Can an introvert and an extrovert be best friends? 

Vidya Menon and Tanvee Sushil have been the polar opposite since kindergarten and inseparable for 37 years

The internet loves a certain type of friendship: the excited golden retriever and grumpy black cat or a fiesty orange cat with a quiet Doberman. They’re opposites who are still friends living under the same roof. Scroll through the comments under these videos, and it’s mostly extroverts tagging their introvert friends, saying, “Us”.

If you’re the introverted half of that bestie duo, you probably remember how it started. One day an extrovert found you (bonus points if it happened at a freshers’ party) and simply decided to adopt you. She even got you to dance that evening. The next day, you were moved to another canteen table and introduced to fifteen new people, all at once.

It’s roughly how Vidya Menon, 41 (the self-confessed introvert) and Tanvee Sushil, 41 (the extroverted bestie) met, except it happened in kindergarten and neither of them knew what they were signing up for over the next 37 years.

After school, the two besties also went to the same junior college, under different streams. Vidya chose commerce and now works as a senior banker. Tanvee picked arts, and now works as a theatre actor, producer and PR professional. As GenZ says, ‘they’re the same people, in different fonts’. It’s a friendship that was built on common interests and mutual admiration.

We discovered Tanvee and Vidya through the De Beers Group’s Bestie Bracelet campaign that is a celebration of long-lasting friendships that are rare and unique like natural diamonds. Their collection of natural diamond bracelets serves as a symbol of a bond that’s truly one-of-a-kind. In fact, Vidya recalls filming their audition tape for the campaign with characteristic economy, “We just shot it in my room at 10PM one day and sent it.” And yes, of course, it was Tanvee’s idea to submit the video.

From school benches to salons: 37 years of making time for friendship

Choose your new hangout spots wisely

School makes friendships easy, you’re in the same class, sharing the same bench, there’s no escaping each other’s company. It’s the real world that tests your bond. Tanvee and Vidya agree that most of their chaotic memories were from when they were in school. “We used to have so much fun during recess, creating weird food combos like chaklis dipped in buttermilk or a sandwich stuffed with bourbon biscuits,” Tanvee said, sounding a bit nostalgic and horrified at what they used to eat.

Once school ended, their hangouts upgraded to late-night drives and coffee dates, where they caught up on each other’s lives. They still do it when life allows. “If I were to get a call from Vidya in the middle of the night, I’d probably assume it’s because she wants to go out for a coffee,” Tanvee says. “Unfortunately, the last few months have been quite busy for both of us.”

These days, their catch-ups are a little more relaxing, like getting their nails done or head and foot massages. But, according to Vidya, it’s not the salon appointments that are soothing; it’s because Tanvee won’t stop making her laugh the entire time.

Balance each other out

Forget the ‘mom friend’, a bestie is a little strict and undiplomatic. In Tanvee and Vidya’s case, they’re both accommodating of each other’s differences, but they’re also making sure the other one keeps growing.

Tanvee has watched Vidya change since the first time in a classroom. “It’s mainly because of her job that she’s been able to get used to people. But I remember in school, she would just sit with us and be.” Tanvee doesn’t say this as a complaint; she says it like she’s still in awe of it. She believes Vidya’s maturity keeps her grounded, protects her, even.

“I trust people at the blink of an eye, and she will remind me to be careful around a few people. In the end, I know it’s because she doesn’t want me to get hurt.”

Vidya, in turn, credits Tanvee with balancing out her own life. “She brings me out of my shell quite a bit. One cannot always be practical, pragmatic or serious. And you need something or someone to remind you of that.”

This balance shows up on evenings when Tanvee wants to go dancing at her favourite bar. Ironically, Tanvee doesn’t drink, she just likes to go there to dance. Vidya will be found enjoying her time with a cocktail, while spiritually supporting her bestie off the dance floor like her cheerleader.

Make it bigger than friendship

Friendships need mutual trust, respect and love, but Vidya and Tanvee’s friendship proves that acceptance also makes a bond last. Over almost four decades, neither of them has tried to change the other. They see their differences as complementary and not something to fix. Their personalities never rubbed off on each other; instead, they have learned to read each other’s feelings, say what they need, and let the friendship grow.

In fact, we spoke to them separately, on different calls, and the experiences they shared were almost similar. Both remembered the short period they drifted apart and said reconnecting felt like the easiest, most natural thing in the world. They picked up right where they’d left off.

They do have a larger circle of friends too, but Tanvee and Vidya remain the closest. They stay in the same neighbourhood too and have more chances to show up for each other.

Tanvee always drops Vidya off at the airport, no matter the hour. Vidya is masi (aunt) to Tanvee’s child. Their friendship has evolved from school friends to best friends to now family.

The Bestie Bracelet is more than a matching accessory for you and your best friend. It’s a promise and a reminder of your precious bond. Mark this unique connection by gifting her a natural diamonds bracelet from the collection.