When distance does not matter

It was way back in the late 1980s, when teenagers Faiz Khan and Anjum Azmathullah met for the first time on a pleasant winter’s evening.

“I was invited to my very dear friend Sarah William’s place at Umanagar, Begumpet, and that is where I got a glimpse of this young lady, who lived in the same neighbourhood. We had a long chat and instantly clicked,” recalls Faiz and adds, “On the very first day Anjum seemed to be a very friendly, cordial and an interesting person.” “We exchanged numbers and left for the evening, and never ever thought that our friendship would grow... How time flies,” says Anjum.

Bonding over Country music
It’s been nearly three decades and their friendship is still going strong. “I would like to stress upon the fact that a good, dignified friendship goes a long way,” says Faiz. It was their love for Country music that bonded them. “She loved Country music, which I was crazy about too, and that was the topic of the evening. We started meeting up as a group at Sarah’s place and at the Secunderabad Club, where she was a regular,” he adds.

Her father, Col. Azmathullah, was closely known to his family, and her brother Affan was his junior in HPS. When Anjum migrated to Canada in 1989 he thought he had lost a friend because back in those days letters and trunk calls were the only source of communication, and as everyone expects, one gets involved in their lives and moves on. But Anjum was different, a true friend. She used to write frequently and stay connected.

“When I got engaged in the early 90s, she wrote a beautiful letter congratulating and wishing me happiness for my future. She was always a source of strength and inspiration,” he stresses. Anjum got married to Dr Zahid Akram in the United States, after which the two friends got involved in their own lives, except for getting to know about each other through friends and family, and they lost touch for a few years in between.

Social network reconnects
“In 2007, I tried to connect with my old friends through social network and finally got back in touch with Anjum,” says Faiz. She adds, “He was exactly the same, and the years that went by didn’t seem too long, it actually felt like yesterday.”
In 2011, the families decided to meet in the United States.

“After visiting many cities, our final destination was Anjum’s beautiful home in Tampa, Florida. We travelled the length and breadth of Florida and had a memorable time,”he says. She adds, “A friendship that had started over a cup of tea way back in the 80s, had now passed down to the second generation, and felt more like family.”

“Though I have a hectic schedule during the day, I feel relaxed spending time with my family and friends after a long day because I believe we just live once, so make the best of it,” says Faiz, and she believes, “Friendship and true friends are meant for a lifetime. One might disagree with the other but the bond should be revered till you’re around.”