I have a Friend, His Name is ‘Hope’

As the new season sets in, overwhelmed with the vibrant winds and the escalating pours of rain, a thought, such compulsion of the mind, to think of the person who has always been there for you, during your highs and lows, screams and shutdowns—given with this gift of life to reminisce all that has transpired all along.

His name is Wazid, a humble guy with so much to give back to the world. I have known him for the last 20 years, right since our first year at school—and as years progressed, we eventually knew more of us.

There is a certain principles of life, and for me to have come this far, it’s always a requisite of him being around me all this while. It was struggle that filled my life, however defining my path as well.

Eventually getting stronger with our friendship during our high school years. Times were tough and so was the mounting pressure of growing into a teen. It was Geography class that we most enjoyed, while the teacher endlessly taught and didn’t mind us scripting a whole new movie scene in the class.

But now that I think, and for life to make any sense, there are certain vitalities that one undeniably requires. I was so low in hope that nothing made any sense, or what is the meaning of this grief that so unconditionally poured. Maybe, we all needed to be saved?

Overwhelming terrains of hopelessness, endless games of rejection and tired tempests of August—all but surrounding my depressed mind, a prison that was so tough to escape, yet no one to see it on my face. It’s as if I were a smiling statue, waiting to fall just once, so that I could break off completely.

But Wazid, my friend—his name was hope that sparked me back into life. So much to write, and so many different emotions to express, but in the midst of chaos, perhaps he was the one who truly cared and did not stop.

Now that we are all grown up, our friendship is still the same, like everything was just yesterday.

We humans are a different creation, but what is it that really makes us any different than any other species. Perhaps the connection that we so emphatically develop, for the survival of the race and for us to find meaning into who we are.

Hope, seemingly a little word but saves us from ourselves and everything that is a product of our steps and decisions in life. To have been construed with the terms and conditions of life—no one would even want to continue, or what is this turmoil. But the epiphany, biggest of the stars that won’t shine anymore, or the wilted plants that have died just trying to save us—for a friend could equate to a million stars in the universe.

Tired of waiting for the storm to pass through, the glasses break and the ceiling acts hostile, but the thought of having a friend is like having some sense of hope even if one is stuck in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Wazid’s personality also attracts other souls, and this is perhaps one of his greatest assets. To everything that I have achieved so far, I give you, sincerely from my heart, all the credit that you solely deserve. I’m glad to have a friend like you.

-Yogesh Chandra