Post by AkM
Life is not a bed of roses, they say.
Surely, it isn’t ever.
But life becomes as beautiful as a rose if you have the right people around you.
Being in touch with one such person — my soulmate — for almost a year now has made a lot of things easier for me. A lot.
I was supposed to be in the City of Joy… a city where he grew up… a city I was visiting to be part of an event that was, emotionally, one of the toughest for me.
Over the months, we had often talked about his City of Joy and the joy he would feel showing it to me through his eyes - his addas, his favorite places, his food, his friends, his emotions… everything. Imagining all of it with him only made me want to visit the city even more.
And yet, here I was, traveling to his city without him being there. I kept insisting him to come, that he be there for me, because I knew I would miss his presence. I had always imagined exploring the city with him, and now, I had so many emotions bottled up inside me. I wanted him to be around to calm me down because I knew I might break when I needed to be at my strongest. But life doesn’t give us things the way we want them.
I spent an entire week praying that somehow, he would turn up in the city, even if just for a few hours. But God had other plans. Maybe He didn’t wanted me to break down in front of anyone, maybe He wanted me to learn to hold myself together because that was what the moment demanded.
And so, I traveled to his city without him there.
He was constantly excited about my visit but carried a hint of regret for not being there himself. He kept telling me where to go, how to go, what to do, what not to do — treating me like a little kid - his bachi - venturing out alone. I kept telling him, You’re acting like my dad! I’m not a child anymore! But I won’t deny it, I love when he cares for me like this, like I’m still a little girl. His extra bit of care each day, his constant worry about me… that’s what I cherish the most.
I attended the event I had come for. I had to be strong for my family and for my brother. And yet again, even though he wasn’t there physically, he made sure he was with me the entire time. Despite being miles away, he found a way to be present.
Sometimes, I feel the world is selfish and that people are selfish. But time and again, God reminds me that’s not always true. Life and people can be beautiful, if you are that way for them. In just one day, I met so many caring people who checked on my family, respected us, and supported us in ways I will always be grateful for. They left no stone unturned in making us feel comforted during one of the most emotionally difficult times.
And through it all, I was determined to stay strong, to smile through the pain. I managed, because of him. His constant presence gave me the strength to endure it all. His love—unconditional, pure, and selfless is what I respect the most.
The next day, before leaving the city, I was supposed to meet an old friend — someone I hadn’t seen in almost a decade.
Some relationships don’t turn out the way we wish they would. This friendship was one of them. Things had been complicated, yet I decided to meet him, hoping it wouldn’t bring back any difficult emotions. But as soon as we met, the years melted away. It didn’t feel like a decade had passed instead it felt like just yesterday.
I’m really happy he agreed to meet me.
Glad that we reconnected.
Spending an hour or two together, just like old times, sitting in a coffee shop, chatting about work, laughing, having some serious life discussions—felt comforting. I hope the connection remains, even if occasional, always feeling like it used to.
I don’t have many friends in life, and I do miss those who have cared for me, loved me, and treated me with respect. He is one of those people I miss having around.
After our short meetup, I went back to the airport to fly home — to my responsibilities, to my real life.... so different from the 1.5 days I had just lived.
And there I was again, at the airport, talking to my old friend and my soulmate, wishing I could spend a few carefree days with them.
I truly wish that someday, I get to meet my soulmate in his City of Joy.
To visit his favorite places.
To eat his favorite food.
To meet his favorite people.
To spend some carefree, beautiful moments with him.
And to introduce him to my old friend, who has always wished the best for me.
I wish to spend a few hours with two of the best friends I’ve ever had... my old friend, who has cared for me the most, and my soulmate, who knows me better than I know myself. He is my heart, my soul. He knows me inside out.
Life would be the most beautiful on the day I get to be with both of them.
Ending these thoughts with this wish, as I fly back to my real life —
Being a daughter-in-law.
A wife.
A mother.
A working woman.
A friend.
And embracing the many roles I live each day
- AkM