An Ode To The People Of My 20s And 2016

As 2016 comes to an end, and as I enter the doors of my 30s, I thought of reliving the memories of my 20s by thanking all those you helped me get through it. The last decade and the year 2016 were amazing in every sense. My first travel abroad, riding 3000+ Km from Delhi to Ladakh and back, exploring the beauty of Germany and the Silicon Valley, eating exotic food in Shanghai, freezing amidst the DMZ in South Korea, or experiencing the horrors of Dacau, everything etched in my memory forever. Be it getting my first job, to making it to my dream B-school, to the most amazing year that was 2016, my 20s have been amazing in every aspect. I’d like to honor a few of you for making it so amazing.

To Mom and Dad

Thank you for making me the man I am

Thank you for loving me unconditionally

Thank you for paying my college fees when I couldn't

Thank you for making sure I slept in comfort

Thank you for scolding me when I was wrong

Thank you for giving me advice when I needed it the most

Thank you for your wishes, blessings and faith in me

Know this, it is time for me to return the favor, and I won’t let you down.

To my Band of Brothers

For those moments when we bunked college and ended up playing cards in the next class room

For those moments when we explored haunted houses and abandoned lakes

For those moments when we were insulted for being teetotalers while in Goa

For those moments when I had to endure your snores while I struggled to sleep

For those moments when we rode till sunset in the mystic land of Ladakh

For those moments when we drove through the west coast celebrating the 'encaging' of our beloved BRO

For those moments when we shared 30ml of Pheni with 2 litres of coke

For those moments when we had beers like grown up men in Baveria

For those moments when we celebrated birthdays in the weirdest possible ways

For those moments when we discussed girls we could never have a shot with

For those moments when we fought like kids and forgot about it 2 min later

For those moments when we fell asleep in movie halls

For those moments when we just sat together in silence gazing at the beauty of mother nature

For those moments when we climbed up descending escalators at the malls    

For those moments when we celebrated being single on valentine’s day and hiding from the girls on Raksha Bhandan

For those moments when discussed randomness for hours on Whatsapp groups

For those moments when you made sure to catch up when you were in the city

For those moments when calls began with words like F*****, MC, BC, LKB, Hajaam

For those moments when we christened words like GMG, BIL, G-FIL, B-FIL, CF, ffRff etc (don’t ask me what each of it means :P)

Know this my Brothers, I know I can always trust you with my life and shall always be there for you guys.

 Here's to you guys

To the special women in my life (mother, sisters included)- this is gonna be big

For those moments when you prepared the most exciting dishes I relished

For those moments when you constantly kept calling to know when I was coming home

For those moments when we bunked college and decided not to act our age

For those moments when you slapped/punched/abused me (some I deserved, some I took just to see the look on your face)

For those moments when you drenched my shoulders with your tears

For those moments when you looked so gorgeous that I couldn’t get my eye off you

For those moments when you were the talk of the day when I was with my friends

For those moments when you asked me to wake you up and I did, only to hear you yell at me for doing so

For those moments when fought with me for switching channels when you were engrossed into the TV

For those moments when you made my cry on the happiest day of your life

For those moments when you brought life into this world, making me a proud uncle

For those moments when you made me change the diapers of the very life you created

For those moments when you simply passed a fleeting smile, thus making my day

For those moments when you hesitated to sit on my bike

For those moments when you asked me to protect you from mom and dad

For those moments when you made me have my first sip of booze

For those moments when you and I lunched and dined at restaurants that asked us to leave

For those moments when we were asked to shut up for being too loud at movie theaters

For those moments when you walked out of restaurants for bad service, leaving me to deal with it

For those moments when I was stood up or stuck in the middle of nowhere waiting for you to show up

For those moments when we discussed random nonsense on Whatsapp till 2 am

For those moments when you said goodbye with a smile, promising to keep in touch (but never did)

For those moments when you didn’t forget to wish me on my birthday

For those moments when you hugged me when I felt lost in life

For those moments when you asked me to man up and take control of my life

For those moments when you told me that you didn’t like the color of my thoughtful gift

For those moments when you decided not to invite me for your wedding

For those moments when you invited me for your wedding and I decided to go on a trek instead

For those moments when you called me crying, telling me you had broken up with a guy

For those moments when you told me to be a good son and spend time at home
For those moments when you yelled at me while being my (temporary)crazy driving instructor

For those moments to told me to have some self-respect instead of being the saint

For those moments I had to calm you down after you had a terrible day

For those nonstop chatter in coffee shops, cafeterias, and office lunch tables

For those moments when we discussed national politics like it was our day job

For those moments of cajoling I had to do just to see you get back your smile

For all the gifts I gave you which you in turn decided to give your boyfriends

Ladies, thanks for being a part of my life. It is you ladies that make my life colorful.

Know this, I will always be there for you

Here's to you lovely ladies

To all my mentors, managers and teachers

Thank you for allowing me to make and learn

Thank you for not answering me when I questioned you, thus helping me explore the answers myself

Thank you for those words of advice and knowledge imparted

Thank you for having faith in me and giving me responsibility

Thank you for fighting of the wolves when I was vulnerable

Thank you for making me the small success I am

Know this, I will always be grateful to you

And to those countless people in life who have made my 20s worthwhile (NaMo, Raga, included).

Know this, I thank you with all my heart and soul.

I hope you’ll stay in touch throughout my 30s

Here's to you my friends

I’ll leave you with a verse from one of my favorite songs

“So take the photographs, and still-frames in your mind

Hang it on the shelf of good health and good time

Tattoo's of memories and dead skin on trial

For what it's worth, it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right

I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right

I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right

I hope you had the time of your life”