Coincidence in the Time of Lockdown: Meeting My Childhood Friend Again
The start of the lockdown marked a significant period in everyone's lives, bringing unexpected changes and meetings. In this story, I will take you through an intriguing journey of how fate brought me back into contact with my childhood friend after a decade of separation. This tale is not just about a chance reunion but also about the power of coincidence and the human connections that can form even in the most unexpected places.
Setting the Context: Our Childhood Years
Years ago, I had a family friend who lived nearby. Their grandchild, with whom I used to play, was one of my closest playmates. We spent countless hours together at her grandmother's home. As the years went by, our routines changed, and we eventually grew apart by about ten years. I had forgotten about her and her family, and the memories faded into the background of my mind.
A Contactless Contact
One late January, my brother was getting married, and our family friend was a guest in attendance. They hadn't visited in a long time, so it was a surprise to see them there. However, due to the passage of time and my lack of recollection, I didn't recognize her. The encounter was a contactless contact—an intersection where paths cross without a meaningful interaction.
Meeting a Stranger
Months later, the pandemic brought us home, and there was nothing much to do. I installed Tinder—one of those rare instances when serendipity and boredom aligned. As fate would have it, she was also on the app during the same time frame. The coincidence was that not only did we right-swipe on each other, but she recognized me from the wedding. This was a moment of revelation for me, as my childhood friend appeared in an online dating app.
Getting to Know Each Other
Over the weeks and months, we began exchanging messages, and the conversations gradually deepened. We discovered that we had more in common than just our old school days. Late-night chats across the globe introduced us to new perspectives and ideas. Over the next three months, we connected several times, each interaction strengthening our bond.
The First In-Person Meeting
A true coincidence occurred when I had to move to her grandmother's place for my internship. Initially, the internship was scheduled for June, but it got shifted to May, requiring an in-person presence. That day, when I arrived, she wasn't there, so we only managed a brief 15–20 minute conversation. Despite the brevity, it was a significant moment for us, marking our first in-person meeting in over ten years.
The Confession
As the months passed, feelings began to develop. It was August when I started to feel for her, developing a certain attraction. However, her exam schedules and my own commitments kept us apart. After the exams, I decided to confess my feelings, sending a message at midnight on the first day I dared to do so. She responded the next day, expressing similar emotions. Yet, despite these shared feelings, the lack of face-to-face interaction still kept us unsure about our relationship.
The Future
Rather than rushing into a relationship, we focused on understanding each other through continued online conversations. We discussed insecurities and grew to know each other better. The future remained open, and the story continues to unfold.
I know it may be hard to believe this story, but every single word is true. This experience has been a testament to the unexpected ways life can bring us back together through the power of coincidence and the strength of old bonds.