I first saw him on the very first day of middle school. It was one of those awkward yet exciting moments when everyone was trying to figure out who everyone else was. I clearly remember Gulshan's soft voice introducing himself: "I am Gulshan Singh Rawat, and my father's name is Arjun Singh Rawat." It was just an introduction, but something in the way he spoke caught my attention.

I found myself intrigued. He wasn't loud or boastful, but he had a calm confidence. As the first year passed, I realized he was a serious student—always focused and responsible. He wasn't easily distracted by the usual middle school chaos. By the second year, I had worked up the courage to approach him just as a friend, but I didn't realize there was already a long line of girls vying for his attention. I remember one Valentine's Day in eighth grade when a girl gave him a Valentine's Day card and a gift, only for him to politely reject it. The whole school buzzed about it, talking about how Gulshan wasn't interested in anyone, which made him seem even more mysterious.

Over the next couple of years, I got to know him a little better. Our connection grew stronger, though I still admired him from a distance, quietly appreciating his dedication to his studies and his calm demeanor. Then came the time when I had to leave for a different city to continue my education. Saying goodbye was hard, but I promised to visit during summer breaks and kept in touch through our mutual friends.

As the years passed, I found myself getting more and more absorbed in my studies—and in my one-sided love for MS Dhoni (Yes, the famous cricket player). Oh, Dhoni! He broke my heart without even knowing it. When high school graduation came, I decided I was done with all the boys (Yup, I was done alright because MS Dhoni got married, LOL).

One day, a disaster struck my state while I was back in my hometown. Floods, landslides, and cloudbursts were all over the news, and we were all worried about safety and well being of our families and friends. My mom came to me and said, "Your high school friends are at that college, and I heard it got flooded. You should check on them." I replied, "Maa, I don't have their contact numbers. How am I supposed to reach them?" She said, "I don't know, but you figure it out." So, there I was, with no way to reach them. Then, I realized of a brilliant invention, Mark Zuckerberg's creation came to my rescue—Facebook. Three of my middle school friends were there, so I decided to message Gulshan and Subham. To my surprise, Gulshan responded the same day. I was relieved to know they were safe.

But Facebook, being Facebook, had other plans. Our conversation picked up again, and things took a turn when I mentioned that I was studying CS. Gulshan, it turned out, was pursuing Computer Sciences. He thought I was studying computer sciences, which I found amusing since I was actually pursuing studies to become a Company Secretary. He showed interest in what I was doing, and I couldn't help but laugh at the mix-up. We started chatting regularly, though his responses were always "AND..." It became a running joke. I always had to continue his never-ending "ANDs." It felt like our own little secret language.

We messaged each other for six months but never once spoke over the phone. It wasn't until we were nearing the end of our post-secondary programs that Gulshan finally got the courage to say, "We should exchange phone numbers." So, we did. Our first call was on January 1, 2014 (Don’t ask about the date – accountant brain remembers stuff like this). It was my initiation. I called him and wished him "Hello, Happy New Year!" in Hindi, and he responded in Garhwali (our dialect). My brain was so confused at first as we always chatted in Hindi; I didn't know what to say. I quickly said, "I'll call you in a minute," and hung up.

After a brief moment of gathering myself, I called him back. We talked a little, but he soon mentioned he had a final exam that day. Typical Gulshan—always focused. A few months later, we met in person along with our group of friends. I'll never forget seeing him again. He wore khaki pants, sports shoes, a tucked-in shirt, and a formal sweater, with the shy smile I had always remembered. He looked the same, but something about him had changed. We had all grown up and so had our friendship.

Our reunion was a blast. We spent time catching up, laughing, and sharing stories. It felt like we were back in middle school again, even though we had all changed in our own ways. But the bond we shared was still there, stronger than ever. As I look back on all those years, I realize that the journey from middle school to now has been something special. It feels like time has stood still in a way, and we're still in the same year—still in that same place where it all started. Today's connection is built on those small moments, those countless conversations, and the way fate brought us together again. Honestly, I don't think it will ever end.

In 2017 I lost my mom, and I moved to Canada to be with my sister Deepika. Distance drew us apart again, but our love continued to grow quietly. Two years later, Gulshan decided to follow me to Canada.

Many years later Gulshan finally proposed me in Bali. It wasn’t flashy or extravagant—just a simple, intimate moment that marked the conclusion of years of memories and an unspoken connection.

I love you and I can’t wait to spend rest of my life with you! (Oh no!)