Pocket-SizedDreams

Remember that feeling at 15 when your dreams finally felt real? It was like winning the lottery, but instead of cash, it was about getting an education and dealing with a mountain of guilt from Papa. Yep, that was me when Papa, after weeks of stressing harder than a final exam, managed to scrape together 10,000 rupees for my diploma. Here I was, living my “pocket-sized” dream, while Papa took on all the worries. Maybe I was a little selfish, looking back..

This all happened in April, the month of new beginnings.

Fast forward to the first week of June, and there I was, feeling like a tiny fish out of water, getting dropped off at the hostel with my mismatched luggage – a bucket (don’t ask) and a mattress thinner than a chapati. Too much, right? Papa tried to hide his worry, but the way he kept adjusting his glasses told a different story. “My strong girl can handle anything,” his eyes seemed to say. Easy for him to say!!

I quickly clicked with Subu and Snehi (though I always called her Snehi or even “Moti” because, well, she was!). We formed our gang of 6 Cats within a week. And then, the most amazing part of my life began: Hostel Life…!! Long queues for bathrooms, arranging movie time on weekends (the genres remain a hilarious mystery, but stay tuned for a future hostel life blog! ),, and so on. Back then, my friendship with Subu felt like the ultimate power couple in the hostel. We were practically attached at the hip, whispering secrets and giggling over inside jokes. Snehi? Well, she was like our awesome third wheel, always up for an adventure but content to let Subu and I be the center of attention for a while. Classic teenage mistake, right? We craved the spotlight more than a disco ball! Maybe it was the hostel food messing with our hormones, or maybe it’s just a built-in teenage superpower, but jealousy became our not-so-secret roommate. We competed over everything, knowingly or unknowingly.

Here’s the thing about teenage friendships in a hostel: they’re like a pressure cooker filled with hormones, cafeteria snacks that mysteriously disappear overnight, endless cups of chai, and a constant battle over the last biscuit. Looking back, I can’t believe how much energy we wasted on jealousy wars. It felt like a competition to see who could be the most dramatic, fueled by enough chai and snacks to keep us going.

A Few Years Later: Subu and I, well, let’s just say we had a bit of a “communication breakdown” for a few years. Think silent treatment on steroids. Looking back, I realize closeness isn’t always about grand gestures or constant hangouts. Sometimes, it’s the little things – the person who remembers your drink order, the one who laughs at your silliest jokes (even if they’re secretly judging you), and the one who’s always there, even when you’re being a drama queen (because let’s be honest, teenage me was a pro at that). Snehi’s that person for me. She gets me, flaws and all, and somehow manages to keep me sane.

Picture a Bollywood dance sequence gone wrong, that’s what our friendship with Subu became. Thankfully, Snehi was the cool backup dancer who kept the show going even when the main leads forgot their steps.

Snehi was there for everything, even when I didn’t realize it. She was there for me through thick and thin, even when things got a little… dramatic (ahem, Subu!). It’s funny how closeness isn’t always a neon sign flashing “BEST FRIEND FOREVER.” Sometimes it’s the quiet moments that matter most – the shared laughter over a beauty mishap (like that time with the leg wax…we all have those stories!), or the late-night talks that weave a stronger bond than we realize…!!

Snehi gets me, the good, the bad, weird quirks and all. She’s the friend who accepts me for who I am, even the slightly dramatic version of myself back then. Hey, teenage drama practically comes with the territory, right? It’s how we create those hilarious, cringe-worthy memories.

Of course, a little jealousy and possessiveness are practically teenage badges of honor. But maybe, just maybe, those moments could be better spent creating crazy hostel memories instead. After all, isn’t that what teenage life is all about? A little bit of drama, a whole lot of laughter, and a lifetime of stories to tell. Friendships aren’t about who’s the loudest or the coolest. They’re about the people who accept you, your flaws, the ones who laugh with you (and sometimes at you). Snehi is that sunshine after a storm, the one person who understands my crazy and still wants to be my friend.

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This isn’t just a story; it’s a confession for all my fellow teenagers out there. We all get jealous and possessive sometimes. But here’s the thing: we can also admit when we’re wrong. We’re a work in progress, shaped by our experiences (both hilarious and dramatic). Back then, I wore “strong” like a badge of honor. Now, I crave openness and real connections with the people who matter most. It’s about accepting your weirdness, embracing the chaos, and knowing that no matter what life throws your way, you’ve got a squad of weirdos by your side, ready to laugh (or cry) with you through it all.

Because trust me, a squad of supportive weirdos (who laugh with you AND at you) is the best thing you can take with you on your journey. Your Pocket-Sized journeys.