14 March 2014: The day I "almost" got engaged.

I'm starting to like - no, LOVE the fact that I've got someone who makes me smile morning, noon and night. Even though he is borrowed. And six years younger.

I'm his 9.30 to 6 girlfriend wherein we engage in some heavy duty flirting and the funny thing is we both know how this is going to turn out - and are absolutely OTAY with the outcome.

I love him - friend, boy friend, brother, father, grandfather (at times) - huge load of emotions here but it's a comfy couch potato feeling.

So on 14 March, I was to head to Hyderabad to catch up with the original jaaneman. Namo (not to give him away) was kind of tuned up by a couple of colleagues saying: How come you're letting her go like this to Hyderabad? She is going to meet the original lover boy! You're sending her without officially marrying her??? Etc. etc. etc.

So Namo and me both get a little giddy with all the attention and he starts - "You're not going. You are going to stay in Mumbai with me"

"If you don't want me going anywhere, put a ring on it!" I quote Sasha Fierce.

"Let's go."

"Really? Right now? Chalo."

With neither of us backing down - I tell my boss - I'm getting engaged and coming back in 20 mins.

He tells my boss to tell his boss, if she comes around asking (Has Chelsea influenced him again and made him stop working?) that he's gone to become Mr. Saldanha.

Everyone is seriously laughing and confused. Whispers of "Are they mad? Is this a joke? Are they doing this for real?" but ignoring all the nonsense we ran out hand in hand...

This was my real 'Owl and Pussycat' moment... *sigh - finally*

We actually got into a rick - and got off right outside Popleys. I love walking past them, never dreaming I'd actually walk into one - go to the diamond section (second floor).

It's a different story that Namo thought I was a good deal cause I wanted just one small solitaire with no fuss. (Soch kitna paisa bachega honeymoon ke liye!)

I actually tried out four diamond rings. And we both are giggling. We couldn't figure out the difference between the 65g and the 35g one - both looked similar except the price was the catch.

I'm waiting for him to call it off but he's actually all gung-ho about the whole thing. Until I finally said, "Let's get Mousambi here to decide if it's worth it since we both have no clue." Finally, I had to drag him out with him yelling at the top of his voice about giving him dhoka at the last moment. "You're giving me full taang like this."

So to throw the ball in his court, I told him to break up with his GF of forever and I'd drop Hyderabad and come and pick the ring myself with him in the evening.

Lol - he called his GF just as I was about to leave for Hyderabad. I stepped out on the streets with my backpack and he dials her number.

"Baby, I need to tell you something. I'm in love with Chelsea and want to marry her. I'm breaking up with you."

Two seconds silence.

"DON'T PLAY WITH ME LIKE THIS. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING... (*^%$%(*#$@#$%*&*&^^#)... PHONE DISCONNECTS!!!

I'm like FUGG - CALL HER BACK RIGHT NOW!!!!!

He scrambles to dial her number again and as soon as she picks up, I'm yelling at him to say - SORRY AND I LOVE YOU - say it about 10 times till it sinks in to her that she's the only one!!!

Idiot.

I give him one wack and a hug and I leave.

I'm sitting in the bus and a ping comes in: Darling, you left me alone... any way enjoy Hyd and miss me and come soon. We have to get married and lastly, Happy Holi!

I actually had happy tears. I guess this is the closest I'll ever come to being engaged and it's a wonderful feeling.

A heartfelt thank you to a real supportive, confident, amazing, beautiful GF who knows she has absolutely no competition in an old fart like me.

Thank you for sharing Namo with me... XXX