Teri Meri Prem Kahaani- The Proposal

December 6th – I was talking to my neighbour and best friend sitting on the steps outside the house when he called up. And said “what time do we meet tomorrow? Shall I come at 10?” I said yes and he said” OK, I have something important to tell you tomorrow.See you then” and he cut the call.I was surprised.He never needed any time and permission to come home-so why the question? And what was so important-was he thinking of backing off from CAT?Did something happen at home? Was there something happening in the friends’ circle that I was unaware of? My friend just pooh-poohed the whole thing and predicted that he would propose to me. And I just laughed out loud – what was so special in tomorrow that he would (and I was not even sure that there was something like that) ? And why now when we were studying so seriously for the exams? That would only just distract us both from the goal…

December 7th (tuesday) – He came home at 10.30 after dropping his mom off at school and meeting a friend (she was a school teacher).And we began studing. I could sense that he was not concentrating enough. I asked him a couple of times, got irritated with his response “I’ll tell you in a bit” and then just to keep myself from screaming at the suspense, put more effort in solving the mock exam paper. We had lunch at 1.30 and then he kept asking for glasses of water-I still remember he had about 7 glasses of water. As per routine he was supposed to pick up his mom from school at 4pm.

After lunch, I insisted that I had enough of studies and pestered him to tell me what was that ‘important’ thing that he wanted to tell me. I kept asking about everyone in the group, family, future (we were all in that empty space of what next after degree) and he kept saying no to everything. Then finally at 3.30pm he stood from where he was sitting,began pacing the room and said* “Look, this has been on my mind for a long time now and I really dont know yet, why Im telling this to you today, but I’ve given it a lot of thought-for nearly an year now and I dont want to beat round the bush anymore…” And I asked him “Oh! You want to tell me that you are in love with u or V? All this prelude for that-Bah! I had already told you…” “Will you just listen to me, Dumbo, its you!” Im literally seeing stars by now “Whaat?”

” I love YOU”

“What are you joking?”

“Why should I be joking, its you I love not anyone else” By this time my hands were shivering and I didnt know how to react and things became hazy for a few mins. And I asked him again “Are you sure?!” “Ofcourse,Im sure. I told you, I’ve given it a lot of thought since our second year degree trip.And I want an answer from you”.

“Second year trip? That was more than an year back! you got so much time to think all this. How can I give you an answer in less than 5 mins”

 “Look, I need to leave now to pick up Amma and I want an answer. I cant go from here without knowing what your answer is. If you think that this will not work out tell me right now and I will never ask you again”

“You cant insist on an answer like this! I dont know!”

 “Think now, and tell me in the next 4 mins. you know, I have to leave by 3.45 otherwise I will be late”

By this time, there were a million thoughts in my head-parents acceptance, we were still studying-no way I could tell my parents at that time, what if either set doesnt accept and then the biggest question of all-was this really serious? We were still 19 and in college but I was always serious about being committed to one person all my life and I couldnt take a break-up… That too, after what had happened to my friend…

At the same time, I knew there was something special I shared with him. He was definitely one person that I could share all my secrets with and could think of sharing the rest of my life with. He was one person who could let me dream but also keep me grounded to reality… He had become my “best friend” and who better than a best friend as a life partner? I knew he cared for me a lot and that a person who loves and respects his mother so much, would give me the same kind of love and respect to his wife.I knew, if I said ‘No’ this friendship we shared would also be lost and I was not ready for that.

So, I answered “I really dont know yet. I think I love you too but Im not sure. For me, this is for keeps, I dont want a boyfriend today and marry someone else tomorrow. Please dont play with me. If you are really serious then this is for the rest of our lives. I dont know how parents will react, what will happen now, and I want atleast 6 months time to to really understand if this will work. I will never come out with you alone anywhere(What rubbish it was!), and please dont tell this to anyone right now.”

“Parents reaction-I can assure you my parents will agree, we will ofcourse not tell anyone right now. But that much I can promise that this is for life-long for me too… Our relationship has not even begun and you are already thinking of quitting? I have given it enough thought and Im going to convince you in the 6 months that this is for keeps…Thank You!” He gave me the hugest# smile I ever saw on his face and rushed out to pick up his mom…

*I have tried to recollect and put verbatim here, but its been a dozen years now…

 #SnS please pardon the language-but I dont know how else to describe that smile…

Next Episode: First Date and the days after…