Ananya and Rohan’s Decade-Long Love Story Finds Its Fairytale Ending in Oman

There is something so soft about a love story that is built on a foundation of friendship. While everyone wishes for a ‘friends to lovers’ trope, only a few ever have the chance to experience a love like that. And Ananya and Rohan’s love story was one such. Taking a page from all the rom-coms that base their plotlines on the friends-to-lovers trope, Rohan and Ananya’s story began in 2014 at their university in the UK, where a chance meeting quietly unfolded into something rather enduring. 

What started as a friendship soon became the centre of their worlds. Over the years, their relationship was shaped by distance, time zones, and the kind of uncertainty that tests even the strongest bonds. But they chose each other consistently and consciously.

Talking about their love story and their journey together, the couple shared with Manifest, “We met at the University of Reading, UK, in 2014, being part of the same friend group. We were studying different courses but had similar classes, and it started as a pure friendship that became bigger than us.”

Their first date was anything but usual. “We went to an Italian restaurant in Reading called Dolce Vita, and it was the sweetest thing,” Ananya revealed that Rohan got her flowers, after which they walked by the River Thames at night. “We actually started dating right after, since we already knew each other as friends before, hehe! We’ve been together 10 years now since that night.”

The couple knew within the first year that they were the ones for each other. “We clicked immediately and even though we were young, free and a little wild, we knew this is what we wanted,” they laughed before continuing. “Of course, you don’t know what will happen when you’re only 20, so we never voiced it, but I feel like we knew we wanted this for the rest of our lives.”

One memory from their early days together that Ananya and Rohan keep close to their heart is why they fell in love with each other in the first place. “We always say we fell in love because of our love for exploring.”

Taking a love story to the next steps takes a lot of planning, and when we asked the couple how the proposal happened, Rohan revealed that it was a complete surprise. “Ananya had literally no idea. We would go spend summer days under the sunshine in parks in London, and that was one of our first days together as a couple. We went back to London for a music festival & summer holiday in 2024, and I literally took Ananya to the park, had planned beautiful decor and a photographer, and proposed! Ananya was so taken aback because we’d discussed our future, and it was not timed for that hahah. I proposed with a pink diamond ring, which was sooo unique and Ananya’s favourite colour.”

Their relationship is built on spending fun moments with each other. “We laugh almost every minute we’re together. I mean, supermarket visits and doctor waiting rooms become the most fun experience cause we’re just always chatting and laughing. Also, we love a lot of the same food, music, and travelling, so it's super synced.”

Talking about the most romantic thing they have done for each other, Ananya revealed that Rohan bought her Coldplay tickets to see them in Wembley, London in 2016 for their first Valentine's together, while Rohan shared that Ananya planned a full yacht party for Rohan in Thailand on his bachelor trip. “We also did a bachelor-bachelorette where we spent 3 days with our respective boys and girls and then 1 day together!”

When we talk about planning a wedding, it becomes imperative to have a vision in mind before starting the preparations and Ananya and Rohan knew what they wanted for their big day. “We knew we wanted a beach wedding and a beautiful destination. But Oman seemed so perfect, mountains, beaches and our future home! Being a white wedding, we wanted it to be elegant but also encapsulate the love of friends and family.”

Talking about their wedding aesthetic and style, the couple shared that they combined pink and blue for the ceremony since Ananya loved pink and Rohan loved blue. “Ananya is creative, I am not so much. So, it was mood boards and ideas all around, and then we decided what we just vibed with,” Rohan shared.

The couple revealed that their wedding venue felt like home to them. “Hilton Al Bandar is gorgeous; we’ve holidayed there too. It was an easy choice.”

Talking about their wedding ensembles, the couple shared, “We wanted to go by the theme and what felt most US. We matched in the Sangeet but complemented each other at the Bayside Welcome. So just what felt natural.”

But none of it would be possible without the planners who help them bring their vision to life. The couple reveal that Titan Events, their wedding planners in Oman, were a great help, alongside Rewrite the Stars, their photo and video team, who made this look like a dream they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Every wedding has functions that mean a little extra, and for Ananya and Rohan, it was their white wedding. “We said our vows by the ocean at sunset. It was the most beautiful.”

The couple further shared that Rohan’s dad officiated their wedding, as part of the traditions from their families. “For the father-daughter dance, Ananya and her dad literally just danced. No choreography, nothing, just a party.”

Ananya further shared that Rohan’s entire friend and family group did an 8-song medley flash mob at the reception. “It was insaneeee. Ananya also skipped a bouquet toss and dedicated the bouquet to her mom as a surprise for her.”

And were there any behind-the-scenes moments that only they knew about? The couple shared that after the ceremony, they went up the cliff at sunset and had a set of personal vows for each other. “It was so intimate and the true way they wanted to share that day. (RTS has beautiful content from here!)”

Not just that, Ananya’s Bridesmaids gave Rohan dirty Polaroids of Ananya throughout the wedding day.

When asked if there was anything they would have done differently, the couple said, “Honestly, we wouldn't change a single thing.”

Lastly, the couple advised other couples, “However hard it is, enjoy the process. Don’t lose yourself in the details. Remember how your mom cries when you try on your bridal dress, remember your dad’s words of advice, and seeing your siblings and friends show up for you. It only happens once!”