"Arey" was the first word that I have ever heard Souradeep say. The year was 2016, the place was Greenwood Nook. We sat at our first Calcutta Cacophony briefing. We did not know each other, at all. We were seated on a bench, Devangshu, Souradeep and I. His exclamation at finding his school friend there, Ashlen, was what that drew my attention to him, for the very first time ever.
Very soon, it was very soon after when I first communicated with Souradeep. He arrived at an event after the event was over, and we both were at the end of a long talk from the bosses. From then on, Souradeep became a regular photographer, for whose pictures I would write captions. Soon, we would be hanging out together, and by the time it was 2018, we used to spend every evening together, walking around the city, talking of life, and what would be coming. I wasn't a college teacher then, neither was he a head honcho in some IT firm. We had little money in our pockets, but our hearts were full of dreams. I would like to believe they still are. I remember the morning when Souradeep and I reached St. Paul's ground first for TSL 3. That was when I knew, we had made it as friends.
I have had a very lonely childhood, as a single child. And I have always wanted to make my friends into "the siblings I have never had". But, with life moving on faster than ever, friends rarely stay back to look after you.
Until, I met Souradeep. He was there, always. Even he was ten minutes late. He would pick me up, at my lowest. People closest to me know, how low I am talking about. He had faith in me, even at times when I did not have faith in myself. He picked me up, held me straight, till I could stand straight on my own.
Through countless nights, over Jim Beam, Smirnoff and (very recently) Calcutta Gin, Souradeep and I have shared some very distressing thoughts, some comforting ones, and the ones that will stay with us forever. From shying away from alcohol to getting us extra rum, Souradeep has really come full circle.
Often underplayed as the younger sibling in the dynamics, I am proud how he has grown up, how he has learnt and understood the "shoulds" and the "should-nots", how he has prioritized his growth, and independence, regardless of hindrances, and adversities. Arguably, he is the most rational out of all of us. Often, the most mature. And I am glad I could rely on him, at every point of my life for the last six-odd years.
Through a shared love for Fried Chicken, Uber Motos, Biryani we have shared the comfortable silence of friendship. Even if we do not meet or talk for a month, I know Souradeep has my back. He probably knows, I have his. And what makes us best friends? His passion for Messi and Barcelona, and my passion for Real Madrid and Ronaldo. But, not for a day have we underestimated our rivals. Not for a day have I underestimated Souradeep.
He's leaving, with the sunrise. And I will probably be sleeping when he flies off of Kolkata. What hurts is, I'll no longer be able to talk to him, sitting on the rails of the deserted Geetanjali Stadium, about how difficult love is. What hurts is that I will not be paying for two plates of Kochuri and Jilipi at Maharaaj anymore. He'll not order coffee, as I order the chaa from there, anymore. We will no longer chance upon Chandrabindoo over at Maddox anymore, on Ashtami, and decide to stay back till the concert ends, anymore. We'll no longer hang out at Olypub, anymore. We won't hang out at Hoppipola anymore. He will not be asking me to stop wasting money at TimeZone, anymore. I will not buy gifts for a friend's birthday, on his behalf, when he forgets, anymore. He will not call up at odd hours saying, "Anurag Da, ekta case hoyechhe". He will not ask me to Swiggy Genie him my beard trimmer.
So many memories. So many associations.
With Souradeep leaving, it will be the last of my best friends leaving town. The other one left for Delhi. This one is off to Bangalore.
I stay back. I keep the memories alive. Someone has to take care of this city while these crazy folks go on and do crazy things.
Time and age make fools out of us all. I remember the Anurag and Souradeep from 2018. The naive boys, eyes shimmering with hopes and dreams - all grown up, now. The dreams stay, the hopes linger on. Some things around us change. And that takes lives to places uncharted. But, that is adventure, too.
Souradeep starts a new chapter, with the sunrise. And I'm here. But like my other best friend said, "I will not wait for you in the front row. There will be a lot of people to applaud you, congratulate you, pat your back. I will be last. I will be at the back. I will be the one who knows YOU. The you, underneath all the glitter and lights. I know the you, from the time when you were on the path to be you. I will always be the last, because I know you the best."
The Subhendu Chatterjee to my Uttam Kumar. Now and always.
Godspeed, Souradeep. Walk, run, fall. But, don't stop.
Note: Souradeep is far-off from being the same guy from Souradeep'er Gaan.
Sincerely,
Peter 3,
Anurag Da.
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