‘how old is old? eleven years plus twenty six years equals to thirty seven years. Oh my! thirty seven years !! we have been friends for thirty seven years ? seems like it was only yesterday that some one introduced us. She needed a lift and a driver was coming to drive me home. (I was trying to get a driving license but the policy there was to make it difficult for women drivers to pass the test… Sorry, I strayed. I was talking about my friend )

So, while driving her to her house, we introduced ourselves properly and somehow, while talking about our families, our countries, interests, our children, we just clicked. I have no idea how could that happen because I am reserved, rather quiet, more interested in listening than talking. She is the total opposite. The only common thing was our love of listening to a good “marsia” and appreciating a good majlis by a learned aalim. I think that was what bonded us.

Now The question is why some friendships, you want to hold on to but – even putting your life on line – you fail. Sometimes we have the same roots, almost ditto likes and dislikes, move in our own spheres, but love to get to-gather for a lively healthy exchange of ideas. Respect and care for the other’s life and responsibilities and yet nothing seems to work. Strange, isn’t it. There has to be a reason – a powerful, believable, reason.
I discussed this to my “thirty-seven year friendship” friend. She didn’t take time to give an answer. “The only thing is gender difference. If one is a man and the other is a woman , things become complicated.”

Maybe she was right.

July, 11, 2013
11:14 Morning.