To the Friends Who Loved Loudly

To the ones who signed us out and faked our names on the night-out register, just so we could sneak away with our hearts full of love and mischief.
To the ones who whispered secrets about our teenage crushes, giggling beside us in school corridors.
To the ones who woke us at 4AM to study, only to fall back asleep — because they believed in our dreams more than their own.
To the ones who wandered hostel corridors at 2AM, just to hear us cry over a boy who didn’t deserve our tears.
To the ones who sat silently beside us when we lost a pet, wishing we’d just hug them and let it all out.
To the ones who sent Mother’s Day wishes to our moms, because they loved them like their own.
To the ones who helped us climb the girls’ hostel wall, just to deliver a sorry card to the one we loved.
To the ones who taught us how to wear makeup for the first time, and made us feel beautiful inside and out.
To the ones whose wardrobes became ours on special occasions, without a second thought.
To the ones who sensed our silence on a busy office day and covered for us in meetings, no questions asked.
To the ones who listened to our Tuesday meltdowns, when life felt like it was falling apart.
To the ones we still visit during Diwali, in the same gali where we once played badminton barefoot.
To the ones who shared flats and secrets, who knew every little thing about us before one of us said “I do.”
To the ones who borrowed money to help us, even when they were broke themselves.
To the ones who became our therapists, our safe space, our calm in the storm.
To the ones who hyped us up even when we were being ridiculous — because that’s what love looks like.
To the ones who ignored our red flags but pointed them out in the people we dated.
To the ones who dropped us home safely when we were too drunk to remember the way.
To the ones whose dance moves made us forget our worries, even if just for a song.
To the ones who made us laugh so hard, we forgot what had gone wrong that day.
To the ones who praised us behind our backs, and meant every word.
To the ones who planned vacations for us, because they knew we never would.
To the ones who brought us little gifts — our favorite chocolate, a keychain, a memory.
To the ones we called first with good news, because we knew they’d never be jealous — only proud.
To the ones we lost touch with, but who were once the very soul of our lives.

To the friends who became family — flawed, fierce, and full of love. The ones who cheer us on like family, even when they don’t have to. The ones who never judge like parents, but love like their own.