18

 

 I turned 18 a few weeks ago. While the thought of "growing up" and being an "adult" excites me I must say that initially I was bound by fear, doubt and a certain sense of sadness by the fact that I was now no longer considered a kid.  I think part of me wanted to still be that 16 year old who was in love with anime, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor who (well to be honest I love all these characters too much to really ever let go of them) 

 Turning 18 did not excite me rather it infuriated me. In my head I was to be a superstar by the time I was 18, in reality I was still the same old shaakya, timid, failing exams and had not won any competitions for oratory in a while. This was not how I planned on turning 18. Definitely not how I had planned. To top it off, ever since we moved to Kandy (I initially lived in Colombo, the urbanized city, and last year we moved here to Kandy the laid back town. Why? you wonder, that dear reader is a story for another time) I made no effort to make friends, I had no friends in Kandy and then it dawned. I was spending my 18th on my own. For the first time in my entire life the thought of spending my birthday or being alone in general was bugging me. I usually revel in being alone I never once really craved for company, I mean all I really needed was the Sherlock TV series, a tub of ice cream and a couple of good books and movies, I was perfectly and completely happy. Well, I thought, Sherlock and ice cream it was this birthday, no friends, no party, no nothing, just me, my parents, brother and grandparents. As time passed I tried not to think of turning 18, and even before I knew it, the 20th of September dawned and I was, 18. Right, let's face the day shall we? is what I thought, I got dressed in my ripped jeans, green t-shirt and walked out of my room, well technically I was awoken by my family who was singing happy birthday completely off pitch in my room. The cards were given to me but.. there seemed to be no present. 

Now right after breakfast, my dad called me to his study and in his study were two trunks with a letter on top. The envelope had a picture of sherlock and that was enough to get me all high and excited. I opened the letter and as I read I realized my brother and I were to go on a treasure hunt to find the key to our boxes (My brother received gifts too). My trail, the "trail of life" as I call it was an unforgettable adventure and with the intention of sharing every tiny detail about the trail, allowing me the pleasure to share my journey and for you to savor the trail I will leave you in anticipation for a while. 

After, the trail was complete we went for a small snack to the Royal Pub and just as I was talking to my dad, from behind someone approached me and said "Here, what are you doing here"? it took me a while to realize that this was my friend, and for a moment I really thought my brain was messing with me. Then my friend called someone and right after that from one corner my other friend jumped out with bouquet of  flowers in her hand. I was beyond surprised and truly truly BEYOND happy! 

Turns out this had been planned all along and despite having school on Monday (My birthday was on a Sunday) they came! they literally cut school just to be with me. My cousins had come to surprise me as well. I didn't know what to think. But if any of them read this article I hope they know that I am so grateful and I feel truly blessed to have them in my lives. I will be as a good a friend as they have been to me.  

I learnt that distance is never a barrier for friendship, if friends are meant to be they will be. The distance is irrelevant the number of times you meet each other is irrelevant.  Even though, some of my friends couldn't make it to Kandy they called me they wished me, they sent me cakes , flowers and books! Whenever I am in need of a confidant they have been so and more. What i also failed to realize was also that, yes one year had passed since I had moved to Kandy and it wasn't that I didn't have friends, I did, just not many. I had two friends from my university who also came to surprise me. It took me a while to realize it but we all I believe have a friend in somebody we are never alone, no matter how alone we think we are.  At the same time not having MANY friends doesn't mean you don't have friends. You do. Just not many. 

My fear of becoming an adult died too after the 20th. I am no longer afraid. I am ready to take up the challenge, I know it won't be easy but even then I am ready to embark on my journey. Don't be afraid to take the challenge, don't be afraid to grow up, because life is NEVER a series of mistakes but rather a set of lessons to learn and grow from.