A Bond of Friendship

I first met Raman at the Elamakkara Dattatreya Temple during a Rama Navami concert for which I accompanied on the violin. Mercy, one of Raman's disciples, sang with him. The music was pure and unadulterated. After the concert, we exchanged phone numbers.

After returning from Muscat, I got a job as a music teacher at the Isha Home School in Coimbatore. We needed another music teacher, and Raman was the first person who came to mind. I called him, and he agreed to come for an interview. He joined the school as a music teacher.

We had plenty of free time after teaching. Our friendship blossomed in Isha. We would practice music together, go to the nearby tea shop, and take long walks in the forest and fields.

Once, I had booked a train ticket to go home for the summer holidays. In a hurry, I forgot to take it and had already set off on my bike to Coimbatore railway station. I realized my mistake halfway and turned back, but there wasn't enough time. I called Jayashree and asked her to give the ticket to Raman. I thought it would save some time if he could hand it over halfway. However, I later learned that no one was allowed leave outside of the gate of Isha at that time. Apparently, a leopard had been spotted nearby, and the security gate was closed. Everyone was scared and stayed indoors. Raman, disregarding the danger and his own safety, took my train ticket on his bike. Despite being stopped and warned by the security, Raman insisted on delivering the ticket. That was an unforgettable act of friendship.

Friendship is a bond of love, a divine love that knows no gender. It's a connection between two souls, a selfless brotherhood that is priceless. A true friend is the one who accepts and loves you as you are.