Rahul and Meghna's love story began at a startup conference — Mumbai, 2019. Rahul was a software engineer visiting from the US just for the conference, Meghna was a designer based in Mumbai. Over three days both talked the way old friends do. When Rahul flew back to San Francisco, they both knew — something had begun.
The First Year of Long Distance — When Technology Became a Bridge
From 2019 to 2020 Rahul was in the US, Meghna in Mumbai. A 12.5-hour timezone difference. Rahul's morning was Meghna's night. Yet both built a routine — Rahul called during his lunch break, which was Meghna's late evening. On weekends, three to four hours of video call. Watching movies together via Netflix Party. All of this was exhausting. All of this was magical too.
Meghna Sinha, 29, designer"People had said 'long distance doesn't work.' I also thought this would be over in six months. But a year passed and we were talking every day. Distance taught us how important communication is."
COVID Lockdown — When the Distance Grew Further
In 2020 COVID arrived and flights stopped. Rahul, who visited India regularly, could not come for 18 months. This period was the hardest. They lived the lockdown together on Zoom calls — Rahul in his apartment, Meghna with her family. Both listened to each other's anxiety, each other's fears. This was the biggest test of the long distance relationship — and both passed.
2021 — When Rahul Moved to London and a New Phase Began
In 2021 Rahul received a major opportunity in London — a senior role at a startup. Now the distance grew further, the timezone improved slightly but Meghna felt even more distant from India. A few tense months followed. Both took therapy — individually and online with a couples therapist too. This decision was the turning point.
2022-2023 — Dubai as the Middle Ground
Both decided one of them had to move — but who, and where? Meghna did not want to leave her freelance career, Rahul's London job was valuable. The solution came in an unexpected way — both chose Dubai as a middle ground. Meghna started doing freelance design in Dubai, Rahul began visiting Dubai frequently from London. This was not perfect but it was theirs.
2024 — A Proposal and a New Beginning
Rahul proposed to Meghna in 2024 — at the same Mumbai conference venue where they first met. Meghna says — 'I cried. But it was a cry of relief. Five years of fights, calls, midnight conversations — all of them were in that one moment.' They married in 2025 and are now together in Dubai.
Long Distance Love — 5 Things That Help It Survive
Some lessons from Rahul and Meghna's story: First — communication must be honest, not filtered. Second — an end goal is essential — when will you be together? Third — address jealousy, do not ignore it. Fourth — prioritise in-person visits, even if expensive. Fifth — both individuals' lives must be full too — do not depend solely on the relationship.
Long distance love is possible — it is just not easy. And it is not for those who are not ready for it. But for those who genuinely want to make it work — a timezone is just a number.
