happy birthday, anwesha. we’ve been friends for 3–4 years, but it feels like you’ve been with me since day 1. i don’t know what it is about us talking that makes me excited. every time i talk to you, i feel happy. our conversations have never had a structured flow, and that is something i like the most. if you remember the 4-page letter i wrote for you, i poured my heart out into that thing. the moment i started writing that letter, i felt like i had so much to say, yet so little. i can’t believe you’re 19. i’m sure it was yesterday when we talked about harsh as xyz. i’m sure it was yesterday i sent you my "frog" impression. i’m sure it was yesterday when we had a meme streak on our ig and snap where we sent each other ihof posts. i don’t know how time has passed. you’ve started college, and i’ve started preparing for college. we’ve come so far, not only as friends but as people. you’ve played a very integral role in my life. you’re the reason i listen to cas. you’re the reason i never give up. you’re the reason i believe in friendships. i never imagined myself being so connected to someone who doesn’t even live in the same city as me. whatever we do, i’m sure we’ll always remain bhai-behen. i never had a behen, but it feels like i always have. you were my elder sister at times, and the next moment, my younger sister. our 3 am talks hold a special place in my heart. every time you appreciate my efforts, i feel so special- as if this is what it’s all about. we are directly proportional, anwesha. we truly are. when i hear your trembling voice, i don’t feel okay. i don’t like seeing you cry. i don’t like seeing you underconfident, because i know you have every capability you need. you’re the person i mention in my prayers before myself. you are part of my daily bajrang baan. you made me believe in platonic love. i don’t think i say it enough, but genuinely, anwesha, i do love you more than you can ever imagine. i hope you remember a line i once said: this friendship is forever under construction, but always home. if there’s another life after this, i’m finding you there too. same laughter, same late-night rants, same us. always us.
on your 19th birthday, i thank god for the greatest gift he’s ever given me: you.
till death do us apart anweshu.