Nerds

" Tu nerd hai" beemed Maaya with her mischievous smile as she teased her friend 

"Main nahi hun", protested Abhay in a rather bored tone, familiar with Maaya's antics

"Tu hai, tujhe abhi pata nahi hai par tu hai" Maaya imitated the meme content doing the rounds lately. 

"Just to be clear, I do know my work and my domain well. Apart from other few things", Abhay could not help but lean into his defensive side and put forth his argument.

"Bruh, you work in tech domain, your language of work is all computer code." Maaya made a do--need-say-more face. "It's as simple as that.?" and shrugged.

"Fine, you win" , Abhay gave in, knowing amply well that this could go on for way longer than he would want it to.

"I always do." Maaya beamed like a child. "Waise you know? My bestie told me, his dad was a bit nerdy too, and his mom is the most devout woman I've ever come across on a personal level. So maybe it isn't that bad to be a nerd".

"But still, I'm not taking the nerd title." Abhay retorted.

Only to realize there was no point refuting as Maaya had already started her little victory dance.

Carrying on their ace level discourse on their respective work-life balance conditions Abhay spoke of his struggles and asked Maaya about hers. While an excellent vocalist in other people's case, Maaya failed to express how deep a mess she had been in lately. Holiday season was not exactly Maaya's favourite time of the year, especially this year. The past few months had not been as productive as Maaya had expected them to be, and failure to change course of this ship was eating at her. 
Having run into Abhay after almost a two-three year gap, and reminiscing the good old days, the memory of her past self haunted Maaya. She recalled how carefree she had been with her confidence and potential, like a young finch learning to fly, and now she felt like a lost bird after a terrible blizzard who had forgotten to fly. She lamented the loss of the person she used to be and the person she begrudgingly was morphing into.

 Abhay sensed the chirpiness fade from Maaya's usual demeanor and asked if she was okay, to which she skillfully lied. A new acquired talent that she had learnt to use anytime she was asked about her well being. 

"Bullshit! You may be good at lying to guys, but I am your friend. So go on" Abhay remarked with a hint of laughter, trying his best to keep it cheery. and that is when Maaya broke down, not because her facade had been revealed, rather because she felt seen and heard. It is hard to be able to see beyond what other people show you, especially when you have a shit show of yours own to run. The world is a busy place and everyone has their own share of baggage to drag around, each being invisible to the other. It thus becomes difficult to see how heavy or light the other person walks. 

"Waise tujhe pata hai ye mar-me-laid kya bawaal hai?" Abhay looked quizzically at Maaya as he read through the menu.

"Sweets, its a marmalade, a jam like thing basically" Abhay smiled at Maaya with a sense of admiration fueled with amusement.

"Okay fine, I do watch way too many cooking shows and am familiar with a few words possibly, but thik hai na. . ." Maaya trailed off only to realize she had walked right in to the trap he laid.

"Tu bhi hai NERD. Haan beta ji. Touche" Abhay remarked with a chuckle, and Maaya followed suit with a smile. A small but genuine smile, maybe this was the break she needed and not an entire holiday season of dolling up and putting up face to strangers; a genuine break to relax and recharge with friends who actually understood her and supported her efforts. 

Sitting on the high stools behind the bar in the old café, on a late December evening ,renewing memories from the old and making some new ones too, the two friends drowned in laughter and a bit of booze. They were both nerds, with high caliber and knowledge, and they were both idiots who passed the vibe check to bear each others friendship. Maybe it isn't so bad to be a nerd, especially when you find other amazing nerds to share your joys and sorrows with. It is always best to stick to your authentic self and be unapologetically you, for no matter where you go your light will shine and bring you closer to your tribe. The one's who truly understand you, and accept you.