I know I’m late with the Friendship Day post, but I’m back with an interesting one! It was one of those days when nothing seemed to go right. I was feeling unwell but had pushed myself to attend a work meeting. The day had been a struggle, and I contemplated skipping the meeting entirely. Yet, I somehow made it to the venue. To my surprise, the meeting ended earlier than expected. I thought about heading home, but since I hadn’t eaten lunch, I decided to grab a bite before calling a cab.

As I settled down to eat, a colleague who had been at the meeting with me joined me. He seemed to sense that I wasn’t in the best of moods and insisted that I stay a little longer. He mentioned that his friend, whom he hadn’t seen in over a decade, was coming to meet him. He wanted me to meet his friend, perhaps as a way to lift my spirits or simply for some company.

Reluctantly, I agreed. We waited for what felt like ages until his friend finally arrived. I was unsure about staying. After all, this was a reunion between two old friends, and I felt like a third wheel. However, my colleague insisted that I stay, so I did.

They decided to grab some drinks. I don’t drink and have rarely been to places that serve alcohol. We went to a bar where they ordered some shots, which they didn’t particularly enjoy. I found myself questioning what I was doing there. None of these people were my friends, I had no interest in drinking, and all I really wanted was to go home and rest. Yet, there I was, sitting in a bar with two strangers.

Curiosity got the better of me. I was intrigued to see what two men in their late thirties would talk about after such a long time. As my colleague took a phone call that lasted about half an hour, I sat there, contemplating my presence and feeling a bit out of place. We made some small talk, but it didn’t flow easily. Today just wasn’t my day for conversation.

When my colleague returned, the conversation took a surprising turn. They talked about more than just their past memories; they delved into personal matters, discussing their families. I was even more surprised when the friend started sharing his poetry—pieces he had written for his daughter and wife. I didn’t expect grown men to express their feelings so openly. It was a touching moment, and my colleague encouraged him to continue sharing and to embrace his emotions.

They spoke about their past adventures, their present lives, their achievements, and their possessions. Despite the years apart, their genuine happiness for each other was evident. They didn’t let my presence as a third wheel overshadow their reunion. They made a point to include me in their conversation, sharing stories and laughter.

They talked about everything from families, love interests, struggles, and successes to numerology, work, cars, and even a PINK drink. The conversation was a delightful mix of the ordinary and the extraordinary. They respected each other’s friendship, and even though they had just met, they made me feel welcomed and included.

Before we parted ways, they made sure I caught my train and ensured I had a comfortable journey home. Their kindness and respect for one another left a lasting impression on me.

In the end, what started as an unexpected detour turned into a memorable experience. It reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful connections and moments come from the most unexpected places.