Jab We Met: 'I found my first love in 45 years'

We had invited you, our readers to share your love story this Valentine's Day.

Murali Subramaniam wrote this love story for his beloved Shruthi Thiagarajan.

Here is my story on Jab We Met, so amazing and romantic.

It all started very late in my life. I met this woman when I was well past my marriageable age, at the age of 44.

I was working for an MNC as a senior professional. I am tall, leanly built, spectacled guy and grey hair. I could never fall in love when I was in college as well as I was busy enjoying my bachelorhood.

It could be due to my personality or due to my strict upbringing that I never got the courage to propose to a girl. Life went on and I remained a single for very long time.

Due to family circumstances, my parents never forced me to get married.

I felt very lonely and wanted to have a lover for myself very badly.

Then came this woman. Yes, a woman, 37 years old, short and normal built but attractive. She had small eyes (Siamese), a round face, short hair, bubbly and well mannered.

She lived in our neighbourhood and we crossed each other several times in the staircase and building lift.

But never once did we have an eye-to-eye contact with each other. But somehow, I had a crush on her for her simplicity, good manner, sweet talking, plain beauty and belief in God.

She used to visit the nearby Hindu temple almost daily and I used to watch her.

The yearning for her increased day by day and I wanted to propose my love for her urgently.

I knew I could not keep my feelings hidden for long and that I must give it a try – do or die.

Finally on April 14, 2009, I sent her my feelings through a 'book marker' along with the English novel which she had given to me to read.

As neighbours, we used to share books but as good friends only. I wanted our friendship to take a step further.

The book-marker might have resulted either in happiness or anger -- however, she came back after a short while for something else and I found her smiling.

I was not sure but I could assure that she was not angry and she took my proposal positively.

However, her smile and happy face was not a sign of acceptance, that much I was sure. I did not want to be in a hurry to hear from her.

She being from a conservative and orthodox family, I knew it would take a while for her to return the reply.

Finally she sent me an SMS in May 2009 enquiring about my health.

The communication picked up and we started messaging each other quite regularly. The messages covered every subject on the earth -- food, interests, hobbies, work, books, etc...everything except for the romance.

However, she was nice and lovely in her messages.

Then came the day when she asked me to create an e-mail account for her and I did it promptly.

Our correspondence started via emails and it became a bit bolder and lovely. She started writing nice things and became bolder in expressing her love for me.

But she was careful in saying those three lovely words for which I was waiting so eagerly. She was very careful not to say those three words in any way.

I pushed her indirectly and made her accept that she loved me and that she should come out openly. Somehow she kept herself in check.

My wait was getting longer day by day and it was frustrating.

It was not easy but somehow I did not want to do something that would spoil the whole show and end the effort.

Illustration by Dominic Xavier

Jab We Met stories!

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Dear readers, do you have an interesting love story that you want to share? Tell us where you first met your partner and how the two of you fell in love. Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Jab We Met'). You can also include a photograph of you and your partner and we'll publish the best entries right here on rediff.com

Finally she said she would say those three words on October 26, 2009.

I was so happy and excited and kept my eyes on the hand-phone's screen.

I knew it would be through an SMS only, and finally it arrived at 9.54am.

I was in heavens, so happy and excited, cannot describe it even today.

It was my first love in 45 years -- a really long and awful wait but a successful one.

I may be one of those few guys who had to wait very long for something good to happen but when it happened, it was very sweet.

Our love did not end in marriage due to many constraints on both sides but we are happy with our present condition.

We meet regularly at various places, send over 100 messages to each other every day, exchange e-mails almost every day and are happy.

Marriage seems to be evading us in this life but if God permits, I would surely marry her in the next life and will have a terrific life.

I am very possessive about her, her dresses, her day-to-day activities, in everything.

I would like to give her my best wishes on this Valentine's Day.

I love her very truly.

Jab We Met stories!

Follow this link for our Valentine's Day coverage

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Dear readers, do you have an interesting love story that you want to share? Tell us where you first met your partner and how the two of you fell in love. Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Jab We Met'). You can also include a photograph of you and your partner and we'll publish the best entries right here on rediff.com

Sameer Nagapurkar who got nostalgic sent us this story from his salad days:

Today I was reading the stories of Jab We Met and had a sudden nostalgia that took me back to 2006.

