When we were in medical school, Raga, Tanu and I weren’t friends for the first few years. You could call us acquaintances, but we were never fond of each other. And then we took a little trip together. To be honest, they were not my first preference to go on that trip. It was after our expedition that I felt like I was home for the first time during my medical school journey. They both became my family in just a few days. The time I spent with them, studying, walking, and traveling was the best time of medical school. I still look back at my hostel life and wish I could have spent more time with them.
Now, it’s been five years since all three of us have hung out together. It was I who suggested that we schedule a fifteen-minute video call. Yes, schedule. We grew up! It feels just like it was yesterday when they both were knocking at my door outside my hostel room, every day. There is nostalgia and grief for the times that are never coming back. And today, we look different and talk differently, but things are the same. It’s still us. I am extremely proud of us for being busy and getting on with our lives, and for accomplishing all that we have, and still, there are miles to go. I am happy to make an appointment to talk to them for fifteen minutes.