Relationships are transient! And there is no other place you realise this more, than as an immigrant in a country like this. You travel thousands of miles away from your friends and family to work here, in this country of dreams. You make new friends here, many of whom are from your country and on similar visas. You share everything, be there for each other, for both of you know that staying so far away from family and friends, you do not have anyone else to go to in times of distress or emergencies.
And then comes the day when your work requires you to move out to a newer city or your friend moves on to a newer project in a different city. And then you feel this huge void in your life. And it takes a while before another friend comes in to fill that void.
There are times when you feel down or dejected and want to share your feelings with your mom or your close friend. But you do not want to disturb them in the wee hours of the night or in the morning when they may be busy getting ready to work. You wait till it is a good time to talk, for both of you on either sides of the world and then call, if and only if the issue is still relevant and has not fizzled out already.
Friendships made here are like the relationships made during a train journey. As long as you are in the train, traveling in adjacent seats you share your packed lunches, play games, take care of their babies and exchange stories and anecdotes as you sleep in adjacent berths. But the moment the train lands in your destination you pick up your bags and move on for there is a different world outside the train with so many jobs to be done, resposibilities to be fulfilled.
