Very rarely do I find myself calling someone my best friend. And I think it’s because when I say it, I really mean it. It’s never just a title I throw around, it’s something sacred to me. It means you’re carved into the softest part of my heart. And the first person to ever hold that title in my life? Teresa.
My childhood best friend.
No matter where life takes me, no matter how much time passes or how far apart we live, I will always love her the same way I did the first time I told someone, proudly, “Teresa is my best friend.” That kind of love doesn’t age. It stays untouched by the chaos of growing up.
We met in Grade 2. Two tiny girls who somehow ended up sitting next to each other. It started there, just two kids with matching pencil cases and endless chatter and somehow, it turned into one of the most beautiful relationships of my life. I still remember how we used to cry if the teacher dared to separate us. Now we live in completely different worlds, but my love for her remains exactly the same.
When I think of Teresa, I think of the color yellow. Not pastel, not dull but sunflower yellow. Warm, alive, constant. She’s the kind of person who wraps you in love without needing to say much. She believes the best in people, always sees the light, and never lets you feel alone. Teresa is the kind of person who will say, “Come with me,” and mean it. She moves forward in life, and she takes you with her. That kind of loyalty? Rare.
In the 14 years I’ve known her, I’ve grown, failed, laughed, cried, and figured out life beside her. She’s the sister I always wanted but never had. Learning life with Teresa was like growing up inside a bubble of safety and unconditional love. No matter where I go or who I meet, there will always be a part of me that needs my childhood best friend.
Now… living in a different country, in my twenties, trying to find that same kind of connection again? It’s hard. It’s like constantly reaching for something familiar in a world that feels foreign. But sometimes, very rarely you meet someone who makes you feel like home.
That person, for me, is Zuaina.
I met Zu when I didn’t even realize how badly I needed someone. And somehow, she just… arrived. No warnings, no big entrances. Just came into my life like a quiet miracle. And from that point on, I wasn’t alone anymore. There’s something about her presence that puts you back together, piece by piece.
She is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. No exaggeration. Her kindness is loud. Her love is real. And her friendship? Healing. Zu accepted me exactly as I am, chaos, contradictions, and all. She didn’t just become my bestfriend, she became family. When I say I’m happy here, it’s mostly because of her. Because I met her when I did.
The first time I hung out with her, I knew she’s going to be that cool aunty of my future kids, the godmother, the one who shows up to birthdays dressed better than everyone else. When I think of her, I see the color turquoise. She’s vibrant, fluid, grounding and serene all at once. With her, there’s no need to charge my “social battery.” With her, I can exist exactly as I am. There’s no filter, no performance just ease.
She’s my person, fr fr. My soul friend. My sister. I’ve never once had a single bad thing to say about her and if you know me, you know how rare that is lmao. She just gets me. She’s like a wind of fresh air on a suffocating day. The kind of friend who reminds you that maybe the universe is listening after all.
And then there’s Komal, my cousin, my family, my forever.
There’s something special about cousin bonds. They straddle the line between sibling and best friend, and in Komal’s case, she’s both. We’ve grown up in the same noisy family gatherings, shared beds, secrets, and late-night existential talks. And through all of it, she’s become someone I treasure so deeply.
Komal is that person who lights up the room. Her energy is infectious. Whenever I’m around her, I feel lighter, more me. She reminds me how fun life can be even on the hard days. She’s thoughtful, hilarious, compassionate, and always knows exactly what to say when I don’t even know what I’m feeling. When I think of her, I think of coral, a color full of warmth, vibrancy, and spark.
She’s not just my cousin. She’s part of my core. Her support and her love feel like home-cooked meals and festival mornings and the safety of knowing someone has you, no matter what. I’m so grateful for her. Even across distances, I know she’s just one call (or unhinged voice note) away.
All three of these women, Teresa, Zuaina, and Komal remind me that love exists in so many forms. Romantic love is cute and all, but this? This is soul-deep. This is lifetime. These friendships shaped me, saved me, and stayed with me. And I’ll spend my whole life loving them back.
Lots of love,
Aashi <3
