Unlike Every Other

It was a cold yet pleasant March evening in Seattle. It was threatening to rain any second, and the chilly breeze ruffled through my curls and made worse knots than there were already in my hair. The sun had set what felt like ages ago and the dark, cloudy sky reflected my surly mood from the emotionally exhausting, drama-filled day I had had. It felt like a Monday on a Friday.

I sat on the rooftop of my apartment building, sipping hot chocolate that my dear neighbor had made for me (after pitying my sloppy appearance, I’m positive). My favorite red turtleneck sweater and black jeans kept me warm, and the fighting voices of the old couple who lived on the floor below kept me company. The covered rooftop was dimly lit with a yellow lamp that one of the apartment’s residents was kind enough to throw out, and with some fairy lights put up on clothes-hanging wire overhead. The street was empty today; occasionally one could see a person or two walking on the sidewalk. I could see fuzzy, colorful lights on the horizon, twinkling like stars because of the mist. This amazing view of this beautiful city always managed to calm me down like no other soul, except my best friend.

Speaking of which, my best friend is late. She promised she’d be here by 10 and spend the night with me, mostly cursing guys for being morons and bosses for being intolerant nincompoops.

The door of the rooftop opened just then. As I turned around, I saw Shaina panting after the 4 floor climb. She was wearing a beautiful dark green hand-knit sweater along with blue jeans and the sneakers that I gifted her. She began attempting to talk through rasping breaths, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry I’m laaaat---” Splat. She’d tripped over her own foot, and was lying flat on the floor, surrounded by her purse and the several customary bags she’d always fill with clothes and homemade Indian savories(that my mom made)and bring from India. Neither balance, nor light-packing for a trip had ever been Shaina’s strengths. I sat down on the floor beside her and we laughed, before I helped her up. She’d just made my day.

I dragged another chair for her out of the small shed in a corner and we opened the half a dozen dabbas my mom sent filled with the savories and laid them out on the table between us. Bhakarvadi, chakli, amba barfi, besan ke laddu, banana chips…they were all there. As we dug in, I video called mom and told her I loved her so much.

After we had our share of the savories, and our hungry and forever greedy stomachs were at peace, we rested back in our hard metal chairs and laughed, just looking at each other. I had missed this in the past 1 year, 3 months and 12 days. Yet we spoke like we were just roaming the college grounds yesterday.

“Yaar, kya bakwas din tha aaj. It started with me hurting my toe the minute I got out of bed after reading that my boss had called an urgent meeting in 30 minutes. I rushed to get dressed, still groggy and grumpy. Then I found out that there is no coffee at home. Ugh.

“Then on the way to the office, an accident had taken place on the bridge and so I got stuck in traffic. Toh jab tak main office pahunchi, the meeting was already halfway through. My boss looked like she was going to cancel this year’s bonus and demote me instead of promote me.

When I finally got out of office, I decided to call Karan on the drive home. He didn’t answer his mobile, so I tried his home phone. Guess what, a lady picked up. Cherry on top,” I finished, raising my hands up in annoyance.

Shaina began laughing. “Stop laughing,” I said, half annoyed and half laughing with her.

“Miss Sulky, I told you in the very beginning that this Karan isn’t worth it. Aur rahi teri boss ki baat, when has she ever looked like she’s going to applaud you and give you a promotion? She looks like Umbridge, only uglier!” Shaina exclaimed.

That got me laughing.

“You and Sam have stuck together for so long. I started three months ago, and it’s over already! How am I so bad at this?” I said in anguish and frustration.

“You just haven’t found someone who literally sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel all happy-go-lucky. You will, I’m sure of that. Filhal mujhse kaam chala le,” she laughed.

Just then the woman on the floor below decided that patience wasn’t going to help her win the war with her old man, and swore more than I ever have, even in my head, when my boss was talking about longer work hours to ‘help the company’.Clearly, she was having a worse day than mine. That made us laugh even harder.

“How’s everyone back in India?” I asked Shaina, after a long bout of loud laughter, which involved our stomachs hurting a lot.

“Everyone is fine. Mom and Dad are planning to go for another honeymoon for their 30th marriage anniversary, and Bhaiya is getting married later this year, in Udaipur! You have to come for the wedding yaar, no ifs and buts! Bhaiya specifically said Pooja ko meri shaadi mein aana padega!”

“Wow, destination wedding and all! I can’t believe this is Bhaiya! I’ll come for sure. It’s impossible that I’m not there to dance in Bhaiya’s baarat!” I said excitedly.

“Great!” Shaina replied. “When you come, you have to stay back for a couple of days and visit Jaipur with me!”

“For sure, it’s long overdue.

"How’s work?”

“Work is okay. You know how it is with startups. Life is a rollercoaster ride in startups. Good thing is I don’t need to see and be answerable to a Umbridge at least every morning!” she laughed.

When I checked my watch next, it was already 5AM! Shaina’s flight was in another 3 hours.

Soon night turned into day, and the sky was lighting up with the first yellow orange hues. The potted plants on the rooftop had rain drops atop their leaves; it looked like they were adorned with bright shiny pearls. As the time for Shaina to leave crept up on us, pangs of sadness and happiness engulfed me. Shaina could see I was close to tears.

“It’s okay, Pooja, you're going to see me soon! Till then, we’ll video call and text each other like we always do,” she smiled.

“Come on, let’s dance it out!”Shaina suggested. She pulled me out of my chair, and I hesitantly got up, wiping my tears. She put on my favourite song and we began to dance like no one was watching us.

“Look me in the eye

And tell me you don't find me attractive

Look me in the heart

And tell me you won't go

Look me in the eye

And promise no love's like our love

Look me in the heart

And un-break broken, it won't happen

It's love that leaves and breaks

The seal of always thinking you would be

Real happy and healthy, strong and calm

Where does the good go?

Where does the good go?”