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Love story: 'She travelled 1700 km for me'
We invited readers to share stories of how they met their spouses and interesting anecdotes about their wedding day. Here's Satyajeet Gopal's account of how his wife Samjana and he got married despite opposition from his family
It is a simple story of dream getting realised but luck and determination played vital roles in this success. Getting married to my choice of girl was always something I wanted whenever this issue was brought up in family discussions but I had my own priorities to accomplish.
Being the eldest in my family, I had major responsibility of getting my siblings established professionally before putting my own priorities first.
In October 2004, just before Diwali, I was sent to Sikkim for a training assignment and I never knew that it would turn into a life turning trip.
Those were the days when I was quite open to marriage proposals and was looking to shortlist someone.
Even while I as travelling from New Delhi to New Jalpaiguri by Rajdhani Express, I had a two-minute appointment at Kanpur Central Railway Station to meet one of the girl and her parents (Rajdhani stops only for two minutes at Kanpur Central).
I did meet the girl but couldn't talk enough and carried on my way by saying that I would wait for her mail.
Once I landed in Sikkim, the environment was mesmerising. I liked the cool weather and beautiful landscapes.
I thought, "This might be the place where I should settle".
Soon I fell in love with the place. She was one of the new recruits at the hotel who was assigned to welcome the guests in restaurants. She had very charming personality and quickly picked up all the lessons that I delivered during my assignment out there.
My assignment came to an end soon after three months and I went back to Delhi with a thought "How about this girl only if she accepts my proposal"?
I was very clear in my thoughts and expected similar transparency from her side.
During one of my days there close to Diwali in 2004, I decided that I must find out if she would also have similar thought, I dared to ask her if she would marry someone from the hotel background.
To my surprise, her answer was yes and then I asked if that person was me!
It took almost three days to get my affirmation and I can't really explain how slow the clock moved in those 72 hours!
I proposed to her in open with fresh air, cool weather and bright sun as witness. She accepted it.
Earlier we already had shared our feelings to each other and primarily both had agreed also. Now our only challenge was to get approvals from our parents.
I was sure of convincing my parents but I couldn't say the same about hers.
She told me that I should meet one of her friends to resolve the issues. I went even to the local court with her friend to understand if an offline arrangement could work out.
It was one of those days when I had to move away back home and time was running out. I made arrangement to meet her parents and was quite happy to learn that they had no objections to her daughter's decision but were not sure as how it would happen since their traditions are way different than ours.
We had two more issues. First: They were Christians and I was Hindu. Second: She had an older sister who was unmarried.
Meanwhile, I came back to Delhi and assured them that I would return.
Religion was never an argument with me as I always believed in diversity but I had little doubt on her getting married before than her elder sister.
Life in Delhi was different. I discussed the issues with my parents.
They agreed to this union but one of my brothers had serious concerns and as a result entire process was on hold.
I got the feeling that it may not work out after all.
We used to connect daily over the phone but she already had sensed the problem brewing at my end.
I had a very tough time convincing my family members but now all had different views and I almost had no support.
On the one hand I was feeling guilty for having decided this so quickly while other I was confident that I should be able to win confidence and things would work out.
My parents went away shortly to another location and their attitude didn't seem to be in my favour. I shared this with her and she was quite depressed.
On February 12, 2005 when she made plans to travel to Delhi to meet me and sort this out I couldn't believe it.
Sikkim is almost 1700 km away from Delhi and one must have strong heart to travel to such distances and that too alone. It was my most anxious moments of my life while she travelled all alone in a below average train (she couldn't manage to get tickets for best trains due to lack of time).
I received her at New Delhi Railway Station and I was filled with joy. I relished every second I travelled with her in my car to my house. For the next three days she stayed with us very comfortably like a guest and we together discussed as how to solve this issue.
We even celebrated Valentine's Day together when I took her to a local restaurant for dinner.
All of this was very unusual. She went back alone with my assurance that I would marry her for sure.
After few days, the story was same in my house. Everyone argued and suggested otherwise but now I had made up my mind and was almost ready for all consequences.
None of my family members agreed with me. I called her back to Delhi on Mar 1, 2005.
Meanwhile, I made all arrangement myself like arranging a lawyer for the court marriage.
She reached back to Delhi on the evening of March 2 stayed overnight at a hotel and our marriage was solemnised on March 3 in an Arya Samaj Temple near ISBT with none from my family or friends or neighbours as witness.
There were two friends who signed off as witnesses when we went to register our marriage the same day from a local court in Ghaziabad.
We returned home together and since then the story has been a success.
Today, it's been a little more than five years since the day of our marriage.
We have fond memories of how it happened. Our two daughters are very happy to combine with all parents and we have all support from everyone and nobody questions or tries discussing our marriage.
It seems that everyone has realised the truth. I visit my in-laws in Sikkim at least once in a year and it is one of my favourite places I have been around. Her sister too has got married recently.
I'm very proud of my decision and we all are a very happy family.
Share your romantic experiences with us! Write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'My love story') along with a photograph of you and your spouse if possible and we'll publish the best entries right here!
Just make sure you include the following information:
Where and how you met your partner
When you shared your feelings for each other
An interesting incident from your wedding