Bengaluru Tales

Every morning is the same. The concrete jungle has its working hours and relaxing hours. A plate of idli-vada from the locally famous Veena Stores to the 3D Sci-fi movies at the multiplex theaters, everything is made available to a middle-class family. The innocent bellowing of the school children, turned to a callous screaming of young adults, turned to an unending and inaudible roaring of tensed adults - are some of the perks of living in a busy city.

Midst all the noise, emerges Suzi, a friend to man and less a beast to cats. Suzi tags along with almost everyone who cares to feed her and pet her. I am privileged for Suzi takes me to be her friend. We walk along the footpath, and soon reach the nearby park. We play until we are tired and have scared the hell out of other kids, walkers and joggers. We retire for the day, and Suzi is happy with her full packet of Parle-G biscuits. It has now become a routine, for I who am fond of watches leave home exactly at the set time. While Suzi is already there waiting for me. Wonder who tells her the time, and she is never late!

The love between us grew so intense that Suzi had seen me laughing and crying. I shared my happiness with her, and she would convey immense happiness by rapidly wagging her lean brown tail. When I was down, she made all the efforts to put a smile on my face, she was happy in my happiness. I had a friend, a real friend.

One day, I waited for her, but she never came. Days went by and there still were no signs of Suzi. I was low, but I had to move on. Suzi must have felt the same way, but we both knew that we would no longer see each other again. And to this day, Suzi is my unsung hero who taught me what friendship was.