Young author Hemasri writes a biography of her friend in a beautiful lyrical prose, an outcome of the Female Legacy Project’s Biography Writing workshop, conducted by Nivedita Louis.
As she stood beside her parents, peeking through our classroom from time to time, she was mistaken for a parent by her classmates. Physically matured, yet docile at heart. Being a nerd, she came across a lot of hatred and stereotypes, the usual ones, of course.
Unaware of how her academic rival would end up being her best friend, after so many silly fights. The ‘fight’, the biggest they had, did separate them over a period, a year, a moment of madness. A change of season is what made them realise their stupidity.
Again, they became friends, repairing what was lost, nourishing sisterhood. They learnt and still keep learning how relationships work, how life is and what it should be. They shared the untold stories – ‘SECRETS’ which people usually would hesitate to share, the ones which they would be judged harshly for opening up the trauma, the pain.
There is a saying that eldest daughters find a safe space with the other eldest daughters. Which is true, because the issues they went through in different fonts are felt by other empathetic sisters, naturally…
This friendship began all because of a song. A song sung by her very rival, which eventually lead her rival to know her innocence behind the bratty behaviour, the innocence of complimenting the enemy’s talent instead of being jealous. The classic of all female friendships’ beginning.
She would blurt out everything that came to her head. Speaking of blabbermouth, she used to spit anything without hesitation since interacting socially seemed so foreign for a kid who had been mostly homeschooled. That, too, in a chaotic household run by her narcissistic, chauvinist dad’s orders, held her in a chokehold. Funny, how the men insist that society has evolved and doesn’t need feminism. She couldn’t connect with anyone due to the insecurities, the alienation by her peers, and the lost spring, which was ripped into pieces by her father’s sick actions.
Not only the spring, the passion in art and gymnastics, her teen years, the importance of peer influence, understanding the life struggles yet to come and whatnot! This made her rival, her best friend to adore her more and respect her strength to withstand and fight her nightmares. Her best friend knew how she wouldn’t tolerate the trauma that she went through as a child.
It was an unfortunate thorn road to pass through and still be pricked on the fresh wounds. She is a provider for the needs to be met. A caretaker for her siblings, a therapist to her mother who undergoes domestic violence after an argument, and a topper whose marks are expected for the school’s reputation. She is strangled, suffocated. But she finds peace and solace in her best friend’s virtual presence and their inside jokes.
They are distanced. Yet together, when in need of care and empathy. She repeated her principles to her best friend, and on how she will never be like her parents or choose a path similar which they chose to walk into. All because of her father’s frustrating words claiming that she was like him after all.
She had ENOUGH! enough of being told what to do or what not to do, how to be or anything the society claims of a woman’s way of life. She chose her last hope, her purpose of life – being a neurosurgeon, simply because it gives the key to her cage, a cage in which she became a puppet to her dad’s lost dream. A dream which primarily failed, due to his ego. Even driven by limited beliefs, her dad continues to be her most hated and most loved individual.
Her friend knows that this time, her best friend would choose herself, her life, and her dreams. Yes, this means ultimately distancing from daily interaction, all for chasing their spark, in separate ways. But, they will surely catch up if needed of one another’s presence, just like the old times…
About the author
G.S. Hemasri is a student who recently completed her 12th grade. She wishes to be a social activist and has fiery passion towards journalism and arts. She has huge interest in dance and art forms, music, literature and writing. She broke the Guinness record of dancing in Thillai Nadaraja temple Chidambaram along with 10,000 bharatanatyam dancers and won national yoga championship in 2018. She participates in debate competitions and strives for betterment of the society through her vision. Determined to expand her curiosity, she explores and learns, everyday.
