It all began on October 15, 2019, when we first talked on WhatsApp. At that time, we didn’t even know what the future held for us. Our connection deepened through phone conversations, though we had never met in person.
The first time we saw each other was on September 15, 2020. My mother had gone to Dhaka with my younger sister and left me in the village. That day, I saw him on his friend’s bike. I secretly handed him a letter and 100 taka without being able to talk much, fearing what people in the village might think. He gently asked me to touch his hand, but I was too shy and scared. That was the first moment we saw each other in real life.
On November 2, 2020, at 9:30 AM, we met again at a restaurant. That day, I had run away from home after a disagreement, intending to go to an orphanage. But he convinced me to return home. What I didn’t expect was the surprise—he brought a diamond ring and proposed to me. That day became our engagement day, a moment I never saw coming.
On March 5, 2021, at 2:30 PM, we secretly got married. Only a few of his friends and three of mine knew about it.
After marriage, I encouraged him to work towards our future. He started a cattle farm, but unfortunately, it failed. Then he tried to get a job by paying 100,000 taka for verification, only to be scammed. Later, he fell into another trap when a broker promised him a visa to Romania in exchange for 700,000 taka. The visa and tickets were fake, and the broker disappeared. He was devastated, didn’t leave his room, and cried a lot. I stood by him, gave him strength, and helped him recover emotionally.
Eventually, he made a new passport and decided to take the dangerous journey to Europe. He traveled to Libya and stayed in a game house before risking his life crossing the sea. Alhamdulillah, he finally reached Italy.
Now he lives in a big house in Italy, works at a restaurant, and is doing well. He gives me time whenever he’s free, and he’s preparing for our future. He’s fixing his home and plans to return to Bangladesh to marry me formally in front of both families.
His entire family knows and loves me. His mother affectionately calls me "babbu," the same nickname she uses for him. His father dreams of bringing me in a helicopter on our wedding day. His family has accepted me wholeheartedly, and I love them dearly in return.
My own family still doesn’t know about our marriage. He has promised to convince them and make our marriage public through a wedding ceremony.
At one point, while he was still in Bangladesh, he was imprisoned for 21 days due to a false accusation. During those days, my birthday came. While in jail, he asked someone skilled to make a pen wrapped with thread spelling out my name. After being released, he gave it to me as a birthday gift. It’s the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received.
He is the only son of his parents, with one elder sister. Though he’s the youngest, he is considered the head of the family. I’m the middle child in my family—an elder brother above me and a younger sister below.
I used to be a very soft-hearted girl, easily hurt and emotional. He helped me grow up emotionally, helped me become more mature. Now, I try to understand him more than he understands me. Funny how love can make you grow, right?
I love chocolate the most. Just a few days ago, he sent me a chocolate parcel worth 4,000 taka. In return, I have gifted him clothes like panjabis, t-shirts, and a watch using my saved money and Eid salami.
This past Ramadan, he prayed for me in every tahajjud prayer and iftar dua, asking Allah to make me fully his. I do the same every day.
Our love has endured distance, hardship, and secrecy. But it’s also been filled with sincerity, sacrifice, and unwavering support. One day, this love will shine in front of the world—with our hands finally held in public, not in secret.
This is our story.