Three stories to remind us that LOVE CONQUERS ALL

Stories of ending love and partnerships that beat the odds

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MY LEAP OF FAITH

By Nida Rahman

I sat on the first bench in class, and Mohan on the second, right behind me. We were both students of zoology at Delhi University and were drawn to each other instantly. We noticed each other in class, fully aware of the other’s attention. While exchanging notes and discussing lectures, a friendship grew and soon we began speaking on the phone. One day, out of the blue, Mohan ‘proposed’ to me via a text message, asking if I wanted to be in a relationship with him. I thought about it for a whole day, and eventually said yes. The year was 2011. It never mattered to us that we belonged to different religions—Mohan, a Hindu man, and I, a Muslim woman—or what anybody thought or said. Our emotional bond was so strong, so quickly. Those three years of graduation, we spent every day together, including our long commute back home. We studied together in the library, each preparing a topic and tutoring the other so it was more fun learning that way. Later, we enrolled in the same Master’s programme and continued studying together. Even when we couldn’t see each other every day, I managed to make up reasons to meet at least once every week.

In late 2018, Mohan decided to talk to his parents about our relationship, as did I. Both families refused to accept our being together and declined to engage in any further discussion. “Focus on your studies now,” my father said, and I did.