We have all heard of those epic romances that started in school and went on forever. I had dreamt of one since I was a little girl. I know it sounds cheesy, but I was actually a lot like Geet from Jab We Met. Really, I’m not kidding, Bachpan se hi mujhe shaadi karne ka bohot shaunk tha.
Aalok and I were desk partners for three years (from our 4th to the 6th standard) Initially, we didn’t get along much and talked only when needed. But like they say, you never know when love strikes… I don’t know when it was but I suddenly realized that I had a huge crush on him! I understand that at the age of 11, you barely know what love is, let alone falling for someone. But with each passing day, my feelings for him just got stronger.
And now begins the difficult and probably, the most interesting part of the love story …. Before I could confess my feelings to him (who had no idea about them, obviously), we got shuffled into different sections of our class (7th grade). We talked during recess and that was it for our budding friendship. Four years had passed and we were nothing but schoolmates. But this didn’t change my feelings towards him.
When we were in the 11th grade, he sent me a message on Orkut (oh, those days!) asking me if I remembered that he was my desk partner in school. My mind mumbled, Of course I remember! I had a crush on you ever since! But I didn’t say this to him. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship and lose him as a friend.
Time passed and school got over. We were still friends and one fine day, I decided it was time for him to know about it all. Anyway, I really didn’t have anything to lose because school was over. The worst thing that could happen is that he would stop talking to me. I was willing to take that risk, but Aalok needed to know.
And guess what happened? He said that he needed some time to think about it. I willingly agreed and we gradually became best friends. I confessed to him in 2008, and it was in 2013 that he got back with an answer! Yes, it took him FIVE years to decide whether he wanted to go out with me or not! I know I should’ve taken offence to this, but I was way too much in love with him to feel bad at all!
I went on a date with him for the first time on the 13th of August, 2013 and had my dad drop me off to the venue. My family and friends were aware of my undying love for Aalok. They knew that there was no one except him that I wanted to marry. (I’m filmy like that!) So anyway, we had our first date, it went amazingly well and we never looked back.
We have been together ever since and have had our share of ups and downs. We even had a long distance relationship when Aalok went to Pune to pursue his MBA. But hell, we nailed it like a total boss! Our love has only grown over the years, our relationship only got stronger.
Aalok (my love of 17 years) and I got engaged in 2017 and are getting married in February, 2018! I was sure that he was ‘the one’ for me, and the 5 years wait was worth it.
