These days it’s rare to come across a love story that has the potential to turn into a romance novel. Or in this couple’s case, a Bollywood movie. Meet Anahita and Arush. Anahita is a hot-shot-chef-in-a-fancy-restaurant. Arush is that lawyer you don’t want to cross. What happens when a Punjabi boy meets a Parsi girl?
Photo credits: Bhumika Bhatia
The opening scene of their film would have two scrawny teenagers, clad in untidy school uniforms, screaming insults at each other. Fast forwarding it (13 short years later,) you’d see him on a pretty rooftop, down on one knee, proposing to her. If you’re wondering what happened in those 13 years, then we’ve got something for you. We have the two lovebirds on board to talk about their journey and the next chapter – and most importantly, their upcoming big fat Punjabi/Parsi wedding. Here’s a little piece of their heart-melting journey…
So, how did it all start?
Anahita: We were in the same class in the 6th standard and hated each other. I thought that he was the kind of guy, I would never be friends with. In ninth, Arush called me for some holiday homework and that’s how we became friends. But, he actually ‘tricked’ me into saying yes to him. We started going out and I don’t know when, we just fell in love. We faced a lot of ups and downs but got through them and came out stronger. There was a point in my early twenties when I knew he was the one I wanted to be with forever. I didn’t say anything about it to him because I didn’t want to freak him out. Also, I wanted to concentrate on my career. We had been deeply in love all this while but took our own sweet time to finally take the plunge. We’ve been together for 13 years, been through many ups and downs but came out of all of them. And now here we are, getting ready for our wedding!
Arush: I took her number on the pretext of asking her about holiday homework, and the next day our summer break started. I mustered up courage and called her one day. After that, we started talking every day. Even when she went to her relative’s place out of town and I went to Mussoorie, we kept constantly chatting. Then one day I told her that I liked her and asked her if she would go out with me, but she refused. A few days later, I went for a movie with my mom, sister and another cousin and messaged Anahita that I was out for a movie with three hot ladies. And that did the trick! She got so jealous, that half an hour into the movie, I got a text from her saying that she would go out with me. So basically, her jealousy worked out well for both of us.
That one favourite memory?
Anahita: It has to be our first date! We were in 10th standard and since we couldn’t drive anywhere ourselves, we had a driver take us to Olive Bar & Kitchen in Mehrauli. It was so sweet and innocent, almost like two friends going out for dinner but with a certain spark. I still remember the table we sat at, the dress I wore and what we ordered. I ordered a Caesar salad and he ordered pasta. He ended up eating my food because I was so conscious and nervous that I just couldn’t eat. Later in life, I went on to work with the Olive Group and we had our engagement party there too!
Arush: We went to Goa for a friend’s sister’s wedding, and after the functions, all of us decided to stay for another couple of days. It was our 10 year anniversary. We always knew that we couldn’t both get drunk at the same time. So, one day when Anahita got drunk, I literally had to hold on to her so that she didn’t fall and I got her back to the hotel, where she passed out. I left her a note saying that if I’m not in the room when she wakes up, I’ve gone to get her food. Then, the next day, we went to a bar and I got totally sloshed. Anahita literally had to stuff me into a car, drive me to the hotel, where I passed out. She then left me a note saying the same thing I had written to her the previous night. That’s when I realised that I would never find this kind of love again in my life.
What is Anahita/Arush’s most annoying habit?
Anahita: He’s a lawyer so he uses all these big words that I don’t understand, which really annoys me. So, if he has to explain something to me, he goes all Exhibit A and Exhibit B on me, and I’m so lost. Now I’m getting accustomed to it. I now find it funny, annoying yes, but still very adorable. It strangely makes me feel happy and proud that he knows so much more than me.
Arush: Whenever I refuse to do something, she goes into this childish mode where she starts bugging me and saying “please, please, pleaseeee Arush” in the most kiddy way possible, and I eventually have to give in. But I find it very annoying, adorable but annoying.
Who is the sane one and who is the crazy one out of the two of you?
Anahita: I am crazy 24X7, Arush has his moments. People tell him all the time that he’s with such a crazy person. He is calm and relaxed, whereas I want to take on everything and do everything. He might be calmer, but he has his crazy moments especially during events and music fests. But yes, he can’t keep up with me. I’m constantly crazy.
Arush: When we started dating, for the first few years Anahita was the sane one and I was the crazy one. We have both had our phases, we both have had our share of sane and insane moments. But I think, she has generally been the calmer one through our relationship, but I can’t say for sure!
Who is freaking out more about the wedding (if at all)?
Anahita: I’m not really freaking out, but there are moments. It’s natural to be nervous before your wedding. We have been looking forward to this for a very long time. But, it happens to every bride-to-be when she suddenly realises that, ‘oh finally, this is it!’…responsibilities, leaving your mom’s house, so much happening and changing. I think, that the time before you get married is extremely special because you bond with your family more since you know you’re going to leave them. It’s not like college that you’ll go out and come back home. It’s permanent. Also, staying busy and going with the flow is the only way to remain sane before the wedding because otherwise, you’ll just keep freaking out and crying.
Arush: No, I’m not freaking out at all, I just have butterflies in my stomach. It’s the beginning of a new era and I’m just nervously excited. I have known her for so long, and I know that I will never want to do this with anybody else, so no, I’m freaking out.
One incident from your wedding planning days you will always remember…
Anahita: Since I’m a chef, I have been very picky with the catering. I wanted it to be awesome! I have tortured my caterer. But he knew what he was taking up, and he’s a friend, so it worked out.
Arush: It doesn’t have anything do with planning the wedding, but planning our house. Anahita was managing everything and the only job she gave me was to pick a bed. I went to every store, every market in the city but couldn’t finalise a bed. When I told her this, she went crazy. So, I took her out for lunch one day and then tricked her into going with me to the furniture market. We went into a store, and within five minutes, she was done selecting all the furniture. I think it’s going to be like this even after the wedding, where I keep delaying stuff until Anahita takes it upon herself to complete it.
What are you looking forward to the most after your wedding?
Anahita: For me, it has to be living together. We’ve dated for a long time, but actually living with him is what I’m most excited about. It’s going to be hard – dating a guy and getting married to him are two very different things, but I think it’ll be exciting. We’ll be on our own, we have our own place, and we’ve already started setting it up. I’m excited to set up a home with Arush and see what the next chapter holds. Also, when you’re dating, it’s just you and your guy, but when you get married it’s about two families, two cultures. And for both of us, it’s a mix of cultures, so I think it’s going to be about getting both the families together and making it great!
Arush: I am looking forward to running a house with Anahita. I have never lived away from home – I was born in Delhi, studied in Delhi and worked in Delhi. Anahita has opened this door for me and I’m really excited about it. I’m also quite excited about starting this new chapter in my life.
We are in love with these two, and we’re sure you are too! Our warmest wishes and heartiest congratulations to them for their awesome #PunjuBawi wedding!
