People say “Marriages are made in heaven.” But, not just some marriages, even some friendships are made in heaven. In digital times, when many of us have hundreds of friends in our friendlist, have you ever wondered how many of them would stand by you and your family when life would throw you a curveball?
Recently, we stumbled over a beautiful story of true friendship that would leave you teary-eyed and emotional. This inspiring story is of about a friendship that saw good, bad and ugly times together. This story is about a woman supporting her friend fighting against the brutal cancer till she couldn’t anymore. We hope you will also appreciate the strength of this beautiful friendship that shows some friendships are trully made in heaven!
While sharing the inspiring story with HoB about her friend’s courageous battle against Cancer, this woman mentioned:
“It was 22nd April, 2020 when my best friend Ritika cried and told me that she had Stage 3 Cancer, I was devastated. A day before, while we were laughing, she suddenly felt pain in her breast. We thought it was nothing. I met Ritika in 2019; she was my colleague. But from the first time we spoke, we formed a connection. We were opposites; I was a tomboy and she was a drama queen. But we were soul sisters! We were always singing, dancing, travelling or making tik-tok videos!
And so, when I learned she had cancer, I decided I’d do everything to save her.
She was only 29; cancer made her lifeless. When Ritika’s husband and I saw her feeling sad about chemotherapy, he shaved his head and I organised a ‘Best Friends Photoshoot’ for us!
I remember once, when I was in Jaipur, Ritika called and said, ‘I wish you were here.’ I immediately flew to her. She was so surprised! I hugged her and said, ‘I’ll always be here!’ And when she was in hospital, I’d make her favorite foods. When she couldn’t walk, I’d take her to the loo. Even in the hospital, we’d make videos and I’d dance for her!
She’d spend hours discussing guys she wanted me to date. And when she held my hand and said, ‘I hope to make it to your wedding one day and dance!’ I cried. Once, while she was in the ICU, I played ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge’ and we sang together–I’ll never forget that day.
But after that, her health deteriorated. The only way to save her was through a surgery that needed to be conducted in the US; I was determined to raise the funds. All our colleagues and friends donated and shared her page. And within a few days, we raised Rs. 65 lakhs! I wrote to every minister to get Ritika and her husband a visa to travel during the Covid restrictions. They even received their visas…but it was too late.
On 28th May this year, Ritika asked me to visit her…Maybe she knew it was time. We spent the entire day laughing and talking! Then, for the first time, her pulse dropped below 100. Ritika made me promise, ‘Please don’t allow my mom to cry on my birthday if I’m not around.’ I made the promise.
The next morning, Ritika passed. I felt as if my heart was broken; she was the most beautiful human being I’ve ever known. I keep thinking of the wonderful mother she would have been and visualize her dancing at my wedding.
To heal, I’ve tried to travel and drown myself in work, but I’m nowhere near healing. I visit Ritika’s family often and feel a little better when they welcome me home like I’m Ritika’s sister. On Ritika’s birthday, I won’t allow her mom to cry. Her family and I are also donating the 65 lacs we raised towards social causes.
I doubt I’ll ever recover from Ritika’s loss. But I’ll be forever grateful that I was her best friend in this lifetime. Everyday, I say a prayer for her and sing for her whenever OUR song plays– ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge!’”
