A Love Beyond Boundaries

Anjali and Rahul’s story wasn’t just about love; it was about fate, courage, and the unseen threads that bind two hearts together.

"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Anjali, tum nahi samjhogi..." Ever since Anjali watched that movie, it became her favorite. How could it not? The main heroines were named Anjali — played by Kajol and Rani Mukerji. Anjali began living in a filmy dream world, as most young hearts do at that age.

Whenever her mother scolded her, and Anjali pouted in anger, her grandmother would come to her rescue, gently explaining her mother’s perspective in private. And Anjali’s sentimental retort was always the same: "You won’t understand, Dadi... kuch kuch hota hai."

Anjali’s obsession with films was no secret. Her family knew that after watching any movie, she would spend days living as if she were one of its characters. So, when "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" fever took over, even Dadi knew this Kajol phase would last a while.

“Mom, I want a haircut like Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and that same hairband!” Nandu, Anjali’s younger sister, had been pestering their mother, Sushma, for days. But Sushma had been ignoring her, silently hoping the madness would pass.

Today, however, Sushma finally snapped, "You silly girl! Cutting your hair like Kajol’s won’t make you Kajol. She gets paid for this... what will you get? You have such long, beautiful hair, and you want to chop it off for fashion? Who are you trying to impress? First Anjali’s wandering around acting like Kajol, and now you want her haircut! When will this filmy fever leave my girls?”

Nandu shrunk back in silence. Sushma’s anger was a force to be reckoned with, and when she lost her temper, all three kids knew better than to argue. They huddled together in a corner, victims of their mother’s wrath.

But the sound of their father’s bicycle bell brought smiles back to their faces. Duggu, the youngest, ran to the door, yelling, "Papa ji! Namaste Papa ji!" claiming his credit for greeting their father first.

“I brought jalebis for everyone!” Rajesh, their father, announced cheerfully. “I thought hot jalebis would double the joy of this rainy weather.”

"But I like gulab jamun, not jalebi," Nandu pouted.

Their grandmother seized the moment. “Sawan has begun. Nandu, keep the Monday fasts, and Lord Shiva will bless you with a husband like himself — simple and kind.”

Just then, the rain came pouring down, filling the air with the earthy fragrance of wet soil. Anjali and Nandu, unable to resist, raced to the terrace to dance in the rain. As they laughed, Nandu’s gaze fell on a boy standing on a neighboring rooftop, staring at Anjali. Anjali, too, stole glances at him, though she tried to be discreet. But Nandu noticed everything.

“Di, you know what they say, right?” Nandu teased.

“What?” Anjali asked.

“That love and a smile can never be hidden. When two people are in love, they think no one can see them — but they’re the blind ones.”

The next morning, as Nandu waited at the bus stop, she saw the same boy again. After that day, he seemed to appear everywhere — on the way to college, at the market, always watching Anjali. One day, Nandu saw them waiting for the bus, standing a little apart but clearly connected, having already let four buses go by.

“Shall I count how many buses you two have missed, or should I remind you that to get somewhere, you have to start moving?” Nandu teased, standing between them. Anjali, flustered, tried to change the subject.

There was something in that boy’s eyes — something that turned the usually bold and cheerful Anjali into a shy, blushing girl. That evening, after much prodding, Anjali confessed to Nandu that his name was Rahul, a senior from her college, recently placed in a Bangalore company, and leaving in two weeks.

“So... what’s the plan?” Nandu asked.

“I’m meeting him after college tomorrow,” Anjali admitted.

“Then I’m coming too,” Nandu declared.

The next day, they met Rahul at a café. “Hi, I’m Rahul... naam toh suna hi hoga,” he joked, making both sisters laugh.

“What a combination!” Nandu teased. “Anjali and Rahul — straight out of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. No wonder this movie fever isn’t leaving her!”

As they chatted, Nandu again asked, “So... what’s the plan?”

Rahul, without hesitation, said, “Marriage, of course.”

Anjali looked at him, speechless.

“I mean... I have a good job now, and I’ve found a girl I adore. If Anjali says yes, I’ll talk to my parents about a formal proposal.”

Nandu, sensing Anjali’s unspoken agreement, replied, “Well, you have our approval. But to make this official, you’ll need to win over our grandmother. She’s the key to everything.”

The next day, Anjali’s world turned upside down. Over dinner, her father announced that a family was coming to see her the following evening... for a marriage proposal.

That night, Anjali cried to Nandu, heartbroken. “I should’ve told them earlier... Rahul asked me so many times... but I was scared... and now it’s too late.”

The next evening, Anjali dressed like a doll, but her heart was heavy. The house buzzed with excitement, except for her. As the groom’s family sat across from them, the boy’s mother finally asked Anjali, “We like you very much, but it’s your life. If you like my son Rahul, we’d be happy to move forward.”

At the sound of Rahul’s name, Anjali looked up, startled — and there he was, sitting right across from her, smiling.

Nandu and Rahul exchanged guilty smiles, silently asking for forgiveness.

It turned out that Nandu had told their grandmother everything. Dadi had convinced their father to meet Rahul’s family, and seeing no reason to refuse, they arranged the meeting. To Anjali’s parents, Rahul was their perfect choice.

Later that night, Anjali hugged Nandu tightly. “Thank you... for giving me my love back.”

Nandu, teasing as always, whispered, “Come on, Di. You kept the Sawan fasts, and Shivji himself sent Rahul to stand in line for you. This was your destiny.”

Anjali and Rahul’s engagement took place as planned, and two months later, they were married. Rahul moved to Bangalore for work, and though miles apart, their hearts remained as close as ever, beating in sync, living their fairytale... together.

Because some loves aren’t meant to be hidden — they’re meant to bloom, against all odds.