I have definitely heard about her before, but I think the first time I met her was in Jan 2001, during my fourth semester in BITS. I knew I had fallen for her the first time itself. You wouldn't believe, there was only one course in all the four years that I didn't miss even one class of, and it was this class that I met her in. No wonder I made an A, in spite of the usual reckless preparation I do before any test. I remember telling a friend "I think I love her." But then things changed so much after that, years just cruised over me. I even had thought I should ditch her. But I know all of you would agree that you could move on, you could probably rub if off aside as infatuation, but then it is so very difficult to forget your first love, or for that matter, any love.
Five years after Pilani, I still kept thinking of her. It was a dull drizzling evening when I was at a friend's house in Bangalore that I decided to propose to her; I agree, rainy days are the most romantic. But for the disgustingly analytical guy that I was, I made sure it was an open proposal - "I am expressing my interest in you. If you're also interested and if you think you would also benefit from this relation as much I think I would, please consider. We don't have to decide right now, there is still so much time ahead of us. I am equally fine with both a yes and a no."
Months sailed, I went to the US and I started missing her more. Not a day, I could spend without thinking about her. Finally, I decided to make it official. I did propose to her on the 14th of not February, but August, 2008. Yes, I took seven long years to know that I was in love. We met six weeks later, on 24th Sep and our rendezvous went as expected, no surprises and no shocks. I came back from the US and I just couldn't concentrate at work, forget about my tough times at home during those twilight evenings. I wrote to her parents on Dec 1st, they did get back to me and all of us met on Jan 29.
Two weeks later, I came to know that all of them were happy about our relationship. For six months, every evening, I would have a session with my parents about this and finally they too started believing that this is the best that could happen to me. In fact, I spoke with her parents only after getting the approval from my parents.
It was all set when on Apr 8th, my uncle came and said "I thought it was decided much before that you will be marrying my daughter." We were all shocked. I personally remember speaking about my love to my aunt and her daughter. In fact my uncle knows about it too. But my uncle decided not to budge. My aunt couldn't influence him, nor her daughter. I told my uncle "This is my life. Things change. I agree there has been some disconnect. But the blame rests on all of us. We have to do the best thing, for all of us now". But my uncle didn't move an inch. Finally I said "Ok, let us leave this for now. Let us think about this over the next one year. We will come back and discuss this exactly one year from now."
I have told my parents, my girlfriend's parents, my uncle's family and everyone concerned. Things are on hold till next year. Over this one year, I could change, my uncle could change, his daughter or my girlfriend ... anyone could change. Whatever the change is, I hope it is for the good, for the good of everyone.
All characters above are fictitious and any resemblance is purely coincidental. Starring, in the order of appearance:
My girlfriend - My MBA
My fourth semester class - Principles of Management
A friend to whom I confessed I am probably in love - my wingie in BITS
My decision to propose - I registered at mba.com
My official proposal on 14 Aug 2008 - I booked my GMAT
My rendezvous on 24 Sep 2008 - I took my GMAT
My letter to her parents on Dec 1 2008 - My ISB application
Meeting her parents on Jan 29 2009 - My ISB interview
My uncle and family - Cisco
Five years after Pilani, I still kept thinking of her. It was a dull drizzling evening when I was at a friend's house in Bangalore that I decided to propose to her; I agree, rainy days are the most romantic. But for the disgustingly analytical guy that I was, I made sure it was an open proposal - "I am expressing my interest in you. If you're also interested and if you think you would also benefit from this relation as much I think I would, please consider. We don't have to decide right now, there is still so much time ahead of us. I am equally fine with both a yes and a no."
Months sailed, I went to the US and I started missing her more. Not a day, I could spend without thinking about her. Finally, I decided to make it official. I did propose to her on the 14th of not February, but August, 2008. Yes, I took seven long years to know that I was in love. We met six weeks later, on 24th Sep and our rendezvous went as expected, no surprises and no shocks. I came back from the US and I just couldn't concentrate at work, forget about my tough times at home during those twilight evenings. I wrote to her parents on Dec 1st, they did get back to me and all of us met on Jan 29.
