Nitim (left) and Laxmi. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Malidu (West Singhbhum), July 29: It was a chance meeting during a wedding ceremony at 16-year-old Nitim Burua?s village a couple of years ago. But those fleeting glances and that faint smile were enough to get the chemistry between Nitim and Laxmi Bari, two years her younger, working. Distance was never a hindrance as the two, albeit living in separate villages, were just a kilometre apart.

They kept meeting on and off until about eight months ago when their relationship blossomed in a paddy field where they were working. By the time the paddy was ready for harvest, they had decided to spend their life together.

Then came the turbulent time but the ending was almost like in a fairy tale. Nitim, in her 10th grade at high school in Manjhari, tied the knot with Laxmi Bari from the neighbouring Mahuda village on July 14.

Nitim played the groom and wore trousers while Laxmi dressed as the perfect dulhan, resplendent in a red sari. The entire village was there to witness the marriage and bless the couple.

For the last fortnight, the two have been sharing a room and a bed. But the sudden attention of the outside world has made them shy and they rarely appear together before an unknown person.

?We wanted to live with each other forever and the only way it could happen was by getting married. I have no explanation for this affection between us but we cannot live without each other. Everyone in our respective villages is aware of it,? says Nitim. ?If two individuals love each other and want to lead a life together why should the society have any problem,? she adds, as Laxmi, who was hiding behind a door, nodded.

Laxmi had twice attempted suicide, in January and again in April, when she became apprehensive that the marriage may not be possible. That was enough to drive home the message.

?We had no option but to give our consent to this unusual marriage between two girls. The refusal meant killing the girls as they were adamant on a life together,? says village pradhan Sirish Kumar Birua. ?We somehow saved the life of Laxmi when she first consumed poison in January and then tried to hang herself from a tree in April. Therefore, everyone decided to let them live together than become responsible for their death,? added the pradhan.

Birse Birua, Nitim?s elder brother, supported the pradhan. ?Like every normal human being, I was also shocked to know that Nitim was going to marry a girl. But when she refused to part ways with Laxmi, I gave my consent and also allowed her to stay in the family,? he said.