26 years and counting: A Tribute.

Who would have thought that a chance encounter in a foreign land would lead to a life-long love story as sweet as sugar. But that was how it started. Chance. Fate. Destiny. Call it whatever. They met, they fell in love and half a century (+1) later, they're still going strong.

This is the story of my parents; one I've heard over and over again since childhood; one that miraculously, i never tire of hearing.

This is their love story.

Neither came from wealthy families. Far from it. Theirs were families who scrapped to make ends meet. Living life one day at a time. But hardship was not the only thing they had in common. They both had big dreams; dreams that eventually took them to the far corners of the world.

He studied Chemical engineering in UMIST, Manchester. She took up physics in Manchester University. His sharp mind, quick intelligence stunned many. Her brilliance, her quiet charm mesmerized the rest. Ahhh, but neither knew of the other. Their lives were moving on a parallel plane, so near, yet not near enough to cross the other's path.

Summer - a well deserved break after months of hard studying. Both decided to travel to places they had only heard of in childhood. He went alone and she, with friends.

Copenhagen, Denmark.
He was enjoying the sights. And one sight of many caught his eye.
A lady of graceful beauty, lost among the crowd of Caucasians.
As is her nature, she was oblivious to the gaze of this one young man.
Afraid he’d lose sight of her, he went up to her and said hello.
He talked a clumsy, nervous sort of gibberish.
She quietly sat with him, politely listened.
They’ll never admit to it, but it was love at first sight for both.
Enjoying each other's company while waiting for their respective trains.

Before they knew it, it was time to part ways.
There were no hand phones then; no emails; no plausible way to keep in touch. So they said their goodbyes. Off they went to the lives they once lived where neither knew of the other.

A new semester. New apartments. Another year in college.
Nothing different from the last.
Or so they thought.

Until he saw her, again.
‘Ahh, what miracle is this?' he thought.
For right there, living next door to him was that beautiful lady he had met on his trip.

Chance. Fate. Destiny. Call it whatever.
They met, they fell in love, they were happy.

3 continents, 2 dozen different houses and 5 children later, they're still happy. As should. =)

The End.

Mom, Abah: HAPPY 26th ANNIVERSARY!
I love you! Muahh!