In a journey that’s filled with descents and ascents, where the same road leads to different destinations and different roads join to form a single road, where sometimes even with a flat tyre one has to gain speed, where even in the highway one must travel as slow as a snail, one needs warnings, signals, road blocks, directions, speed breaks, auto shops and most importantly, a companion to pursue what lays beyond the horizon. The uncertain voyage termed as life needs all those and more, if a person is to successfully complete the race unscathed and on time. But we need company in this big race of ours—people with whom we can share our joys and sorrows.

We come across different types of people. Many have their own agenda who just wave at us as they continue on their own expedition, few share common goals with us, but they depart after a certain point, never to return again. Only a handful joins us with no hidden interest of their own, aiding us much as they can in fulfilling our vision. The first kind of people are acquaintances, the second kind are friends and the third are best friends or your better half, without whom you feel lost even in a vacant one storey single room.

Friendship is multi-laned. Each lane has its own shade. They are of three types: a silent partner, an active, behind the scene optimist and a reactive showman.

The silent partner is the one who remains invisible throughout the project and pops up at the very last, only to rip the sweet fruit of labour. When faced with juncture, they disappear only to reappear once the bridge has been crossed. They voice no opinion of their own and sway where the group is swaying. But they pull through for you when you least expect it and that too with a decisive voice. So when they do voice out the group tends to listen.

 The second type is present whenever and wherever you need them. They are at your beck and call. They stay for the whole project and you forget to appreciate them when the project’s done. They see the silver lining when the rest of us see a pitch black sky covered with rumbling clouds and hear the thunderous roar with storm beating against the sail. Even when the rest mark you for doom, they stick around with an eraser at hand, ready to charge. They perceive your failures as stepping stones for your goal. They pump up your morale so much that even when it’s wrongly placed, it feels right. The downfall feels like the culmination of the sins of your previous life. 

 The third one is one whom you call gloomy. They too are omnipresent regardless of your need for them. They pop at times when you’re feeling invincible to remind you that you are still mortal and able to bleed. During any project, they bicker about things going wrong but never take initiation and action. They lurk around for the accidents to happen not to aid, but to shout “I told you so”. Even in a clear sunny spring filled with aroma they see the unforeseen black thunderous cloud with a salty scent. They lower your self-respect to the extent where even the depths of hell feel like the heights of heaven.

With this mixed group, one must carry on a carriage if one is to ever reach the finish line. But we must know when to tune out and when to tune in, how to maintain a balance between the three partners of the carriage or else it’s just another accident waiting to happen, making the auto mechanic brim with joy.

Byanjankar is a student of Pulchowk Engineering Campus