Anthony comes across as a cool, confident and assured non-conformist. He has great passion in his work. He seems like someone who quietly works against odds towards his dreams and ideals, waiting to fulfill them one day.

Pia is somewhat like the female version of Anthony (or Anthony the male version of Pia) – poised, intelligent and graceful.

Based on what I gathered from the speech given by Anthony’s dad, it was somewhat unexpected for Anthony to become a doctor. The impression his dad gave was a mischievous, hyperactive, bold and wild one. This personality (apart from the occasional mischievous glint in Anthony’s eyes) has been pretty well concealed. So Anthony’s decision to become a ‘down-to-earth’ doctor came somewhat as a surprise to dad.

As soon as Anthony had completed his Masters’ exams, he wasted no time in pursuing his real ideals by joining the MSF – Médecins Sans Frontières (an organization that is more popularly known as ‘doctors without borders’) which must have came as a surprise to his parents. Or perhaps not. In spite of the parents’ initial apprehension of this move, I could imagine the pride that helped soothe the worry.

Determined to realize his dream, Anthony was unfazed by how he had to first pass a series of interviews and training (which could not have been too appealing, immediately after years of medicine school). From interview to recruitment to training, Anthony had traveled halfway across the world, leaving footprints of ideals in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Denmark and Brussels, amongst other places.

Elsewhere, at another part of the world, a charming and independent woman was also living her dream and making her own journey. She too, was looking to make a difference in humanity in the way she can. She too, had to travel to places, such as Barcelona, Athens and Germany to be prepared for the huge role before arriving at the destination.

Each armed with the ambition to help rebuild the healthcare facilities of countless earthquake victims and giving them another chance at life, the two met in Kashmir.

It was love at the first sight. Anthony was immediately mesmerized by Pia’s beautiful eyes. A former ballroom dance king in the university himself, Anthony was no stranger to the dance of courtship. Alas, he could not waltz Pia the way he would have wanted, being in a place of conservative culture and shouldering heavy responsibilities at the same time. The circumstances made the blooming of their romance in the cold of winter more difficult. Regardless, the two had found each other in the most unlikely place on earth; at the most unlikely time of their lives – finding the most unexpected, yet the most meaningful treasure.

That was the prelude to the story of Pia and Anthony. I had the privilege to witness and record the mark of the new beginning of their journey together. So this should be an adequate point to put down my pen and draw my canvas…