Philippines woman to wed Bundi grocer after 14-year-long Facebook friendship

Kota: The captivating love story of 40-year-old Mukesh Sharma, a grocer, and 34-year-old Merry Ann B Dedicatoria from Cebu City, Philippines, has become the talk of the town in Bundi city. The couple, who are yet to be married, are preparing for their nuptials according to Hindu traditions while simultaneously navigating the legal procedures to formalise their union and extend the foreign spouse’s one-month tourist visa.
Merry, who has completed her senior secondary education and previously worked as an orchestra dancer, currently holds a position as a nursery class tutor in Saudi Arabia. She embarked on a journey to India and arrived in Bundi last week to unite with Mukesh Sharma, the owner of a grocery shop in Bundi’s Shiv Colony.
Mukesh and Merry met on Facebook (now Meta) 14 years ago in 2010, when Mukesh sent Merry a friend request on the social media platform, which she accepted, marking the beginning of their online correspondence. Their connection remained platonic for the following three years until Mukesh mustered the courage to propose, and Merry reciprocated his feelings.
Merry said it was her initiative to insist on a video call to finally see Mukesh after three years and a month of chatting on Facebook. Mukesh agreed to the video call but requested a 15-minute delay, which he later admitted was to remove his long beard and mustache.

From the moment they laid eyes on each other during the video call, they felt an instant connection, and their relationship blossomed through regular video calls and chats over the next 11 years. Eventually, Merry made the decision to fly to India and reach Bundi to marry Mukesh.
Mukesh expressed his astonishment upon learning of Merry's impending arrival in India and Bundi, as it would be their first in-person meeting after 14 years of virtual communication. He personally traveled to Mumbai Airport to welcome her on June 12.

Since their arrival in Bundi on Friday, June 14, the couple has been inundated with greetings and dinner invitations from relatives and friends. Amidst the legal formalities, they are preparing to solemnise their wedding according to Hindu traditions, surrounded by family members and loved ones.