All out of love. Well, maybe.

Philadelphia, USA.

Their eyes met and they knew instantly, the search was over. That realization came from within, something just clicked and their hearts found a way together.
Those starting days of being inflicted with the wounds Cupid makes- they are insane. Insanely memorable. Anamika was taking up Psychology, Bilal- Business. They still met, only to immerse and sink deep within each other's eyes. Only to feel the warmth of one sweeping into another. Only to share a kiss or two that left a lingering joy, till almost forever! Life.was.beautiful!
It went on till three years. They realized it was time to go a step further.


Kabul, Afghanistan.

Anamika, covered in a hijab felt rather uncomfortable and shrugged and cringed. Not because of the attire, but because of the piercing gazes. She was sitting amidst Bilal's family members.

She intended to make them her family too but no one except Bilal's younger brother, Razi seemed to approve. She had thought she'd be scared of Afghanistan, but now she knew, she was scared of love. How amusing.The atmosphere only tensed further. Bilal was with his mother in the next room, trying to persuade her, and BANG, a utensil clanged to the floor. She heard loud sobs, and Bilal's mother stormed out and said- "THIS is who you want to marry? Forget her being an Indian or a Hindu, do we have any izzat (respect) in the society?

Bilal and Anamika took the blame on themselves. Maybe they'd been too pacy. Maybe they needed to think over themselves together. Maybe they really needed more time

Delhi, India.

"

This must be a joke?! What is this love bullshit?!? You're only smitten with the boy's good looks."
"You must be crazy? A Muslim?!"
"Not even Indian. AFGHANI?!"
"This is what we sent you to USA for?!"
"You bitch. Get over him or get out of my house."
They mentioned him, his religion, his country as if they all spelled out poison.

Repeated attempts.
Kabul.Delhi.Kabul.Delhi.Kabul.
End of attempts.

Philadelphia, USA.

New life. Yes, cut off with their respective families. Yes, still very much in love. Not "madly" or "blindly" in love, mind you.
Their friends joke around and quizzed if their child would bear a Hindu or a Muslim name. Anamika (still Anamika Khurana not Anamika Rafiq) replied, "Its rather filmy, Na Hindu banega, na Musalman banega .. Insaan ki aulaad hoga, insaan banega! "(Neither Hindu or Muslim, he'll only be human)

.

This is a true story. I know of an Anamika and Bilal who met. Who didn't care if they'd end up in a land of hijabs, ghoonghats, Diwali or Barawafat !