fresh new copy of Agatha Christie's ' Five Little Pigs'. Reading had always helped her lift her mood and forget her worries. However, for once, it was not working. Her thoughts kept drifting to her amazing parents, her sweet dadi and of course, Shri. Suddenly, she saw a tall, slim and dark girl enter the room. She wore a plain blue t-shirt and shorts, revealing her toned limbs. Must be the popular, pretty and athletic hotshot with a cold personality coated with enough sugar to make you sick, Kavya grumped to herself. Curse my bad luck! The girl noticed Kavya. "Oh! You must be Kavya. I am Lavanya. I stay right over here", she said chirpily, pointing to the only other cubicle. Instantly, her eyes grew wide."Is that an Agatha Christie? I love her books. My favourite one is... Don't tell me! Murder on the Orient Express. Hercule Poirot is truly one of the greatest characters ever created. Probably, the best."
Kavya was in shock. Not only did the 'hotshot' read books like Agatha Christie, but also she had pronounced the word 'Poirot' correctly. Kavya recovered quick enough and countered, "Whoa! Miss Marple is way classier the Belgian Detective." As the girls immersed themselves in a friendly debate, Shreya's words rang true for a few seconds in Kavya's head, before disappearing amongst the excitement and joy of starting a new life, along with a new friend. It is never too late for friendship.
