The first time I remember seeing Geeta was back in Grade 6. She was always running around, full of energy—and believe me, even now, when I see her dancing or playing with dogs, that same energy is still there.

During school, we met from time to time, but I was not very approachable. I was shy, so usually, she talked, and I just answered—that was it. One day in college, I realized she had moved to Dehradun for her studies. But back then, we were just kids. I heard the news from one ear, and it left through the other.

The best part about Geeta was that whenever she came back to her village (Panther), she always visited our school to see everyone in class. Sometimes, she even came to my village (Kaptiyal Gaon). And I knew exactly why—she loved gooseberries!

If you can guess where this is going, great. If not, well, that’s where the story continues. Our village was full of gooseberry trees, so I used to take her and a few friends to pick them. What did we talk about? Not much. Because on my side, I wasn’t the best at conversations—I was too scared to talk.

As time passed, things changed. I completed my 12th grade, and through common friends, I always heard about Geeta. Life was getting busy—I had decided to go to college and pursue computer science engineering.

Have you ever seen disaster? No, I’m not talking about your partner’s face in the morning—I mean a real disaster. A serious one.

It was 2013, and I was in college when we had massive floods in our state in India. Amidst all the chaos, I received a message from Geeta. At first, I ignored it. Why would she message me?

That evening, as I looked outside to see the situation, I realized how lucky I was to be safe. Later, I finally checked her message and replied. And that’s how we started talking—or rather, how I finally started talking to her.

Over time, we kept in touch, sharing our thoughts, experiences, and learnings. Slowly, we became more than just acquaintances—we became real friends.

As I got to know more about her, I realized just how talented she truly was. She came from a place where girls had to struggle for opportunities, yet she managed to handle all the village work while excelling in her studies. She was incredibly smart.

Meanwhile, I had just moved to a bigger city and was still adjusting to my new surroundings. But the more I got to know her, the more curious I became. I was deeply impressed.

I remember how you taught me to try foods I had never eaten before, how you introduced me to places I had only heard about. I learned so much from you.

I am truly grateful to have you as a friend and life partner.

Geeta always asks me, ‘When did you fall in love?’

I never have a definite answer. It wasn’t just one day, one month, or even a year. It was constant.

It was the first time I saw you running in school—that image is still fresh in my mind. Or maybe it was when we went gooseberry picking together. Maybe it was just listening to your talk, learning from you, or the moment I finally opened up and shared my thoughts with you.

I don’t have an exact date. But what I do have is a collection of memories, each one forming a picture in my mind. And the more I know you, the deeper I fall.

She always asks me another question, 'Why me?' And I want to answer her through–

"Tere jaisa mila hi nahi,

Kaise milta kahin pe tha hi nahi,

Tu jahan tak dikhti hai,

Usse aage main dekhta hi nahi."

Translates to:

“I have not found anyone like you,

How would I find anyone where there is none like you,

You are the only thing I see,

I cannot see anything beyond you.”

I am so proud that I would soon be your husband! (Oh Yes!)

I first saw him on the very first day of middle school. It was one of those awkward yet exciting moments when everyone was trying to figure out who everyone else was. I clearly remember Gulshan's soft voice introducing himself: "I am Gulshan Singh Rawat, and my father's name is Arjun Singh Rawat." It was just an introduction, but something in the way he spoke caught my attention.

I found myself intrigued. He wasn't loud or boastful, but he had a calm confidence. As the first year passed, I realized he was a serious student—always focused and responsible. He wasn't easily distracted by the usual middle school chaos. By the second year, I had worked up the courage to approach him just as a friend, but I didn't realize there was already a long line of girls vying for his attention. I remember one Valentine's Day in eighth grade when a girl gave him a Valentine's Day card and a gift, only for him to politely reject it. The whole school buzzed about it, talking about how Gulshan wasn't interested in anyone, which made him seem even more mysterious.

Over the next couple of years, I got to know him a little better. Our connection grew stronger, though I still admired him from a distance, quietly appreciating his dedication to his studies and his calm demeanor. Then came the time when I had to leave for a different city to continue my education. Saying goodbye was hard, but I promised to visit during summer breaks and kept in touch through our mutual friends.

As the years passed, I found myself getting more and more absorbed in my studies—and in my one-sided love for MS Dhoni (Yes, the famous cricket player). Oh, Dhoni! He broke my heart without even knowing it. When high school graduation came, I decided I was done with all the boys (Yup, I was done alright because MS Dhoni got married, LOL).

One day, a disaster struck my state while I was back in my hometown. Floods, landslides, and cloudbursts were all over the news, and we were all worried about safety and well being of our families and friends. My mom came to me and said, "Your high school friends are at that college, and I heard it got flooded. You should check on them." I replied, "Maa, I don't have their contact numbers. How am I supposed to reach them?" She said, "I don't know, but you figure it out." So, there I was, with no way to reach them. Then, I realized of a brilliant invention, Mark Zuckerberg's creation came to my rescue—Facebook. Three of my middle school friends were there, so I decided to message Gulshan and Subham. To my surprise, Gulshan responded the same day. I was relieved to know they were safe.

But Facebook, being Facebook, had other plans. Our conversation picked up again, and things took a turn when I mentioned that I was studying CS. Gulshan, it turned out, was pursuing Computer Sciences. He thought I was studying computer sciences, which I found amusing since I was actually pursuing studies to become a Company Secretary. He showed interest in what I was doing, and I couldn't help but laugh at the mix-up. We started chatting regularly, though his responses were always "AND..." It became a running joke. I always had to continue his never-ending "ANDs." It felt like our own little secret language.

We messaged each other for six months but never once spoke over the phone. It wasn't until we were nearing the end of our post-secondary programs that Gulshan finally got the courage to say, "We should exchange phone numbers." So, we did. Our first call was on January 1, 2014 (Don’t ask about the date – accountant brain remembers stuff like this). It was my initiation. I called him and wished him "Hello, Happy New Year!" in Hindi, and he responded in Garhwali (our dialect). My brain was so confused at first as we always chatted in Hindi; I didn't know what to say. I quickly said, "I'll call you in a minute," and hung up.

After a brief moment of gathering myself, I called him back. We talked a little, but he soon mentioned he had a final exam that day. Typical Gulshan—always focused. A few months later, we met in person along with our group of friends. I'll never forget seeing him again. He wore khaki pants, sports shoes, a tucked-in shirt, and a formal sweater, with the shy smile I had always remembered. He looked the same, but something about him had changed. We had all grown up and so had our friendship.

Our reunion was a blast. We spent time catching up, laughing, and sharing stories. It felt like we were back in middle school again, even though we had all changed in our own ways. But the bond we shared was still there, stronger than ever. As I look back on all those years, I realize that the journey from middle school to now has been something special. It feels like time has stood still in a way, and we're still in the same year—still in that same place where it all started. Today's connection is built on those small moments, those countless conversations, and the way fate brought us together again. Honestly, I don't think it will ever end.

In 2017 I lost my mom, and I moved to Canada to be with my sister Deepika. Distance drew us apart again, but our love continued to grow quietly. Two years later, Gulshan decided to follow me to Canada.

Many years later Gulshan finally proposed me in Bali. It wasn’t flashy or extravagant—just a simple, intimate moment that marked the conclusion of years of memories and an unspoken connection.

I love you and I can’t wait to spend rest of my life with you! (Oh no!)