Two weeks later, I came to know that all of them were happy about our relationship. For six months, every evening, I would have a session with my parents about this and finally they too started believing that this is the best that could happen to me. In fact, I spoke with her parents only after getting the approval from my parents.
It was all set when on Apr 8th, my uncle came and said "I thought it was decided much before that you will be marrying my daughter." We were all shocked. I personally remember speaking about my love to my aunt and her daughter. In fact my uncle knows about it too. But my uncle decided not to budge. My aunt couldn't influence him, nor her daughter. I told my uncle "This is my life. Things change. I agree there has been some disconnect. But the blame rests on all of us. We have to do the best thing, for all of us now". But my uncle didn't move an inch. Finally I said "Ok, let us leave this for now. Let us think about this over the next one year. We will come back and discuss this exactly one year from now."
I have told my parents, my girlfriend's parents, my uncle's family and everyone concerned. Things are on hold till next year. Over this one year, I could change, my uncle could change, his daughter or my girlfriend ... anyone could change. Whatever the change is, I hope it is for the good, for the good of everyone.
All characters above are fictitious and any resemblance is purely coincidental. Starring, in the order of appearance:
My girlfriend - My MBA
My fourth semester class - Principles of Management
A friend to whom I confessed I am probably in love - my wingie in BITS
My decision to propose - I registered at mba.com
My official proposal on 14 Aug 2008 - I booked my GMAT
My rendezvous on 24 Sep 2008 - I took my GMAT
My letter to her parents on Dec 1 2008 - My ISB application
Meeting her parents on Jan 29 2009 - My ISB interview
My uncle and family - Cisco
your story was heart-wrenching .. sob sob. Gold will only shine when
ReplyDeletesubjected to intense heat, sugarcane
will give sweet juice only when squeezed hard, but I know u were always shining and always sweet ...
have always been will always be.
I think people arnd. you deserve
to spend some more time with you, and
ISB folks can wait ;-)
Dont you worry..
ReplyDeleteThere is a great saying..
"True love never looses.."
Great blog. keep writing! If you look at this decision few years down the line, I'm sure you wont regret it. Best Of Luck!
ReplyDeleteI asked for strength and
ReplyDeleteGod gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom and
God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity and
God gave me brawn and brain to work.
I asked for courage and
God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love and
God gave me troubled people to help.
Hey..
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful blog!!..True Love always triumphs..am sure u'll make it soon..
just don't work too much in Cisco..:-)
That was one awesomely creative post:)
ReplyDeletehm, very bad...
ReplyDeleteeven I feel let down but I think its probably easier to feel/say anything from my side rather than from yours...
But, I think its got nothing to do with ur positives/negatives (as u have written in your blog)...
you know/I know that you are lot lot better than most other humans living in present day world.
I know its disappointing but i hope u come back stronger from this
As always, let think, hope and pray that this setback is just a stepping stone for some greater things to come in future
Am absolutely sure of it...
yoo. attractive thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteuh.. bookmarked post :)
ReplyDeleteCant believe anyone can be so damn crazy in love with their future course so much that they can delay wedding,construction of home and God knows what not.. too many sacrifices and then this beautiful dream to get into ISB
ReplyDeletejust a question why not other top institutions in the world...
If there is anything special abt ISB than being the top 15th institute in world please let us also know.. could be useful to others as well... if it is all a matter of personal choice
no comments at all .. :)
All the best
Yes, just a personal choice - considering the one-year duration, finances, etc. Rankings are anyways a little skewed ... I can see ISB ahead of Kellogg, only in the ranking :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in love only with my MBA, not with ISB.
Your girlfriend is your wife now.. the wait for the final day is over..
ReplyDeleteHappy graduation !!!!