On August 31, 2015, Prem and Akshata met, both attending a week-long lifeguarding course. It was the kind of setting where echoes of water splashing filled the air, and the scent of chlorine lingered. They were strangers then, thrown together by chance, sharing the occasional smile during drills or small talk between lessons.

Prem’s easy-going demeanor was a stark contrast to Akshata’s quiet focus, but somehow, they clicked. Their connection felt natural, not the kind that bursts into flames, but one that simmers quietly, ready to be reignited.

The course ended, and life took them in different directions. They remained friends, sharing an occasional fleeting digital interaction, but never anything more. For the next four years, they lived separate lives, the friendship frozen in time yet never forgotten.

Four years passed before their paths crossed again in an unexpected but familiar way. What began as a casual reunion over ice-cream quickly transformed into something deeper. This time, the connection felt undeniable. The friendship they once had was still there, but now it carried a new weight, the kind that only growth & fate could have nurtured. By August 2024, their love story had reached new heights. And on August 31st of that year - exactly nine years after they met, Prem had planned the perfect proposal. At sunset, he led Akshata to a picturesque outdoor setup near a serene pond, the still waters reflecting the golden hues of the evening sky. The pond reminded them both of the pool where their story had begun.

With a gentle breeze blowing and the sound of nature all around them, Prem knelt down, holding a small velvet box. His voice trembled as he asked her to spend forever with him. Her eyes filled with tears as she said yes, the past and present weaving into a moment they’d both cherish forever.

Their love story continued to unfold with a beautiful symmetry. On October 12, 2024, their first pre-wedding event would take place, setting the stage for the grand ceremony exactly one year later, on October 12, 2025. Their dates - perfectly aligned, just like them.

A&P