The tea leaves went up and down following the convection current inside the vessel. The smell was relaxing and it calmed my mind. I switched off the gas and started straining this rejuvenating tea into a cup, when suddenly I noticed a bright shining light on my ring finger. It was early in the morning, when the sun’s rays were gently passing through my kitchen’s window and constantly striking my ring. The multiple reflections inside the diamond made it shine like a star on my finger.

I went back in time thinking about how things have changed! And they have changed for good!

As a little girl, I grew up dreaming of a perfect romantic relationship, just like the ones in rom-com! And the first real relationship that I saw, was my parents. They were my version of PERFECT with all the imperfections.

I am a crazy romantic person! You want to call that cheesy? I am cool with that. Thanks to Bollywood and Hollywood movies that I watched while growing up.

1^st Feb 2021, 10:30 pm. (Phone rings continuously)

After missing 3 calls, I finally answered. There was a man with a strange voice on the other side.

Stranger: “Ma’am we have a delivery at 11:30 pm, please stay up and answer my call.”

Me: “What delivery?”

Stranger: “It’s a Cake!”

Me: “Who has ordered it?”

Stranger: “Unfortunately, I don’t know. All I know is that I have to deliver this to your address at 11:30pm”

Me: “Oh god! Cool, call me at 11:30. Bye.”

(I rush to my parents bed room)

Me: “I told you, I am not interested in cutting the cake at 12 am. Why did you order a cake?”

Mom: “Ha? Well, you made it clear that you don’t want to cut the cake at 12am so we didn’t get it. And even if we wanted to surprise you, why would we order? we all stay in the same house we would have just bought it!”

Me: “Then who has ordered it?”

Dad: “Maybe one of your friends. Just go to bed for now.”

Me: “Okay, I will not go down to collect it. Dad, please collect it once the delivery guys comes. Good Night”

Parents: “Good Night!”

11:30 pm (dad comes to my room and knocks the door)

Me: “I want to sleep!!! Why are you waking me up again?”

Dad: “Rikhil is on the line, he is calling from Australia to wish you!”

Me: “Hello?”

Rikhil: “Hi, I am near your gate from past 30 minutes. Can you please open the gate? I think your dad is sleepy and he didn’t understand what I said.”

Me: “What? You are near my house? Are you kidding me?”

Rikhil: “Yes!!!, Please come outside.”

My heart started ticking like a time bomb and I rushed to my balcony to see, if what I heard was real?!

To my surprise, it was REAL! He was there, right there. Standing near my house, middle of the night with a suite case. I told my dad to open the gate and told my mom that Rikhil was here. My mom was more excited than me! Well, I was still in shock. We both ran into our rooms to dress appropriately and soon I ran down stairs.

He stood there and our eyes met. Next moment, I was hugging him in front of my dad and he hugged me back. This is our meet-cute!

We all came up and at the same time the delivery guy delivered the cake.

2^nd Feb 2021, 12 am (My birthday)

He gave me a bouquet of roses, too cliché? Well, not for me. It was just perfect but I was still in shock. We celebrated my birthday and my parents went to bed.

Finally, I sat next to him. My eyes were still curious to gaze at him but my heart was too shy to lift my chin up and see him. We both sat quietly next to each other. For the first time in my life, I loved this soft silence.

After few minutes, I broke the silence and said, “Hi” and he laughed and replied, “Hi”. The next thing I said was, “Can I touch your abs?”

With an awkward reaction he said, “alright.”

Well, I am not embarrassed. I didn’t have friends with abs throughout the year! Had to ask. :p

It took me 2 days to accept that he was really here! Soon, time passed by. We went on dates and ate only protein rich food, met my friends and partied, worked out together and motivated each other and also went for late night walks ignoring the stray dogs. Everything seemed unreal, yet peaceful.

24^th Feb 2021, (D-day)

It was happening! It was real and we finally pledged, to be each other’s better halves.

Sometimes, I still pinch myself to see if it is all just a dream, but it’s not!

You might be thinking that this is such an adorable love story, but guess what? Ours is actually an arranged one. Yes! You read it right. It’s a typical Indian way of meeting The One. Our parents found each other’s profile on matrimony website and that’s how we met. Our relationship started virtually. We spent 4 months talking to each other. I felt on the 3^rd day that he is The One! Yet, kept my mouth shut for a while. It was too good to be true to fall in love with someone virtually and then decide to get married.

Lately, I hear people asking me, how did you decide that Rikhil is The One?

My parents started to hunt for a groom when I turned 25 and I was yet single. They introduced me to a lot of so called “potential” grooms. Thanks to pandemic, I had to talk to guys only over phone and decide if I was interested in them or not? They were all wonderful men, and each of them taught me what I didn’t want in my life. I am really grateful for that.

I am not saying he is the only perfect man on this planet but just like my parents, he is my version of PERFECT with all his imperfections and I love him.

And then, I took the last sip of my masala chai and my lips curved.

Yours,

Babae

PS: I miss you.