For most of us school memories are filled with lots of happiness and nostalgic memories.However, for some like me school memories are not so pleasant.I had to undergo lot of problems and pains during my school days.When I think of those days I simply wonder how I survived all those ordeals .The only answer that comes across my mind is my friend Alphonsa.

Alu as I fondly call her was a very simple human being.She had a very different way of understanding and judging everything.Alphonsa,Renju and I were best friends.I could confide each and everything to both of them.Renju was like a sibling,we used to love and fight with equal pleasure.Alu was more mature and more focused than both of us.For others, she was a very quite girl who would rarely interfere in others matters.But for Renju and me she was an entirely different person.She loved having fun and being happy.We used to sing endlessly and so we were nicknamed Radio mirchi,FM etc by our classmates.

She loved surprises and excitement.Together we enjoyed the most and made the best of the time we spent with each other.Alu would rarely speak to others in class but with us she used to talk endlessly.She was a great dancer too.I vouch for her break dance skills.Nobody who knows her would believe that she could dance and that too break dance.

She was there with me through my thick and thins.It never bothered her to be friends with me even at a stage where everyone decided to ignore me.I used to rely on her totally for opinions and decisions.I could win all the odds only because of the strength that I gained from her moral support.I had become dependent on her totally for everything I did.Whether it was next day's timetable or stomach ache or arguments at home she had solutions for all my problems.She always said God is there with you.He will save you and support you from all problems.Even a single leaf does not move without His permission,you are His child, so you are more special.He will take care of you. She would be equally happy for my achievements and equally upset when I faced problems.It was Alu was encouraged and motivated me to write more.This is the reason why I wrote more during my school days than today.

Destiny always has its own plans .We got separated.I thought that we would never be able to meet again.But again destiny brought us together.I was really happy to be back with my friends.But something really unexpected was waiting for all of us.Alu had decided to join the convent and become a nun.Renju and I were shocked when we heard this news.We were inconsolable.A girl like Alu who always enjoyed life to its fullest was going to face a life full of struggle.We could not imagine such a life for her.We three were so close to each other but she never mentioned anything about her intentions to become a nun.

However, after meeting her we realized that she took that decision at that moment and had never planned it in her life.After talking to her several times we were assured that she was indeed happy with her decision.Today she is a very hard working nun who has sacrificed her family,friendship,all pleasures in life including her break dance for the Almighty.She now teaches poor kids,nurses AIDS patients,works in fields with farmers,teaches different languages to the villagers,praying for each and everyone of us.She is doing all the bit from her side to make this world a better place.

I do not know whether she will ever be able to read this.However, if she reads this, she will only thank God for gifting her a friend like me, that is the most beautiful thing about my dear friend Alphonsa.God has been really kind to me,who else in this world has such a wonderful friend.