Mohit and Ghazala had eloped to get married in December 2013.
It was their kidney transplants that had brought together Mohit and Gazala. The donors - their mothers. "The ones who gave us life are now after our lives," they say today.
Mohit and Ghazala had eloped to get married in December 2013, roughly 18 months after they met at the Ahmedabad-based civil hospital. Originally from Rajasthan, the two have now taken refuge in Ahmedabad, with an advocate, Rajendra Shukla, who also runs a non-profit.
"Over the last two years, we have had to change at least half-a-dozen houses, fearing we would be killed," said Mohit, who belongs to a traditional Brahmin family from Rajasthan's Ajmer district. "We were tormented... her uncle, my brothers, some common friends, all got together to track us down ... they started threatening us with dire consequences.
"We have fallen in love. It is not crime. They need to understand," said Gazala, who is from Rajsamand town. Her father works in Kuwait with a private company.
The two plan to take up jobs in Ahmedabad - the cost of their medical treatment is substantial.
"Since the transplants, they need around Rs 15,000 a month for medicines. Food and other expenses take up another 10,000," said Mr Shukla, who has written to the state government for assistance. "If need be, we will approach the court for help."
But getting a job may not be easy. A graduate, Gazala had to drop out of her BEd course due to relentless stress and bad health. Mohit, 26, has a passion for photography, but he is a drop-out from school.
"The ones who gave us life are now after our lives... we just want them to be happy and let us be happy," said Gazala.