Tell us the story of how you met.

Sunil: We met on bus 151, which I boarded outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). I was going back home to Sengkang after a long day at school.

Khirti: He walked past me and sat at the back. I recognised him as someone from a lecture we attended. A few minutes later, he came and asked if he could sit next to me.

Sunil: I am not sure exactly why I did that; I had never approached women before. I probably thought it was going to be a long ride home, so why not chat with someone?

Khirti: I didn’t quite like him during our first meeting, but somehow, we met again after an exam and started hanging out.

What were your first impressions?

Sunil: I remembered her smile and her bubbly personality. I could see she was wary, but we had a chat for about 45 minutes, about what I can’t remember.

Khirti: Irritating. Hehe!!

Tell us about your first date.

Sunil: We had chicken rice at a hawker centre. It was simple yet memorable.

How did you know your partner was the one?

Sunil: I don't know if you can look at someone and say “she’s the one” but there were aspects that attracted me to her – she was simple, not arrogant, satisfied with the simpler things in life, always happy and smiling at the lamest of things. It was just that. Her values aligned with mine and that was most important.

Khirti: There was a connection, we had shared values, a sense of comfort and support. He checked a few boxes and we were happy together.

What do you love about your partner?

Sunil: She is an amazing mother. The effort she puts into raising our child is just beautiful to see.
It's hard to explain, but when you don’t feel too good about something and need a shoulder to lean on, she's always there. I am generally over-sensitive and an overthinker, but she helps me balance out my thoughts and feelings.

I always tell my wife, when I first met her, I don't quite recall if I found her as stunning as I find her today. But there are occasions when I look at her now and go “Wow.”

Khirti: He always strives to be better.

How has your partner made you a better person? Or what you have learned from your partner? 

Sunil: We all have our own worries in life, so much so that we forget what it is that really matters. Her carefree spirit is a lesson not just for me but for many others.

Khirti: He’s an overthinker, and the good part of that is he makes you think of the different perspectives before reacting to something.

Give us your best relationship advice.

Sunil: If I had to say something, it would be that it’s easier to give up than it is to make things work. Nothing’s as rosy as people make it out to be. Beneath every relationship is hard work.

Khirti: Understand each other’s needs and changing needs over the years, communicate and listen, and never fail to keep the magic alive.

Do you have any memories of NUS as a couple?

Sunil: How I met her has been probably the best story of our NUS memories. It all started from just a bus ride, albeit an extremely random one. I don’t know what clicked that day to make this happen.

Khirti: Our first bus meeting, sociology orientation camps, celebrating birthdays in the honours room, and lunching at the FASS canteen.

---

This story first appeared in the AlumNUS on 8 February 2024. Photos courtesy of the couple.