“My mother used to stay very ill when we were little and she died when I was two. Because we were poor we couldn’t treat her and at the same time my siblings and I had to drop out of school. I could only study till my third standard, but I always wanted to study more. I came to Mumbai about four years ago and got a job as a security guard. One of my lady co-workers would often bring one of her friends along. She (the friend) was my age, we started talking and became good friends. I’ve learnt so much from her– everyday she would teach me how to read in English. She has an incredible way of talking and dealing with people and I picked that up from her as well. Today I can understand English well and can read full paragraphs in English, even though it takes me time. I’ve loved her since I was 16 and that’s not only because we grew up together…but because she gave color to my biggest dream as if it were her own.”

Via Humans of Bombay