Mon ami Jim

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"What did you do in school today?" My mom asked as she prepared my favourite after school food, pancakes.

"kaan't rhemembher .. whass playying.." I replied with my mouth stuffed with pancakes.

"Eat your food and then answer. Never speak with food in your mouth." my mom responded with fake anger in her tone. I always enjoyed this time when my mother could sit with me as I ate. I started narrating what happened in school that day.

"I went to school early. Jim and I played handball near the banyan tree till the school bell rang. During the class, Jim said something to me which made me laugh.  I had lunch with Jim, and then we went for a walk around the school campus." 

"Looks like you enjoy playing with Jim. Where does he live?" asked my mother. 

"Well, somewhere to the other side of the school. I don't know. Jim says it takes him more than 30 minutes to reach home. He stays in his father's office quarters." I replied.

"Call him home one day for lunch," said my mom as she walked away. 

"Call Jim?" I thought to myself. 

The next day at school, I was sitting under a tree chatting with Jim. 

"Jim, my mother wants me to invite you home for lunch," I said.  

"That's very sweet of her. What did you tell her?" He asked. 

"Well, what do I tell her? You are a figment of my imagination. A friend I created to ensure I don't miss not having one." I replied, staring at the space next to me.  

The trauma of being alone, unable to find a companion to cherish at school, and the inability to deal with the anathema of my classmates left me to manifest the feelings to create an imaginary friend. It has been a year now.  I wasn't schizophrenic. I always knew Jim didn't exist. I never heard a voice or saw him. He was a comforting friend, albeit illusionary.  The abyss between reality and my figment didn't bother me. I was always quite affectionate to Jim, though my affection lands nowhere. I wasn't sure how long this relationship would go, but I was always sure I would meet Jim in real life one day.

I always thought friendship was an evolutionary enigma. The idea of being an unconditional friend to someone has always attracted and intrigued me at the same time. My theory of friendship has always been simple. Not everyone is blessed with all types of relationships which love them and they can love back. The nature of each of these relationships are very different. An elder sister's affection doesn't always replace an younger one's chirpiness. An elder brother's protection will not be able to replace a younger brother's warmth. Friend can be all those and more. Of all relationships one develops, a true friendship is truly something to marvel. It naturally makes one to give more than they take. It makes sharing an act of pleasure. Above all it transcends gender, race, culture, ability and any other form of barrier. 

A tribute to the friend

Behold my friend, an ally steadfast, 
What gift is thy for my soul to last,
An enigma of kind not ever found,
caring and stern with warmth so profound.

Etched in my memory is the day I met thee,
little was I aware of the journey we'll see.
Strolling in your memory, hope I will,
with the same pleasure that my heart you fill. 

Partisan you are, to protect my glee,
Kin you become, when I need thee,
Mate you are, as we set ourselves free,
Oh, same I feel for thy with all jubilee.


Tunes of melancholy tremble through my nerves,
When a day goes by sans thy sound in my ears.
Oh, the warmth and care has never changed,
For ever will I laud the kinship we gaged.






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