Note: This letter was published for inclusion by #InclusiveDuniya and #SarvodayaCollective, as a part of their Letters to Naina (a special child) Contest.
Hi Naina,
You know, though this was ages ago, some memories remain etched forever. Of course, they have faded over the years, and I hope the bad ones vanish entirely with time. But honestly, the initial grief and heartache have led my way to some of the kindest people and the best moments of life.
As a four-year- old with ADHD, I couldn’t follow rules, couldn’t pay much attention to what was happening around me. Playing cricket, football, or some sort of sports somehow happens to be mandatory for boys in our country. But everyone realized soon, that let alone batting or bowling, I couldn’t as much field, thanks to the lack of fine motor skills.
‘LADKI’, well, that was their name for me, that stuck for quite some time. Oh, how I dreaded the Physical Education hours, the so-called friends in the residential society, and my parents’ disappointment.
Until I found her.
She was my schoolmate, happened to stay in the same building, and after all these years, my best friend. Perhaps she lacked the mannerisms and etiquettes of good Indian girls, maybe she was unkempt and too loud. I never knew, or bothered. She was the first to smile at me and ask, “Mere Saath Khelega?”
That one question changed my life.
We cooked up stories, our imagination ran wild, and we were always playing house, the
legendary Ghar Ghar. With the calls of Ladki and Pagal ringing in the background. Did we care? No. We would sing aloud, play till late, and I for once, was Happy. We were
comfortable in being different.
My first-ever Birthday Party invite came from her. Her parents were the only folks in our building to smile, and not glare at my alleged weirdness. Her family seldom judged me. She and her home were my only safe place, other than my own. And I forever wish to cherish these moments.
Mathematics was tough for us, and though I was being pressurized to opt for engineering post 12th standard, it was her research and insistence that convinced my parents to let me choose Humanities.
Can’t thank her enough, and trust me Naina, at 21, both of us have turned out just fine. I’ll be graduating in Journalism, she in Law. My ADHD settled down with therapy. Though advised against it, my parents took me for counselling, and let me tell you, it worked wonders. I felt welcome and confident with every session.
Picking a domain of my interest has indeed helped me feel more at home. I have a small, but compassionate friend circle. Yes, I am in touch with her, we meet for Birthdays and movies.
So Naina, for special kids like you and me, not all people will be your biggest fans. So the slightest bit of kindness should be treasured, as I value her and hold on to the first hand of friendship extended to me.
Remember, we are different and proud.
