To the one closest to my heart

'They' say that nothing good in life comes easy, but 'they' are not always right. You are one of the best parts of mine, and having you with me has been a breeze. From diapers to saris, we have been at each other's throats, and I wouldn't possibly have it any other way. Now that you're married and are with your baggage (husband), I have a few emotional things to say to you.

My very first memory of you would probably be our very first trip to the zoo; we just saw the lion and you tried to roar like it, another one would be on my 5th birthday I guess, when you were eyeing the cake and couldn't wait to devour it. Let's not even forget about our very first trip to Cox's Bazar, and the endless 'katti-bhabs.' Bottom line, you are a part of every fond memory I have of my childhood.

I remember all the nights we pretended to go to sleep just so my parents would let me stay the night at your place. The times we would just want to talk about school and boys, but Arfa wanted to play with us, and you could never say no. The phone conversations we had when your Dad was posted at Jessore. Even the distance or growing up could not tear us apart.

The late-night walks to the Nirjhor Bridge, the long conversations about life, Azwad singing countless Atif Aslam songs, and you not letting me go to bed at night, are all the little things that I will take with me from our early adulthood. In short, we both know too much about each other, and it would be of great risk to ever end our friendship, if you get my drift...

You have been my number one for the longest time, as I have been yours. The insults, the weird laughs, and the endless sleepovers, are my favourite part of 'us.' You have been my one true companion throughout the years, for the last two decades. How many people can say that at the age of 22? We have our dads to thank for this.

While we were preparing for the wedding, my brain didn't register the fact that after all the events, you would be gone, starting your new life, busy with family and in-laws. All the excitement sort of went away when you were sitting dolled up, waiting for the kazi, I never imagined that I would cry as much as I did when Abbu asked you to say Alhamdhulillah.

I didn't cry because I would lose you, I know that was never going to happen, I cried because things weren't going to be the same ever again. Your life wouldn't be all fun and games, that I wasn't going to see you every weekend, and that I am not going to be the one you depend on anymore. I also cried because we are all growing up so fast, soon enough it would be me in your place.

Saying goodbye to you was the saddest and the hardest thing so far, but I wasn't saying goodbye to you at all, it was our childhood. I was so stupid to wish for time to go at full speed, because now, I so badly pray to go back to 2015, when we were both skinny and life was fun.

I am so grateful that I can call you my best friend, my soul mate in so many cases. A little sad that I have to share what's mine, but I'm deciding to be the bigger person, and therefore, allow your husband to take a bigger piece of your heart.