Real love story: I never knew I would meet my future husband in a theatre class

Two years ago, if someone would have told me that I would meet my partner in love and crime not on a dating website, but in a class, I would have laughed on their faces and given them a ‘Boohoo!’.
But it all started when I joined a theatre workshop in Delhi, just looking to spend some weekends being productive instead of doomscrolling on my couch. A friend of mine convinced me to come with her, take a trial session, and then decide what to do next, but after three classes, I knew this is where I belonged. Not just for the learning, but also for the boy who seemed ever so patient and sweet! It was almost like the theatre was the stage for the greatest love story of my life, one that would make me want to get married.

So on a random weekend in May 2023, I attended the first day of class. It was all a blur of new faces and awkward icebreaker activities, with the teacher telling us to mingle, have fun, and get to know each other for the next few hours. And as I went around the room, I heard a guy telling the other, ‘Theatre is all about connection. ’ Although I rolled my eyes at that, as I write this, I am almost in tears, laughing out loud at how I met him.
When he walked towards me, I was expecting yet another cheesy line from a theatre fanboy, but he just said, ‘Hi, I am Akash , I love meeting new people, and went away! I just stood there, thinking, ‘What? That is it! No cheesy lines for me? No messages about how much he likes theatre? Did he just lie to one person, or did he see me judging him?’
The evening went by, and there were no more conversations, just some basic lessons about theatre, acting, expressions, some history, and the like. In fact, 2-3 classes ahead went in theories and some coordination activities, which I am not going to lie, were super fun. There was yelling, screaming, booing, and so much more.
But then one day, as we were divided into pairs, I stuck to Anushka’s hand (the friend who dragged me there) to assert her as my pair. But then life had other plans, and I was paired with Akash (looking back, thank you, Life!). This is when we had to start talking and get to know each other. As classes went by, I started noticing him. The dark, slightly tousled hair, his weird dressing style, which was all shirts and no tees or polo shirts and, of course, the brown eyes. Over time I got to know that Akash was warm, made a few friends but loved meeting plenty, and he was a die-hard fan of poetry, theatre, and all things literature. And you know what the best part was?
The dimple that poked through his face every time he smiled.

As the weeks went by, I also realised that Akash was one of those people who are effortlessly charismatic, make friends with everyone, always have a joke to crack at hand, and just a ‘get it’ spirit that made people love to be around them. 6 months had passed since I had joined the acting class, and our pairs were switched atleast thrice in between, but the only person I liked to be with was either Anushka or Akash, and for Akash, I soon learned why.

One evening, after an intense improvisation exercise, Akash and I stayed back to rehearse a scene together. Anushka and Arunima (the other pair) were also with us, but now I was much more comfortable with just Akash being around, too. After all, we used to talk post classes, pre classes, some calls, some reel sharing on Instagram, and of course, heated discussions on who was better - Mirza Ghalib or Mir Taqi Mir. Not much later, I found out and realised that I was not just enjoying my classes here in the academy; I was enjoying Akash’s company too! The way he spoke, the way he laughed, the way he made me feel like I belonged- it was all like a dream come true for me.

And so, as the conversations increased and the inside jokes started, I felt a pull between the two of us. But me being me, I did not want to rush things or give him any ‘hints’, and so I kept it to myself. But then one day, Akash asked me, ‘Coffee after?’ And oh my my, the butterflies in my stomach were trying to escape and the tears in my eyes were about to well up, but me being me, calm and straight face throughout said ‘Why not!’.
One coffee meeting turned to a coffee date, the coffee date turned to ‘Dinner tomorrow?’, and the dinner tomorrow turned to ‘Lunch at my place’. It was clear that we enjoyed each other's company, we loved each other's attention, and we were attracted to each other not just in feelings but also in intellect. And let me tell you guys, it is extremely important to match not just in love and cheesy things but also academically and intellectually!

And so, as our conversations only turned sweet and our love grew, Akash randomly said, ‘You know, I think this whole theatre thing was the Universe’s way of making me fall into your arms, ’ and well, I was charmed.

As our theatre love grew, so did our age and professional designations, so when the question of ‘Are you seeing someone?’ was popped by the parents, we knew the answer. It was a yes and a together forever for us.
Two years later, as I write this, I can’t help but smile about how it all started. Akash and I just got ‘ Rokafied ’, our wedding is scheduled in November this year, and everytime someone asks us how we met, we just look at each other, grin, and say, ‘It all started in a theatre class....’
So the next time your friends pester you to join a pottery studio or an open mic, go, enjoy, live, and maybe you will meet the man of your dreams waiting right there for you.