Originally Published in the June 4th Print Publication
Archini Koushik and Smilangi Dasari have been best friends since second grade, and as seniors, they reflect on their decade-long friendship with fondness. “Our brothers were in the same class,” Archini said .“So our parents noticed each other and encouraged us to be friends.” Though they’ve changed over the years, they feel that their core personalities remain the same. “Honestly, as people, we’re both… really the same, but we’re just bigger,” Dasari said. They both agree that their friendship has no room for significant arguments. “We’ve never gotten into an actual big argument; we’re like sisters,” Koushik stated. “We just bicker like, if you haven’t noticed.”
Now heading to the University of Washington together and even rooming together, they humorously anticipate the challenges ahead. “We’re gonna fight a lot in the dorm,” Dasari said. “But I think we’ll be fine.” “She’s really good at helping me… she’s never the kind of person to feed into my own delusion,” Dasari said. Koushik added on, saying, “If I do something stupid, you’ll be like the first one to smack me out of it,” showcasing the balanced dynamic of their friendship.
Their daily routines also reflect their close bond. “During seventh period, we go to my house and cook food every day. It’s been like a tradition,” Dasari shared. They stay connected even outside school, often calling or FaceTiming each other. As they look back, Koushik mentioned that their favorite memories involve their cooking sessions. “Those are some of my favorite memories,” she said. Meanwhile, Dasari fondly thinks of the random, light-hearted moments they share. “It’s not like one big thing; it’s just those little things.” The two acknowledge their differences while emphasizing how they work in harmony. “I feel like she’s the more emotional one.”
Koushik mentioned that their favorite memories involve their cooking sessions. “Those are some of my favorite memories,” she said. Meanwhile, Dasari fondly thinks of the random, light-hearted moments they share. “It’s not like one big thing; it’s just those little things.”. “We just get to enjoy each other’s company and talk about everything—school, our plans, and our lives.”