Lecturer-turned-blogger, Mahvish Ahmed who is currently based in Amsterdam believes in pausing to notice the small things, loving unconditionally and hogging on biryani unapologetically. While a Pakistani at heart she is eager to learn what Holland offers. Faizaan, HR professional, is an “aspiring feminist” striving to dismantle the patriarchy one conversation at a time. He also fancies himself as a promising chef. Mahvish and Faizaan share with us their story of love and friendship.
How and where did you both first meet?
Mahvish: We were batchmates and took many classes together. But, I’d say our first meeting was in the library in 2004. That’s when we had our first conversation.
Faizaan: LUMS library. I was preparing for a Finance quiz with Mahvish’s best friend. She came in and we somehow started talking, mostly about another common friend of ours.
What did you like/ dislike about each other in your first meeting?
Mahvish: We had a funny conversation and I found him sweet. But I didn’t think we will be talking to each other again.
Faizaan: I liked that she was open and forthcoming, and I felt immediately comfortable talking to her. I don’t think I disliked anything.
How long did it take to decide that he/she was the one you wanted to marry?
Mahvish: About 9-10 months of friendship.
Faizaan: Sheesh! That’s a tough one because both of us were in our own respective weird relationship situations. But I think about 5-6 months into our friendship I started thinking that someone like her would be perfect for me.
How do you demonstrate your love in different ways?
Mahvish: Giving him a massage is my act of love because I hate giving them. On a serious note, I believe expressing love with physical gestures is extremely important. So, a hug or a kiss expresses love like no other way.
Faizaan: I try to let her do things she needs to do like sleeping in. She folds my laundry and keeps my mess under control.
What frustrates you most about your partner?
Mahvish: Two things – his snoring at night and him being a man of a few words (because I LOVE to talk).
Faizaan: She is sometimes too stubborn to understand the opposing perspective especially when it comes from me. But what’s frustrating is that the same thing said by someone else will make perfect sense to her.
Who makes up first if you have a fight or argument?
Mahvish: I am the one to approach and open up a conversation/communication after a fight. He is slowly learning how to master this art. The good thing is he is open to feedback and making changes, so as long as he makes an effort to do that, it’s all good.
Faizaan: Used to be her. I am making more of an effort now.
One thing you love about each other?
Mahvish: The fact that he always gives me the room to be who I am, without asking me to change. He enables me to reach my true potential and never holds me back from anything.
Faizaan: I can’t say no to people even at the expense of my own wellbeing. She encourages me (forces rather) to put myself first. Also, I love her smile, from the very first day we met.
Something you two have in common?
Mahvish: Love for Bollywood, music, having a laugh, meeting other (and new) people, a knack of taking good pictures, writing well, love for travelling.
Faizaan: We are quite easygoing as parents. Neither of us are fussy or obsessive parents.
Something you would want to change about your partner?
Mahvish: I want him to tell me more about the boring details of his day, the conversations he had, his high and low points
Faizaan: Make her less anxious about everything.
Who keeps the room the tidiest?
Mahvish: Me, hands down.
Faizaan: She does. But not as much as she thinks she does.
Your best memory together so far?
Mahvish: There are too many, Alhamdulillah. To name a couple: the times we had together in LUMS when we first fell in love, and the trips we took without our kids.
Faizaan: I fondly remember the farewell party for the batch of 2005. She was looking really pretty and feeling quite rebellious. She made me buy a cigarette for her from a store close to LUMS.
Your greatest strength as a couple?
Mahvish: Our trust in one another.
Faizaan: We have both changed beyond recognition since we first met in 2004. I love the fact that we have been able to keep evolving alongside each other and appreciate what the other person has been evolving into.
Describe your relationship in three words?
Mahvish: Mutual respect and space.
Faizaan: Silence! Mama Sleeping!
How and where did you both first meet?
Mahvish: We were batchmates and took many classes together. But, I’d say our first meeting was in the library in 2004. That’s when we had our first conversation.
Faizaan: LUMS library. I was preparing for a Finance quiz with Mahvish’s best friend. She came in and we somehow started talking, mostly about another common friend of ours.
What did you like/ dislike about each other in your first meeting?
Mahvish: We had a funny conversation and I found him sweet. But I didn’t think we will be talking to each other again.
Faizaan: I liked that she was open and forthcoming, and I felt immediately comfortable talking to her. I don’t think I disliked anything.
How long did it take to decide that he/she was the one you wanted to marry?
Mahvish: About 9-10 months of friendship.
Faizaan: Sheesh! That’s a tough one because both of us were in our own respective weird relationship situations. But I think about 5-6 months into our friendship I started thinking that someone like her would be perfect for me.
How do you demonstrate your love in different ways?
Mahvish: Giving him a massage is my act of love because I hate giving them. On a serious note, I believe expressing love with physical gestures is extremely important. So, a hug or a kiss expresses love like no other way.
Faizaan: I try to let her do things she needs to do like sleeping in. She folds my laundry and keeps my mess under control.
What frustrates you most about your partner?
Mahvish: Two things – his snoring at night and him being a man of a few words (because I LOVE to talk).
Faizaan: She is sometimes too stubborn to understand the opposing perspective especially when it comes from me. But what’s frustrating is that the same thing said by someone else will make perfect sense to her.
Who makes up first if you have a fight or argument?
Mahvish: I am the one to approach and open up a conversation/communication after a fight. He is slowly learning how to master this art. The good thing is he is open to feedback and making changes, so as long as he makes an effort to do that, it’s all good.
Faizaan: Used to be her. I am making more of an effort now.
One thing you love about each other?
Mahvish: The fact that he always gives me the room to be who I am, without asking me to change. He enables me to reach my true potential and never holds me back from anything.
Faizaan: I can’t say no to people even at the expense of my own wellbeing. She encourages me (forces rather) to put myself first. Also, I love her smile, from the very first day we met.
Something you two have in common?
Mahvish: Love for Bollywood, music, having a laugh, meeting other (and new) people, a knack of taking good pictures, writing well, love for travelling.
Faizaan: We are quite easygoing as parents. Neither of us are fussy or obsessive parents.
Something you would want to change about your partner?
Mahvish: I want him to tell me more about the boring details of his day, the conversations he had, his high and low points
Faizaan: Make her less anxious about everything.
Who keeps the room the tidiest?
Mahvish: Me, hands down.
Faizaan: She does. But not as much as she thinks she does.
Your best memory together so far?
Mahvish: There are too many, Alhamdulillah. To name a couple: the times we had together in LUMS when we first fell in love, and the trips we took without our kids.
Faizaan: I fondly remember the farewell party for the batch of 2005. She was looking really pretty and feeling quite rebellious. She made me buy a cigarette for her from a store close to LUMS.
Your greatest strength as a couple?
Mahvish: Our trust in one another.
Faizaan: We have both changed beyond recognition since we first met in 2004. I love the fact that we have been able to keep evolving alongside each other and appreciate what the other person has been evolving into.
Describe your relationship in three words?
Mahvish: Mutual respect and space.
Faizaan: Silence! Mama Sleeping!
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