“I was 19 when I first met her during Navratri. I immediately asked my cousin if he knew who she was and to introduce me — which he did. The first thing I said to her was, ‘you dance really well’ and from there it all began. I used to wear an artificial limb back then, but I believe that when God takes something away from you, he gives back to you in 10 other ways and for me that has always been my confidence — I’ve never felt handicapped. Our dates were like any other — I still remember the first time I asked her out to a movie and she said, ‘but I’ve never travelled out of Ghatkopar — I won’t be allowed.’ So I told her to tell her parents that she’s going with her friends and that’s where the real burden was — I didn’t mind paying any amount for her, but along with her came a group of 5 friends who I was also paying for! But I was so in love— nothing mattered!

Those were the days — the 90’s pubs like Slip Disc and Blue Nile were the best and we really partied! Our courtship period was around 2 and a half years after which her parents wanted her to get married. Both of us were from similar backgrounds and the same religion but they were vehemently against her marrying someone who was handicapped.

Honestly, I would feel the same way if my daughter asked me to marry someone without a limb, but it was those difficult times that actually made me realise what love really is. Even though I was madly in love with her, I was ready to let her go because I thought that was best for her — her happiness was more important than my own.

I spoke to her and asked her what she wanted to do and to do what’s right for her. She thought about it and spoke to her parents. She told them, ‘If I was married to someone without a handicap, and they got into an accident and lost a limb — would I leave him? I love him and I want to marry only him.’ When they still didn’t agree, I told her that I would do anything for her — I would make all the arrangements and keep her happy for the rest of our lives. That small conversation between us was enough — I picked her up, we got married at Arya Mandhir and the rest as they say is history. Her parents were fine within a few months, but that decision has been the best one. I married a gem — she’s so caring and kind. She has loved and accepted me from day 1. She lifts up and carries people…she’s carried me my entire life.”

“What’s the best part about him?”
“He is the most intelligent and independent man I’ve met. Not having a leg doesn’t stop him from doing anything — he travels abroad almost every other week, he swims, plays table tennis and has done every adventure sport from sky diving to scuba diving. But more than anything, he will do anything to see his family happy. He’s always protected me…limb or no limb — in every way he’s my superman.”

Story By – Humans of Bombay

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