Letter #3

To my best friend,

There have always been negative thoughts floating around in your head. It attracts you like nectar attracts bees and honey attracts Winnie the Pooh (look at my attempt at humor, I know, I suck). You're always underestimating yourself, thinking yourself to be less than others. While it's natural for almost every human being to think low of themselves, I don't want you to continue doing it. I have written so many things for different people. I have written things that have come to my mind, both positive and negative. But I don't think I have ever expressed myself fully to you, for you. So this one's for you. To remind you how special you are. How unique, beautiful and one of a kind you are.

Whenever you start getting thoughts like 'I'm not pretty or beautiful' remember that beauty is not always about the outward experience (trust me, I can hear you saying 'Shei re'). It's about the inner soul and yours is pure, honest and sincere. Anybody would be lucky to have you by their side. And if they don't then that's completely their loss (although I would like for them to go to a doctor to get a brain to get a check-up done, just saying) and never yours.

You always think that everybody around you is better than you. I know the feeling of being inadequate and thinking to be not good enough or not talented enough. Because I've felt the same, and I sometimes still do. I've been there and I know it's not a happy place. It's a gray cloud of doubts and unending despairing thoughts that seem to grow bigger as the days pass. But see how I use the word 'seem'? Because it's not actually true. It only seems like it's not going to end. But it does. It does end eventually. Even though it takes a little time, you'll find yourself in the happy place you want to be in. It can happen only if you start your day by trying to be optimistic and thinking positive thoughts (and of course, me, never forget that). Even though it's hard to try to jump from the train of negative thoughts to that of positive ones, I want you to take that leap because I'll be standing on the latter train ready to catch you.

Never be disheartened by the people who have hurt you, betrayed you or left you (by the way, do send me a list of their names for me to have a good talk with them). People have left me too and since I know how that feels, I'm never gonna leave your side (yes, hear that, you're stuck with me forever). You can bet your books on that. Those who have left you are the ones who missed out on the opportunity of knowing such an incredible person. You have not missed out on anything. In fact, you got to experience the negative aspects of life before getting the chance to experience exotic, beautiful and mind-blowing surprises life has to offer.

You are different. The small, little things are what makes you special and different than the rest. You're the person who's in love with the mystery of Netaji, the person who admires Arnab Goswami, the person whose eyes crinkle whenever she smiles, the person who loves to eat and send me pictures, the person with whom I can relate, the person with whom I can share anything. You're THE PERSON for me. You have these little things you do that sets you out from the rest of us and I promise that that's what someday, someone will notice. Someone will notice this and love you exactly for the way you are without you needing to change.

Never forget that you are enough. As a person, as a friend, as a daughter, and as a sister. You are enough and more than enough. You do your duties diligently and try to keep everyone happy. Even though you think you're fooling everyone by that happy smile (or in our case, a happy emoji), I know that behind that facade, you're tensed. You're tensed and anxious about what's going to come and what's going to happen next. But whatever's gonna come, let it. Because I'll be there to face them with you. I know I can't promise that there will never be any more problems but I can promise that you'll never have to face them alone.

I don't know how you're going to react to this sudden public display of affection (and let me tell you, it's a one time thing) and I myself don't know why I did it, but I really hope you read the full thing ('cause I know you're extremely lazy but I'm hoping since it's my writing you've reached till here). I also know you're probably studying now so hopefully, this will make you a tiny bit happy. Thinking that somewhere in Bangalore, your best friend wasted a whole hour of sleep writing this letter to you, to try to make you think more of yourself.

Love you always,

Oindri.