Shh! Not A Writer.

                         Ah, the twenties. A decade marked by self-discovery, career building, and... relentless questions about your marital status. If you're in your twenties and single, you've probably faced the inquisitive barrage from well-meaning relatives,  and  nosy neighbours who somehow feels invested in your love life. Welcome to the marriage market, where your relationship status is everyone’s business, and your personal timeline is apparently a communal project. It starts innocently enough. One day, you're basking in the freedom of young adulthood, enjoying a brunch with friends, and the next, one of the distant Aunts is cornering you at a family gathering with a pointed "So, when are you getting married?" It's as if an invisible alarm clock, audible only to those over 50, starts blaring when you hit 23. And heaven forbid you attend a wedding; the whispers and nudges intensify, each bouquet...

                    Friendship is one of those beautiful things that often finds a way to thrive despite the ups and downs. A year ago, I lost touch with one of my closest friends from college. She was my person—the one with whom I shared my deepest emotions, happiness, and sadness. She was my confidante through all the good and bad times. However, a gap formed between us due to a series of misunderstandings. We both felt it, but neither knew how to bridge it—until now.  Last week, I decided to visit her place. A surge of emotions hit me, and I realized how much I missed her. I couldn't shake the feeling that our friendship deserved another shot. So, mustering up some courage, I reached out to see if we could meet. There was a mix of excitement and anxiety as I texted her, but to my relief, she answered warmly. It felt like a small but significant victory.           We met at a café and s...