“I don’t even know why we are here.”

“Where?”

“Here. In this world. Existing.”

Yash huffed out a smile and continued to munch on pistachios.

“I am glad, without a doubt, that God decided to put one of you here, regardless of the reason. Is there something bothering you?” Yash asked.

“Nothing much, I’ll be fine. Just thinking a little.”

“Well, you did not even pinch my food and you are talking way deeper than usual. Clearly, this isn’t anywhere near ‘nothing’ or ‘a little’.”

Anna giggled.

“What’s the matter?” Yash questioned again.

“I don’t know, man. You just go about your day and everything feels fine, then your mind randomly decides to remind you of everything that you have messed up in the past. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

“Too much free time is it?” Yash smiled knowingly.

“Exactly. That’s exactly our problem. Just a bit freer time than usual and you start recalling things you should have forgotten a long time ago.” sighed Anna rather heavily.

There was a long but comfortable silence between them.

“Do you still remember how we met?”

“Of course I do. Your car’s side mirror accidentally slammed into mine. It feels like it happened, just yesterday.” Anna laughed, recalling the incident that took place four years ago.

“Silver lining. I am glad I made that mistake. That’s how I found you. And just like that, in every mistake we make, we understand a part of ourselves better, because it’s never about the failing or messing up. It’s always about how we get back up again. We make mistakes, we learn, we take what it teaches us and let the rest go. That’s the point of existing. At least, that’s how I see it.”

Anna breathed easily.

“As cheesy as it sounds and I know we don’t say this often, I’m glad I found you too.”

“I know, I’m amazing. You’re welcome.”

“Not so amazing when you hit my car.” Anna said jokingly, rolling her eyes.

“Come on. Life would be pretty boring without mistakes.”

“Yeah?”

“I mean, look at you, all dull and gloomy. Your life is festive because of me, right?” Yash chuckled.

“Very funny. I honestly expected you to say something philosophical but I wasted five whole seconds of my life paying attention to you,” Anna teased, as her hand finally found its way to the packet of pistachios.

The two friends’ laughter seemed more beautiful than the setting sun that evening.

Cover image by Tori Wise on Unsplash