A Love Story

June 2002 - I was going to attend my first lecture on my new college. BMS was a fresh course then, and I was glad to pass the entrance exam and get a seat... As there were only 60 students in one batch and as often groups had to be formed for different presentations/projects, I soon got to know all my batchmates. I am not writing further on the batch mates.. As the title suggest, this is a love story, so I better introduce the leading cast...

Now there was this guy in our batch who had a mustache and had a typical mallu look... The first impression that I had while seeing him was "This guy must be hard to get along"... How soon we judge people... At that time, i didn't even imagine that this idiot is going to be my best friend for life...We were formal in the beginning and our conversation was limited to "kispe project kar rahe ho?", "Group mein kaun-kaun hain" and all... oops... I didn't mention his name! Anup Mukundan :)

Few of my school friends were also in my batch. It was few days after the class started, one girl entered the class... She had missed the earlier lectures due to some reason (pardon me, it was 8 years ago!) I thought I had seen her somewhere.. It was afterwards, I remembered, she was my schoolmate.. We used to call her Ladybird as she used to come in that cycle to school ;) Kalpana Vasukuttan, who later came to be popularly known as Kallu :)

My friendship with Anup became strong during the Goa picnic, oops! Industrial visit ;)... We had a lot of fun there and there was a gang which was formed between all the guys... There were 7-8 of us and we always used to sing songs enthusiastically in the Train' on the journey from college to home.

The relationship between Anup and Kallu started on certain circumstances... Anup had an initial affair with one girl which was never going to work.. Fortunately, they understood it sooner and mutually broke off.. We were all in the same gang.. So Anup and kallu started to interact more.. I still remember, it was during one lecture.. we were sitting on the 4th bench. Anup said "Akki, I am feeling something for Kallu which I never felt before... not even with Shweta..." Somehow, a deep instinct told me that these guys are meant to be with each other.. Their relationship kicked off and many of our friends did not actually like it... They didn't show it but initially, they were apprehensive.. Anyways, they were always assholes, so I didn't care.... pardon me for the language.. Bud I seriously didn't care afterwards.. neither did anu and kallu...

3 years in college passed like bliss to me and a "get to know each other" session for "Analpana"... They fought consistently and made up consistently... Anup was known for his high temper in those days... All that helped them to know one's and each other's shortcomings and helped them to adapt and compromise....There were times when their fights went out of proportion... I used to wonder will their relationship last long.... When the fights became consistent, I assured myself, that they will be going a long way ;)

After college, me and kallu got jobs... Anup did post graduation. So that was another 2 years of college for him.. Anup always used to say that those two years for him were lonely... Although he and kallu used to meet frequently, he used to feel lonely in college... During this period, Kallu also was not well and had to be hospitalized many times... Those were one of the hardest period for both of them....

Years passed by and Anu got a job as a Media planner in one company just like he wanted... Over the years, I was amazed to see the transformation in him... He appeared to be more calm... He was more patient.... and time came for their parents to be known of their relationship... Problems were many, if you look with a typical conservative mind
1) Both were approximately of the same age
2) Both were of different caste. For society, two people must be Indians, of the same state, same religion, same caste, same sub-caste .. blaa.. blaa.. blaa..
3) Both were in love ! not at all done!
4) Anup's sister was not married till then..

Even if I write 100 pages abt their struggle to get their parent's approval, still it won't be enough...Nobody can ever be patient as Kallu has been... and Nobody can ever be persisting as Anup has been... They have gone through hell over the past few years to get matters sorted.... And between this, they have enjoyed life as well..... That's what has amazed me always.... one day anup will tell me they had a big fight and he is not going to call her... After few days, I just call him to ask what happened, he informs me that they are in Matheran and will come the next day!.. There was a period when parents of both of them were against their marriage.. Kallu and her mom were coming back from native place.. At the same train anup and his dad were also there... Throughout the journey, they met quite a few times and their parents didn't even realize!! Thats' Analpana for you ;)

This sunday, while they get engaged (i.e. officially) I will be the proudest man in the hall :)

God bless you both... will always be there for you....