Love in Naroda-Patiya, now reunion in Mumbai

It's a real-life love saga, unbelievable enough to inspire reel-life versions: love ke liye conversion, forced separation, abortion and, fin...

It’s a real-life love saga, unbelievable enough to inspire reel-life versions: love ke liye conversion, forced separation, abortion and, finally, a reunion. Throw in a forced remarriage of the girl, threats to the boy’s life and the girl’s escape from her second husband’s home, and the tale is too fast-paced even by Bollywood standards.

The love story of Reema Sompura, 18, and Anthony Rebello, 25, that began at Naroda-Patiya is still unfolding. After a secret wedding in February, the couple got separated — he hiding in Mumbai, she with her relatives in Ahmedabad.

In between, Reema, four-month pregnant, alleges she was forced to have an abortion, tricked into marrying a person 14 years older, spent a few days at her second husband Bhavesh Sompura’s house, from where she escaped to Mumbai late last month.

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‘‘Main dar rahi thi, par kya karoon, mujhe Antu (Anthony) ke paas jaana tha (I was scared but wanted to be with Antony),’’ she told The Indian Express over phone from Mumbai on Saturday.

On May 27, she boarded a bus to Ahmedabad and, the next morning, got on to a train to Mumbai Central where Anthony was waiting to receive her. ‘‘I was sure she would come back,’’ Anthony said.