Mera Porana Dost (Trans: my old friend)

I’ve known Alex since I was 5 years old. When my mom, Jack and I finally joined my dad in the US, we lived the same apartments as Alex and his family. Being the only two Indian guys in the apartments Alex and Jack quickly became the best of friends and I quickly became their shadow. I idolized both of them and made their lives miserable for a few years because I was tag along of everything they did. And being older and boys they hated it but put up with it to a certain extent. Along the way Alex and I became really close as well and he became one of the few people in the world who I know I will always be able to count on.


When my family moved to Rover, leaving Alex behind was one of the hardest things about the move. But fortunately for all three of us, the friendship didn’t suffer. When the whole Kevin situation went down, Alex was visiting us during a long weekend and had just gotten to town the night before. I don’t know how he found me but he did and I was really grateful. Alex has always been one of those people that I can talk too and I know will listen to me and not just tell me to grow up.

Clinging to his neck I let it all out and told Alex everything. Right from the sordid start of the day and Kevin’s big news a few minutes earlier. Alex just held me tightly and let me get it all out. When I quieted down he gently pulled me towards his car and held the passenger side door open and waited for me to get in. I slipped into the car and he shut the door and came around to the driver’s side. Sitting down, he turned to look at me “It sounds to me like you are very confused at the moment. You just figured out that you like one of your best friends and now that friend is dating another friend of yours. I think you need to take some time and process all of these new developments before you do anything. Because you don’t want to do something irrational right now and then regret it later”.

I nodded “that makes sense. Besides I don’t think I can face Kevin and Kallie right now”

I reached over to give him another hug and said “thanks”

He looked at me and suddenly laughed.

Confused I asked “what? Why are you laughing?”

“You have no idea how strange it is to be giving you dating advice, Rors. In my head you’re still way too young to be thinking about boys” he said

“Well think of how my dad feels then” I said laughing

Suddenly serious he asked “uncle knows? That you are dating. That Jack has a girlfriend? I always thought that since he is so old fashioned about everything else, that he wouldn’t let you date anyone. Especially an American boy”

“Of course he doesn’t know. I was just kidding Kevin. If he ever found out about any of this, he would kill me and no I’m not exaggerating..."