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Rahul was my 1st crush! He was my best friend–as a 9 year old, I loved playing catch with him.

Over the years, I developed feelings for him, but whenever I was scared of confessing–what if he doesn’t feel the same way? I didn’t want to lose him. But one day in 2008, after a decade of being friends, while attending a mela, Rahul bought me flowers & said, ‘It took me time to realize, but I’m in love with you.’ I couldn’t contain my happiness! I told him I always loved him & thus began our love story!

The upgrade from best friends to lovers suited us well. For the next 8 years, we fought & made up right after. I could bare my heart in front of Rahul; he celebrated my wins & held me as I cried when I lost my parents. He’s my world! But when we began thinking of the next step–Rahul met with an accident that rendered him paralysed waist down; he was 21. When I saw him, I said, ‘We'll get through this together!’

After his discharge, I didn’t leave his side. While his family was away, working, I’d tend to him. I’d bathe & feed him; on gloomy days, I’d wipe his tears & on good days, I’d make his favorite meal. Rahul would say, ‘Move on & start afresh.’ But I’d reply, ‘My life is with YOU… forever!

2 months later, Rahul’s family moved to Lucknow–we did long-distance for 4 years! But when the distance got to me, I visited his parents to seek their permission for the marriage. To my utter shock, his father refused–we were from different castes. But we didn’t give up!

Back then, Rahul went to a Rehabilitation Centre. After learning about our situation, the centre tried convincing his family. Finally, Rahul’s father said, ‘Your bond is too strong to be broken.’ With his blessing, we got married!

In the 12 years of dating, Rahul & I had had hundreds of conversations about our ‘wedding day’ - ‘aisi dance karengey’ ‘yeh pahenengey’ And although there were tweaks in what the day actually looked like, it was nothing short of perfect! As I wheeled Rahul during the 7 pheras, I made a vow & told Rahul, ‘I promise to be your walking stick through life!’

Rahul often says, ‘I got lucky with you!’ But I think I lucked out. Afterall, not everyone ends up with their 1st crush, right?”