In January 2006, my joy knew no bounds as I got selected for the prestigious MBA institute in Pune.

I got into preparation mode to join the college in June 2006.  

All of us who got selected formed a group on Yahoo so that we could stay in touch with each other.

Then one day I received an email from her in which she had written to all group members that she was selected for Hyderabad campus. She wanted to move to Pune campus and was looking for replacement.

I saw her picture on Orkut (there was no Facebook that time), and I replied to her that I will help her.

We exchanged 2-3 mails and thereafter there was no response.

We were having a TechFest at our institute and obviously students from Hyderabad were also coming for this event.

Before that as I was in a particular committee I had decided to contact her to join my team. It didn't work out due to long distance.

When she came to Pune, we got introduced to each other.

February 2006: We had already exchanged our numbers and chat ID's.

Then came the most beautiful days of my life -- after spending the entire day in college and related activities, we'd chat at night (as we stayed in a hostel and internet was free).

We'd earlier chat for half an hour then gradually it became 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 hrs and after that whole night we used to chat.

This went on for three months but still we hadn't spoken over the phone.

One day there was a blast in Hyderabad and that's when I called her for the first time.

We spoke exactly for 39 seconds and enquired about the well being of each other.

Then slowly our conversations over phone and SMSes increased and we came close to each other.

There were lot of instances of me going to the railway station at 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning just to meet her. (We'd meet when she travelled to Mumbai from Hyderabad and train stopped at Pune for just 5 minutes).  

We cherished that little meeting/ date with each other many times.

Then one day as she was in placement committee, she came to visit our campus.

That was our first official date.

We roamed and talked for a full day.

That night she was going to Mumbai but somehow I managed to convince her to stay back. I requested one of my friend's fiance to accommodate her in her room.

At 11 pm, she requested me to bring ice cream. I had to walk for 45 minutes to get her the desired ice cream.

She went home the next day.

I still remember October 17, 2007. I proposed her over phone, and she said No!

Later, she sent me an e-mail explaining why she refused. But I asked her to think it over. She said she wanted some time.

Our relationship continued. She was so lovely and adorable, caring, charming, and understanding that I fell deeply in love with her.

Placement days: Then came the D-day. She got placed in an MNC in Bangalore.

Since our placement interviews happened 4-5 days later, I was hoping to get selected at Bangalore too. On the first day of placement I got placed in Bangalore.

We were too happy that finally both of us will be in same city.

As we reached Bangalore, stars changed and she started avoiding me. 

We had a quarrel on February 14, 2008 and that's the last time we spoke to each other.

I am married now and we are living happily with our daughter. But some corner of my heart still beats for her.

Jab We Met stories!

Follow this link for our Valentine's Day coverage

Want to send a gift? Choose your gift on Rediff Shopping!

Dear readers, do you have an interesting love story that you want to share? Tell us where you first met your partner and how the two of you fell in love. Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Jab We Met'). You can also include a photograph of you and your partner and we'll publish the best entries right here on rediff.com

Nirali Hathi sent us this cute poem she wrote for her husband Bhavik. The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary on February 3.

He sat on a chair far away,
As I walked in to meet him the very first day.
Chequered shirt, beige pants,
Very simple and sober, as I could understand

Funny I felt as we talked a while,
For it was the first time I was on the other side.
As questions poured in from his side,
Oh! My mystery is unfolding, I cried.
Wait a while, you know not him,
He's a stranger, don't reveal all, warned my soul within!

We bid adieu as courteous strangers,
Not knowing the Almighty's plan for each other.

We were meant to be, God had destined the link,
After all he got us together in just a blink.

"Can we meet?" he called to ask,
"Why not?" I quipped; it was another chance to know the man behind the mask.
Yes or no, I deliberated as the day came closer,
"Shut up, you fool," said friends and folks, "Give it a try, for the outcome could be better".

It was a coffee date that night,
Cappuccino and strawberry shake accompanied two strangers, who were in a quest for their Mr. and Mrs. Right!
I blabbered, and he thought deep inside,
Leaving cupid to wonder if it could strike the two tonight!

He dropped me home as it turned 11 that night,
Promising to meet up again for a bite.

There we were together again on a dimly lit night,
Discussing traffic, food and daily life.

