A MAN will go to great lengths for love.
That’s why Navneel Sen walked for 3km in torrential rain. He also swam across floodwaters three times just to get to Filomena Diyasa.
Early this week, the love birds got officially engaged at Kelikoso Village, Macuata, in true iTaukei tradition called ilakovi.
The pair, who never knew they lived in the same district of Nubu, met on Facebook seven years ago, while Filo was studying in Suva.
Within three months their virtual friendship bloomed into a romance.
This year, Navneel, a Nabutubutu farmer, decided to make his move on the Kelikoso, Macuata lass.
“I knew Filo was the one for me because she is beautiful in and out, and is always caring, polite and loyal,” he said.
“We spent seven years just getting to know each other. There were ups and downs along the way but we remained faithful. We knew the time was right to take our friendship to another level.”
To ask for his sweetheart’s hand in marriage, Sen presented six tabua (whales tooth) to Filo’s family.
“I wanted to demonstrate to Filo’s family that she is precious to me and I value and respect her and her family.”
Filo said she felt honoured and special when Navneel and his side arrived at her house and observed Macuata traditional protocol associated with the ilakovi.
“I was quite emotional throughout the presentation. I thank Navneel and his family for showing respect to my family and for making sure he observed my culture and traditions. What more can I say?
“He first came home a few months after we started seeing each other. He presented yaqona to tell my parents that we were dating, many iTaukei boys don’t even do that. My parents were impressed and have treated him like their own son.”
All for love…Navneel and Filomena. Picture: JT PHOTOGRAPHY
