“Love is Blind….Eyes Don’t See, Only A Heart Can Feel”

Perhaps every one of our generation has seen the amorous song of 50s “pyaar hua ikraar hua, pyaar se phir kyun darta hain dil” in which the ravishing Nargis and romantic Raj Kapoor explicitly evince their deep love under one umbrella and the sizzling rain sliding down , trying every moment to kiss the couple……..how romantic and idealistic. But it happens not only in films, but in real life too…..may be a coincidence or the “SECRET” attraction (Thanks to the famous author Rhonda Bryne) of somebody proposing his love to the lady love so adoringly and profusely.

This story is about a couple….completely different from each other (I stress on this that they were different from each other when they met , since now things have really changed…..The man dances to the tune of the woman….quite expectedly hah). The girl, who dreamt of nothing but a loving life partner, meets a guy who was (then) equally unromantic and too realistic and pragmatic about life (the serious and boring types). But when they expressed their love to each other…..Oooh, it was the same one umbrella and romantic enticing drizzle in the valleys of Khandala, the trembling girl and the usually quixotic boy…..and what ensued was the same as was witnessed in Bollywood movies of those times😊. Yes this a real life story of a couple who are deeply close to me. Of course with highs and lows of life (specially of a love life), these had a Bollywood start of love life , a shy and very innocent slow and steady beginning. Their love story has made such an imprint on my mind that I just chose to pen down their romantic memories. So here it follows……

The girl, my dearest friend and confidant, came from an Army background. She had always seen her dad serving on the borders and terrorist affected areas leaving his family behind , to be taken care by one of the strongest woman I have ever known , her Maa. Her Maa, though quite talented and educated in those times, had no option than to sacrifice her dream of having a good career so that she could bring up the kids. The constant transfers, her mother’s struggle and sacrifice of her dreams, her father’s hardships and perilous life, her young sisters (she had two of them) constant urge of companionship of their father and so on and so forth made a deep impression on her mind. She had decided NEVER TO MARRY A GUY WHO WOULD BE IN THE ARMED FORCES. Yes that’s true. With all the due respect she had for the brave soldiers , who have always sacrificed their youth and families for the nation, she – now – dreamt of having a life partner who would have a stable life , who would be like minded, love her, understand her, be besides her always holding her hand– in her sorrows and joys, who would listen to her corporate stories , after a long tiring day at work. Yes naturally she wanted to be independent, though not a highly ambitious woman, but independent enough to be able to pursue her small little dreams she had built in her castles of childhood. Unfortunately (or may be fortunately) her sisters had also vowed never to marry an Armed Forces (or Defense Services – would be the correct fauji parlance) guy. She had always dreamt of working together with her husband in the same office, having lunch together, coming back home together, a cup of ginger tea and music ….…That was she and her tiny little dream world.

One fine day, during her final year of engineering, she got a call from a college in the Defense Services for an all India technical paper presentation. Though not very keen since she was busy pursuing her interview prospects, her roomie and close friend coaxed her in accepting the invite envisaging that a seminar may be good for her CV. It was midnight when they landed at the station to be received by a man (or a boy – she was confused) who quite firmly introduced himself to be an officer and said that he was waiting there for three hours to welcome them. Though he tried his best to be chivalrous and courteous (cadet training effects), his frustration was quite conspicuous. She could understand that after all , the train was around 2.5 hours late and the poor guy was standing all throughout . When they sat inside the mini truck, she could see that his trousers and shoes weren’t looking clean enough as expected from a serving Naval Officer. Embarrassed as he noticed her watching him intensely (after all she came from an Army background and he didn’t know that), the guy admitted that he had fallen down in the open sewage as it was too dark and somehow , managed to clean himself at the station . He also revealed that since he has been in this place for last four years now, he had crossed this railway station sewer , myriad number of times and could blindly cross it. But that night he had to fall, cursing the one for whom he was sent forcibly to welcome (Ironically his leave was cancelled too). So this was how they met…!!! Whilst the boy (an Officer) wondered how this seminar and this set of participants ruined his leave, clothes and the whole night.

The duration of the seminar was around 5 days and so many students from all over the country stayed together in one of the buildings and interacted with various other young officers. She noticed that this particular officer , she considered to be a kid (maybe he looked like a kid or behaved like one – didn’t matter, she was confused) was indifferent towards everybody except the basic courteousness he had to offer (by force?? May be not). But yes, he did interact with her quite often like explaining the routine for the day (how boring) , meal routine, Do’s and Don’t’s of this place and routine for the next five days (Oh God)….nothing else to talk to. The only one time he spoke other than his favorite topic (routine and plans) was when he tried to explain to her that Armed Forces parties are great and she should attend one to see how lively and vibrant a party can be only to be apprised by her that she had seen enough such parties all her life. In those five days, she observed him running often and in the off working hours he chose to be with his beloved friend – Old Monk. Just before she left (of course the seminar was successfully concluded and she could clearly notice , this guy enjoying his slumber in the auditorium during her presentation – he till date doesn’t know , her presentation topic), she had an occasional chat with him. He said he had two friends in his life – Old Monk and his uniform and his ambition was to join the sniper force (the special forces) who volunteer to enter the enemy land and kill the terrorists. His only hobby was running, swimming, working out and crazy physical stuff which was not her forte at all. She found reading, music and spending time with family more interesting than all this . She dreamt of a happy family life with kids and he was strongly averse to all the household stuff. She didn’t prefer men who had more tolerance for alcohol than people😊 That’s it. There was no way that she could even develop an affection for him (or had she already developed – didn’t matter anyways, it would never work out, as he was very different than her . She was confused)

