The circumstances under which I met these two were very different and yet the same. There was awkwardness, but at the end of the day, we had common grounds, and now we’re here. I met Chirag for the first time at an office lunch, not exactly a meet-cute for a bromance, but we bonded a little at the after-party, and now, here we are, witnessing Chirag getting married. I thought we’d be the last ones standing, but okay, I’ll be okay being a bachelor with Sriram.
Funnily enough, I met Bimbita at an after-party of Lolapalooza, at Anti-socials, with this energy and vigor, she was jumping and dancing around, and from that to here, I would’ve never thought we’d become such close friends, that Bimbita taking our Chirag away would be something we’d consider a benefit for him. Every time we were hanging around, and I’d see these two enjoying each other’s company, be it their stupid slap bets or banter over cricket and football, I’d think, when are they going to get to the conclusion of this romantic comedy and start dating already? We know you guys are meant to be together, just realize it, please!
Finally, thanks to another friend and his knack for gossip, I got to know that Chirag was dating Bimbita, which he confessed much later, after being pressed hard. Since then, you both have been inseparable and insufferable at times (you don’t have to be so cute together always, making us single people jealous). From movies to birthdays to parties, from sad moments to happy moments, to proud moments, you’ve been there along with other people you were close to, together as well. Who does a double proposal? The first one was very cute, bringing out both of your qualities so well. Bimbita took charge, doing all the planning, Chirag was all clueless and calm, in a “what is happening, let it happen” state of mind.
If I go on to list every moment that I have witnessed your love grow, this will be a long write-up, but some one-liner cute things, where I felt you both are my family:
- You were there when I was dejected, and despite your happiness, you tended to my sadness.
- When everyone I thought was not on my side, there you were, talking me out of my own head till the wake of morning.
- You defended me, with or without me knowing.
- You tolerated, loved, got annoyed by my antics, and yet, were there to tolerate more.
It’s just one of many examples of how you two work so well together. Whilst I love you two individually, I love you two together even more. I keep making mental notes of how to be and work so well together, keeping your respect for each other, and keeping aside your egos, tending to each other’s shortcomings, and amplifying each other’s strength, giving each other space, and yet not letting the other person feel abandoned, sometimes compromising on things, moments, and being there for your significant other without even thinking twice.
Quoting William Shakespeare, “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.” When life gets hard, when things change, true love remains the same. And I know that your love will remain this cute, banter-filled, cared, adored bond that it is today.
At last, with another quote from the great philosopher, Joseph- “It is a love based on giving and receiving as well as having and sharing. And the love that they give and have is shared and received. And through this having and giving and sharing and receiving, we too can share and love and have… and receive.” When I think of the love that these two givers and receivers share, I cannot help but envy the lifetime ahead of having and loving and giving… and receiving.