Nina was feeling low and it was evident from her dull face. Nirmal knew the reason well, but just to be doubly sure he asked Nina in a concerned tone,
“Darling, what’s the matter? I feel you aren’t happy; don’t you like the place? or it’s because you haven’t made any friends yet”
Nirmal knew what was going to come and with curious eyes he looked at Nina…………………..
“You have been asking the same thing since last couple of days, Yes!! I am upset, and the reason too is in your question itself. I haven’t been able to make any friends…………….” Nina quipped, while putting the dishes inside the dishwater for cleaning.
“I can empathize, but keep trying Dear, you will definitely meet some nice Indian ladies who would love to be your friends.” saying this Nirmal hurriedly planted a kiss on Nina’s forehead and went to his office.
Nina and Nirmal had shifted to Fishers, a suburb in greater Indianapolis a few months back from Houston, Texas. Nina was happy in Houston; she had her own small group of friends, with whom she would hang around after Nirmal and kids went to office. There was not a single matter which wouldn’t form a part of their group conversation. They were like these thick buddies who used to care a lot about one another. All hell broke loose, When Nirmal broke the news to Nina, that they would be relocating to Indianapolis. Nina didn’t want to leave Houston, the place she had called home for past three years. On top of it she has got such a lovely set of friends, the thought of leaving them gave her sleepless nights. But again, she had to do it all for her hubby, who has been slogging it out day and night for this new assignment.
It has been four months in this new city, and Nina is still not over her Houston memories. Everyday after Nirmal and kids would leave, Nina would take her phone and would spend time chatting with her old buddies. Though she had exchanged pleasantries with couple of Indian ladies in her new society, but still she hasn’t been able to strike a chord of friendship with any one of them.
“Maybe it’s because of the language that is acting as a barrier between me and these new set of ladies “thought Nina.
Nina was fluent in Hindi but whenever situation demanded she didn’t mind speaking in her broken English either. On the other hand, this group of new ladies loved conversing in their native language Tamil or English which would be difficult for Nina to understand. Though Nina understood English, she wasn’t that fluent expressing herself in this foreign language and that would deter her morale to the core.
“What will I do? Why doesn’t Nirmal understand? It’s so difficult to survive in this new place without a friend, with whom you can share your thought…Nirmal and kids have their group of friends in office and school, but what about me?” Nina was lost in these thoughts, when her phone beeped. It was a message from Nina’s bhabi, asking her to call back immediately.
Nina’s heart started beating fast and without losing a second she called her Bhabi.
“What happened Bhabi? Mummy theek hai naa ?”
Nina’s mom stayed with her Bhaiyya and Bhabi in Meerut and for last few days she hasn’t been keeping well. Her blood pressure and sugar has been fluctuating and this was becoming a cause of concern for Nina.
“ Mummy ji, theek hai, BP thoda badh gaya tha kal per ab theek hai. Kal woh aapko bahut yaad ker rahi thi, Didi. Abhi dawaai khake so rahi hai, jaise uthengi aapse baat karwati hoon.”
Bhabi kept the phone and Nina’s heart wailed. She was missing her Mom terribly, she had plans to bring her to US but had to keep those on hold owing to her health. She too can’t go now as their Visa was due for renewal.
“Hopefully once the Visa approval comes, will make plans to visit Mummy….” Wiping her tears with a Napkin and tying her hair in a pony, Nina walked past her house towards the society gym, which was few meters away.
From the transparent door, Nina could see Sarita, Asha and Vinita working out on the tread mill.
“They are again going to talk in Tamil or English……………………..” thought Nina and went straight to the Elliptical trainer. She exchanged a warm “Hello” from a distance with the trio and pressed the start button to shed it out. The three ladies were chatting in their native language and despite her repeated attempts Nina was unable to take them off her mind. Her Mother’s ailment, her Houston friends, their potlucks, pic sessions, workout sessions all seem to bug her to the core and tears started rolling down her eyes. She couldn’t hold it anymore and broke down…………………………………..
The three ladies came running to her and while one held her tight in her arms, another ran to get some water and third tried patting her back such that she feels at ease.
“Kya hua, Nina ?” Vineeta asked while patting her. “Why are you upset? Please, tell us what happened ………..”
Nina didn’t know what to say……………. she had never expected so much attention and care from this new gang whom she hardly knew. “Maybe friendship doesn’t need a language……….” thought Nina and held the trio close to her heart. She was happy from within, that finally she has got a set of friends whom she could, call her own.
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Many a times we ladies feel the urge to express ourselves. We want that small group with whom we can laugh, play, and cry. Especially when one is away from home, these group of lady buddies really add to one’s mundane life. If we ladies, have each other’s back then there’s not going to be a single issue, which we can’t fight for. Let’s rise, shine and empower our tribe…………………….
