82-year-old Rajasthan man 'feels 21 again' as he finds Australian lover after 50 years; read heartfelt story

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, April 3

An 82-year-old gatekeeper of a haunted ghost town, Kuldhara, in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer found his first love after 50 years. The elderly man shared his life story with the Humans of Bombay. 

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“I was in my 30s when I first met Marina–she’d come to Jaisalmer from Australia, for a desert safari. It was a 5 day trip & I taught her to ride a camel! This was the 1970s–un dino, pehli nazar mein pyaar ho jata tha! 

That’s exactly what happened–for both of us, it was love at first sight. Throughout the trip, we couldn't take our eyes off each other. Before leaving for Australia, she said, ‘I love you;’ I went red! Nobody had ever said those words to me. I was so shy; I couldn't utter a word in response!

But she understood & we stayed in touch–Marina would write to me every week. Soon, she invited me to Australia–I was over the moon! 

Without informing my family, I took a loan of Rs.30,000, bought a ticket, arranged for a visa & flew to be with her. Those 3 months were magical–she taught me English, I taught her to do the ghoomar. But then she said, ‘Let’s get married & settle in Australia!’–things got complicated.

I wasn't ready to leave my motherland & she wasn’t willing to move to India. I told her–‘This can’t work long term,’ & we parted ways. It wasn’t easy–she cried the day I left, but I had to let her go.

Then, life moved on. A few years later, owing to family pressure, I had to get married. I took up a job as the gatekeeper of Kuldhara, an abandoned ghost town to fend for my family. But I’d often think about Marina–‘Would she have gotten married?’, ‘Will I ever see her again?’ but I never had the courage to write to her.

As time passed, memories faded; I got busy with family responsibilities. And then 2 years ago, my wife passed away. All my sons were married & had moved out. And here I was, an 82 year old man, gatekeeping India’s haunted village.

And just when I thought life couldn't surprise me anymore, it did! A month ago, Marina wrote to me; she asked, ‘How are you my friend?’ After 50 years, she found me! Since then, she calls me everyday; we have so much to catch up on!

She told me she’d never gotten married & that she’s coming to India soon. Ramji ki kasam, I feel like I’m 21 again! I don’t know what the future holds, but knowing that my first love is back in my life & talks to me everyday is a feeling I can’t explain.” #StoriesFromTheThar"