The café door opens just then and I see Vedant walk in. There’s this thing about old friendships that really makes them priceless—sooner or later, they make you realize that every time you see each other, you’ve changed a bit. Vedant and I meet each other every six to eight months, and each time, we witness the changes we’ve been through. As I see him catch sight of me and walk towards where I am sitting, I see that the changes in him are so pronounced that he just doesn’t seem like the same wild guy who would tear off the jersey of every guy in the school locker room after winning a match. Because there he is, all dressed up and gentlemanly in a white shirt, now damp and wrinkled in places due to the city’s humidity, and a pair of trousers, his beard neatly trimmed and his hair combed back. His entire persona is reflective of his place in life—he’s the successful corporate guy who has made it big.

As for how much I’ve changed over the years, that is something that only Vedant can tell you. But because this is my side of the story, you won’t, unfortunately, get to hear his.

‘Hey there! It’s been too long! How have you been?’ Vedant interrupts my stream of thoughts with a hug and a thump on my back.

‘It does feel like it’s been ages since we last met! I’m good, just keeping busy with work and the usual back-to-back travel,’ I respond.

‘Yeah, the last time we met, Chulbul was still expecting; she was in her second trimester, I think. But look at me now, I have a three-month-old baby who keeps us awake through the nights!’ He shrugs and grins.

‘Congratulations, dude! I still can’t believe that you’re a parent now! What’s it like to be a father yourself after having hated your own father for ages?’ I ask, laughing. Vedant never really got along with his father.

‘It’s one hell of a ride, man. Sleepless nights, milk on demand, endless crying and dirty nappies and blah and blah. But every moment is worth it. It’s just incredible to watch a tiny human grow every day. You never actually remember yourself as a baby, do you? So, it fills you with wonder,’ he says, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Just then the waitress comes up to our table. ‘What would you like to have? The special salted caramel coffee is our new hot favourite beverage.’

‘Let’s have that?’ I look at Vedant. I can never get enough of coffee!

‘I’m up for it too!’ he agrees.

‘Anything to eat?’ the waitress asks.

‘Nothing, thanks,’ Vedant tells her.