During the departure ceremony, many exchanged their mobile numbers to remain in touch. This guy, however, was nowhere to be seen. He seemed to be an introvert and not too friendly. She couldn’t get off this young lad from her mind. She reminisced that after all he was very polite and seemed to be helpful. Most important she felt he was not one of those guys who ran after women aimlessly (specially when you get to see a woman after four years of training and as few out there , rightly proved their desperation). She had to call him one day regarding the seminar certificate and they both seemed to be quite happy talking to each other. She ONLY OUT OF COURTESY (that’s what she claims😊)offered him to visit her home in case he crossed that side of the town. Lo and Behold , one sunny afternoon when her complete family was enjoying an afternoon nap , this guy rung the bell .She didn’t expect him to actually visit like this. She was doubly surprised when she saw him trying to comb his hair using the tinted windows (actually he had hair like a porcupine which remained like that always , so there was nothing that could make them look better!!) That day they exchanged their numbers and courtesy chatting began. But she was very very certain that it was JUST FRIENDSHIP, nothing more. And moreover he was so different . But why on earth was she so restless, after all he was just a new friend. She was so used to making new friends in every new school she went. Or was it a little more than that (she was confused).

One fine day the guy messaged her that he was getting transferred to another city and perhaps they could meet for a cup of coffee (those days meeting for coffee didn’t mean what it means today with the so called cool generation😊). She used to love watching movies. Finally, good movies have the potential to simulate a dream world. Now they had met twice before and she didn’t feel at all that this guy was attracted towards her. But the important part was they both felt quite comfortable with each other. To cut the long story short , they liked spending time with each other.She asked him if he liked watching movies and if he would be interested to watch a romantic movie called “Hum Tum” . As expected , the boy said he was not interested in movies and if she was so interested then they could go for Nana Pathekar’s “Ab tak Chappan”……Oh God, it was extremely frustrating for her.She pondered upon that how could a guy take a girl out for such a movie and that too the first one . But as women always have their way, they both finally went for “Hum Tum”. The reluctant boy sat besides her and with a popcorn packet in hand , almost slept through the movie. But the least she expected that he exhibited some excitement or romantic look in his eyes or hold her hand (too much she was asking for, wasn’t she?) when Rani Mukherjee and Saif Ali dazzled the crowd in the song “sason ko sason mein dhalne do zara”… Now she was very sure that the guy had no interest in anything except his crazy adventures and it was nothing more than friendship. But why on earth she even expecting something like this. Or was she confused? Didn’t matter, as long as the time they spent together was lovely (she thought)..!!

The guy got transferred. They remained in touch through messages (those days whatsapp was not there, neither facebook and insta…Thank God). They both used to ONLY MESSAGE each other, however, every single day. The frequency of messages increased gradually. They started sharing about their life. The girl felt very comfortable sharing everything. This continued for almost two years. Only messages. One day they both decided to talk to each other . He went to a nearby STD booth and called her. After a minute of silence and giggles, finally they managed to ask each other how they were doing (generally). There was nothing much to ask since the frequency of messages had increased so much by then that whole day of their conversations through messages could last at least two hours of a call . Now they seemed to be making fun of each other, pulling each other’s leg and so on and so forth (messages only😊).

One fine day the guy informed that he would be coming on a temporary duty to her place, primarily to run a race. And it was obvious that they would meet. They had to meet. The level of comfort and friendship had galloped in these ensuing two and a half years . The girl decided to wait for him at the railway station as he had promised that he would finish the race and meet her by 0700 (He was a time machine ….very boring). This girl waited till 0900 until a friend of his came to the station to pick her up saying that there was some problem in the race and he had a sort of blackout. The girl felt so concerned but equally responsible not to trouble him since he needed rest. But he was going back the next day. They had to meet. When she reached his accommodation, he was in a very bad state. He was almost unable to get up. But the desire to spend time together was so strong that he mustered all his strength and went outside for a coffee with her. Alas, he vomited the whole thing out in front of her. It was pretty disgusting, but not for the girl who by now had realized that she had developed an affection for him. But she was unsure of the boy , knowing that he had different ideas and plans in his life. As rightly said “ If you ever loved someone, set them free”. The time had come to bid him good bye not knowing whether they would meet again or not. Realizing that they have few more hours left , before the girl would head back home, they both made up their minds to go out to Khandala where the weather that day was great. It was the monsoon season and anyone who has been to Khandala or Lonavla during monsoon would understand what I am talking out. Streams of water flowing musically and the clouds amidst the deep fog and it was serene everywhere.

Lo and behold, it started drizzling. Guess what, the girl was carrying an umbrella (maybe she expected rains ) and the same scene replayed there. The girl under the umbrella offered it to the boy. He took it unwittingly only to realize that now the girl started getting wet. He offered it back to the girl and now started getting wet himself. As fate would have it, they came under one umbrella and except the background music (of Shree 420 movie), the scene went nearly as scripted by Khwaja Abbass (or this time may be fate had planned the screenplay😊)

This was their beginning. Of course with ups and downs of every married life, they continued with their life, happily. But these moments in their courtship days still makes them smile. Thus I conclude as it was rightly said by Mrs Potts in “Beauty and the Beast” – “When the moment is right, Confess Your Love”….Happy Beginning!!!!