A Friend in Memories - Nishanth Selvakumar

I still remember the first time I met him...He was shy and walked out of his room in his torn faded blue jeans and a grey tee. He smiled a lot but hardly said anything more than a "Hello," and walked back quickly into his room. He had just won some Mr. Something title at some fashion show the previous day.

I don't remember exactly when I met him after that but I do remember that we became friends. We fought like siblings and discussed 'stuff' like friends...It was easy. Through him and his brother I met his family and our families met and we became family friends!

Over the few years we got to know each other really well...I met him last in India the night before I flew to the United States. I gave him a hug and we promised each other that we would meet in the USA.

Well that never happens does it?? It was December 3rd, 2004 before I met him. We were so happy and excited...We just couldn't believe our eyes. But we spent only an hour or a little more than that. It felt so good. We spoke about everything from his tensions about his Dec. 27th engagement to our future plans like we always did. He was such a good listener and a great person to be with.

For about a year I was unemployed and lazing around at my parents when he and I would talk for hours at a stretch discussing each others girlfriend/boyfriend issues. Advicing each other about how to deal with our better halves...I followed almost everything he said. He was very matured and sensible when he wanted to be but a child at heart.

He always made it a point to keep in touch with everyone in my family, especially me and Balaji. We spoke over the phone at least once a month even after I got a job and moved over to Dallas. He kept promising me come and visit me during his spring break...But joked saying that he would rather be at Cancun with his friends than with me in Dallas...He was naughty as hell...

But today, nearly after a year since he left us to be in a better place...I still miss him. His innocent but charming face that I remember from the last time I met him is in front of my eyes. To me he has become an angel looking over all of us. I hope he is safe and happy wherever he is and pray that his family will get through the tough time...

(PS: Nishanth had asked me a couple of years ago to write about him for his website that he was planning to create. I never got around to doing it. I still feel guilty about it...I wish he would forgive me for that).