"Let him talk this time," friends warned beforehand,
For this was the chance to see if I was falling into the right hands!
But he continued to keep his usual mum,
His questions, however, were quite a concession.

Relationships, I had heard, were about caring and sharing
But here I could see no sharing, leaving no hope for any caring!
And there he struck me by surprise,
His gentlemanliness, I admit, was quite a delight!

So there it was, one good and one bad,
Leaving me confused if he was my lad!

And then we met yet again,
To watch a play as we had planned.
I watched the play, as we sat beside,
And he stared at me, not once, not twice, but all the while!
He begs to differ, but I am sure,
He was beginning to fall in love!

It poured heavily, as we stepped outside,
Looking for food were our stomachs inside.
"Bhurji pav," he smart guy tried to bribe,
For he knew it was my weak side.

So there it was, two good's and one bad,
"Time for decision," said Dad!
A tough call it was, for it was my life,
Giving up freedom is always the chooser's plight!
"Yes," I told Dad, for I did not know,
The smart guy was still evading his parents, while I was in a soup at home!

Lunch with his friends was next on the cards,
For they would decide, if I would fail or pass.

Unaware of his plan, we met again,
On an unusual day, smiling and smirking yet again!
As India celebrated freedom, we wished each other a 'Happy Independence Day!'
For it was the last one when we could have our own way!

"She's the one," he told to himself,
But kept it all under wraps!
Coffee time he chose to bare it all,
For he had some special plans in store!

He looked into my eye, while the car braked to 0 from 65,
It was now or never, his heart cried.
"Would you be mine?" asked the shy guy,
"Yes, I will," was my quick reply.

It was the day, when hearts when two hearts were put through a test,
It was the day, jab Bhavik and Nirali met!

Jab We Met stories!

Follow this link for our Valentine's Day coverage

Want to send a gift? Choose your gift on Rediff Shopping!

Dear readers, do you have an interesting love story that you want to share? Tell us where you first met your partner and how the two of you fell in love. Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Jab We Met'). You can also include a photograph of you and your partner and we'll publish the best entries right here on rediff.com

We also heard from this reader who explained how his love story is different from the others he has read in the series so far:

My story is a little different than most of the stories I read here.

After finishing high school in Delhi (in 1999), I had the opportunity to pursue my undergrad in the US.

Moving to New England from New Delhi provided me with ample amount of culture shock.

During my freshman year, I wasn't sure how to socially interact with people, especially considering that there were only four students of foreign origin in the programme out of 150, which included me, two students from China and one from Kenya.

So my freshman year wasn't close to being memorable and I was lonely and homesick most of the time.

Slowly but surely, I got well acquainted into the American culture and made friends and during my sophomore year, I got introduced to Jennifer.

We hit it off immediately and I hate to sound cliched, but I think I fell in love with her the moment I saw her.

So we dated for a couple of years till we finished school.

This is where we faced our first problem.

I wanted to succeed in getting into a really good programme to pursue my doctoral degree and Jenny wasn't keen on staying in Boston.

She hated the weather and wanted to move back to California (where she was originally from).

This proved to be a tipping point and we decided to break up amicably. I stayed in Boston and she moved to LA to pursue her Masters degree.

Time passed and it was 3 years since we broke up. Yet we did keep in touch, although infrequently.

Then in 2007, we happened to meet up in a conference and we went for lunch to catch up.

At this point, we both agreed that even though it has been a while, but we were still in love with each other.

We decided to give it another try and we knew we had a lot of differences to overcome.

Over time, she warmed to the idea of moving to Boston as I found a really lucrative job and she managed to find one as well.

At this point, we decided to get married. And this is where our story is different from others. We did not face any trouble from our respective families.

Her parents were Irish and were culturally very open. Although my parents were a little surprised, they showed unconditional support and love.

We got married in 2008, have a beautiful baby boy and we couldn't be happier!

We've known each other for about 11 years now and we still love each other the same way we did when we were younger.

That's my story and I wish everyone the best in their personal endeavours!

Jab We Met stories!

Follow this link for our Valentine's Day coverage

Want to send a gift? Choose your gift on Rediff Shopping!

Dear readers, do you have an interesting love story that you want to share? Tell us where you first met your partner and how the two of you fell in love. Write in to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Jab We Met'). You can also include a photograph of you and your partner and we'll publish the best entries right here on rediff.com