SEC16 W5: “My... Romeo and Juliet”
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Raqib and Inab: A Love Beyond Boundaries
Raqib is my best friend, and Inab is now his wife. My friend, Raqib, is a doctor by profession, and his wife, Inab, is a computer engineer. I would call this story "Romeo and Juliet" because I witnessed their first meeting, which happened suddenly in a crowded canteen.
In the year 2018, my friend Raqib was a first-year resident doctor at the Territory Centre located in the heart of Srinagar city. Once, while I was in Srinagar for some other work, I went to meet him in the daytime. I called him and asked him to meet me in the canteen where he was on duty. He asked me to wait for 5 to 10 minutes, and shortly after, he arrived, and we sat in a thronged canteen to have lunch.
As it was lunchtime, the canteen was fully crowded, so we took a seat at the back in the corner, facing the main entrance. While we were waiting for our order, I noticed a pretty girl with a headscarf and a decent black gown with low-heeled sandals enter the canteen and sit at a table on the right.
While I was talking to my friend, I realized that he was suddenly unresponsive to my statements. I felt bad, thinking he wasn't interested in our conversation, but I wasn't aware that he was lost in his thoughts about Inab. Then, I noticed that instead of looking at me, he was looking leftwards towards her. Sensing his distraction, I became quiet to avoid any further disturbance.
Shortly after, I saw Inab also showing interest in my friend's innocent face and intelligent mind. I thought of assisting them come together, not knowing it was a kind of love at first sight that would last forever.
Somehow, Raqib managed to start a conversation with her, exchanged numbers, and remained in touch with each other. Our food arrived, we had lunch, and then I left for home while my friend resumed his duty. Later in the evening, I called him to inquire about the situation, but he hadn't reached out to her yet.
After about 14 days, when I called my friend again, they were already in a committed bond. They both fell in love, with Raqib being a docter and Inab the engeeneir, dating each other. Raqib acted as a constant support for Inab, while she found inspiration in him. They spent countless hours exploring the city and talking to each other.
Four years later, Raqib's parents decided to arrange his marriage, unaware of his relationship with Inab. One day, I went to Raqib's home to spend some time together, as we were working at separate places. After dinner, Raqib received a call from his aunt to check his uncle's blood pressure, who lived next door. He asked me to accompany him, but I declined, as I didn't know his uncle and wouldn't feel comfortable there. He left in a hurry, hoping to return soon, while his parents approached me and expressed their desire to arrange Raqib's marriage with a relative they had seen.
Confused by their request, knowing about Raqib's relationship with Inab, I assumed they might have decided to end it mutually. They asked me to convey the message to Raqib. After Raqib returned, I informed him about his parents' intentions. He reminded me of his commitment to someone else. Before leaving in the morning, I informed Raqib's mom about Inab and provided her address to initiate inquiries for engagement.
It took about a month for Raqib's parents to inquire about Inab. Although they had concerns about her being from the city and Raqib from the village, they discussed these issues with her beforehand. Inab, deeply in love with Raqib, was ready to sacrifice everything for him, assuring him of her willingness to adjust to village life and even suggesting a residential accommodation plan for them in town.
Unable to bear the suspense, I hoped everything would work out, and they would get engaged soon. Raqib's uncle took the initiative to inform Inab's family about their relationship and arrange the marriage according to societal traditions.
However, Inab's family, unaware of Raqib-inab bond, took a week to respond, expressing their concerns about her adjustment to village life. Feeling ashamed for my assumption, I waited anxiously for Inab's family's response.
Another week passed, and Raqib's uncle asked me to convince Raqib to forget about Inab and consider other engagement proposals. Frustrated by the situation, Raqib and Inab devised a plan. Inab suggested that they visit Raqib's home once before making a final decision, and Raqib's parents agreed, albeit with the condition of an unannounced visit to observe the village's routine life.
Three days later, Insb's family visited raqib's home. Fortunately, Inab's family was satisfied with Raqib's family and the environment. Having received positive feedback about Raqib from various sources, they agreed to the union. They informed Raqib's uncle to proceed with the arrangements, bringing joy to the frustrated couple and their families. Finally, they got married in 2023.
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