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'It was love at first sight.'
Boman Irani and Zenobia -- his wife of 35 years -- have a unique love story, and the actor recently shared it on the blog, Humans Of Bombay.
Here it is, in Boman's words:
It was love at first sight when Zenobia walked into my Wafer Shop. She made my day with just minutes of conversation.
Soon, she began visiting everyday and I knew she liked me too -- I mean, who needs so many wafers?
Across-the-counter chats turned into calls -- we'd talk about everything.
But during her BSs exams, her dad said, 'If you don't mind, please don't call for a month, she's getting distracted!'
It was tough, but it cemented my feelings.
Finally, after her exams, we went on our first date.
But before we even got the menus, I blurted, 'I think we should get married!'
Kids these days will think I was bonkers, but I didn't need to 'figure it out'.
I knew she was the one.
You know what she said next?
'Ya, of course. Oh, wait! I forgot my umbrella.'
I'd just proposed and that's what she said!
She thought it was raining when it was just the sound of a sizzler plate!
That night, I knew two things: I was going to marry her and I wouldn't need a TV -- we had all the entertainment we needed.
Guess I was right -- we still joke about that night!
On our first anniversary, she 'surprised' me with a camera -- except she used the tips I'd earned at the Taj to buy it!
Before we knew it, we had two kids -- we were eager beavers!
But the best part about marriage was that I didn't have to deal with her 9 pm curfew or her dad waiting like a tiger on the porch.
But honestly, for every laugh I get out of her, she's been my anchor through it all.
She took over the Wafer Shop, took care of the family and pushed me to follow my dream of becoming an actor.
I'm in the spotlight now, but she's my moral compass.
Once, when I'd quoted a fee for a show, my manager realised their budget was larger.
When I asked Zenobia about charging a higher fee, she said, 'No -- you were happy with the 1st price so don't get greedy!'
So I say, she may be bad for business, but she's good for the soul.
Two kids and two grandkids later, the humour is going strong.
We still play 20 questions every time we travel, a game we played on our honeymoon -- but I never let her win!
It's been 35 years of laughing together and that's the key -- seeing her smile is everything... even if it's because she knows I've got my next joke lined up for her!
