It was smooth. Manly. Velvety enough to make her question her entire existence. š³
"Hello?" she said, her voice betraying every ounce of calm she'd tried to muster.
He responded, his voice low and steady, sending a wave of warmth through her phone.
"Hello, my name is..." he paused just long enough to tease her. "Dhurba"
Her heart skipped. S..a..nā¦.u..? She had already dubbed him that in her head, like a nickname for her own story. It just fit. Her breath hitched. š
He continued, his words wrapping around her like a slow burn. "I got your Facebook ID from my sister to contact you and learn more about you. Because, as I said earlier, we both knowāif everything goes well, we might end up in one of those beautiful marriages the gods themselves would bless." āØ
"Let's unfold the story, shall we?"
As he spoke, Somika's mind raced, trying to keep up with the conversation, but all she could think was: This is really happening. This is... happening.
They talked for hours, just getting to know each other. It wasn't forced or awkward it was easy, like they were two old friends who'd simply lost touch for a while. They explored each other's habits, shared random quirks, and slowly uncovered pieces of their personalities. Time seemed to stretch and bend, and every minute felt like it mattered. As the conversation unfolded, Somika realizedā¦ this was different. She wasn't just talking to him she was connecting with him. They were building something. And with every word, it became clearer: Dhurba wasn't just some guy her landlord had casually mentionedāhe was someone real, with a personality, a history, and a life beyond the screen. Something that went beyond small talk into something deeper.
Dhurba spoke with a quiet confidence, and though he wasn't the type to boast, his humility came through in every word. He wasn't rushing anything, and something about that made Somika feel at ease like she didn't need to pretend, didn't need to rush. She could just be herself. And for once, that felt like enough.
Let's take a moment to talk about Dhurba š³. Born and raised in the small village of Gorkha in Nepal, his upbringing was simple, shaped by family values, hard work, and a deep respect for tradition. His education wasn't just from books but from the world around him. Though he was a little older than Somika okay, maybe a few years older šāit didn't seem to matter.
Now, living in London just like Somika, he rented a room and worked as an assistant at one of the Big 5 companies in the world. He told her about his younger and older sisters, both living in the same city, along with some relatives scattered about. Dhurba also shared that he was a bit of an introvert by nature. He'd learned to find solace in reading books š and meditating š§, which helped him stay calm and grounded.
Because the more Somika listened to his voice, the more she realized she wasn't just hearing a man from her landlord's matchmaking scheme. She was hearing someone who knew who he wasāa person with a story to tell, someone who, despite being so different from her, made her feel like they were on the same page. š«
And that? That's what made her heart skip a beat š.