They came, they charmed, they conquered. They are sorely missed during lunch, during tedious meetings, and when I need someone to roll my eyes at for whatever reason.
I haven't said much about the twins on here, although Twin 1, who we will henceforth refer to as Kalashnikov, demanded a "blog" about himself several times. This is why I never wrote about them in any meaningful capacity. I am not told what to do, Mr. So-Called Gentleman!
As much as I'd like to avoid the inevitable, I do have to say that they were the highlight of every day. We became friends over the little things. A shared love of all things Ralph Lauren. Familial obsessions with golf, including virtual mini-golf competitions on slow days at work. And who could forget office-wide garbage bin basketball competitions?
They added a much needed spice to the monotone of our days trapped in corporate gloom.
As brothers, they are inseparable. When I first met them I found it endearing that they couldn't pick their lunches off a menu without conferring.
"Baloo (Twin 2), pesto pasta?"
"Si"
Sometimes that was substituted with a club or turkey or salmon sandwich. What mattered was that the other brother approved.
As individuals, they couldn't be further apart. Kalashnikov is fiery, passionate, proud, arrogant, quick-witted, soft-hearted, kind, and a self-proclaimed "gentleman by nature".
"I have three women in my life; my grandmother, who taught me to be a gentleman. My mother, who taught me to be a man, and my girlfriend, who will never take precedence over the first two."
I would say that I was closer to Kalashnikov, purely because we bonded over a shared exasperation with his (now) ex-girlfriend. I was his occasional confidante, which I admittedly enjoyed because it meant this otherwise private person trusted me. I may not have agreed with the way in which he allowed himself to be manipulated in this relationship, but I understood why and how he could not see it as such. It saddens me that he was hurt, but I am glad he became the wiser for it.
Baloo is by far the more laid back of the two. He is funny, sweet, genuine, a huggable teddy bear, and a joy. He is just as kind-hearted as his brother, but does not allow his kind-heartedness to be used against him. In that sense he is more worldly than Kalashnikov, who is more worldly in his sociability and demeanor.
Baloo is the simpler of the two, content with his girlfriend, his football, his palate, and his playstation. He is the family man. Kalashnikov is more restless; he has more to prove to the world. Baloo plays it as it lays. Kalashnikov needs to brush the grass around it meticulously, walk around the perimeter, and possibly contest the lie before playing on.
Baloo is the Yin to Kalashnikov's Yang. They are complementary opposites producing a great, unique whole. I am privileged to call them friends, and sincerely hope our friendship does not fade with distance. I have great expectations of them, and I know they will not disappoint.
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