Sometimes it takes courage to follow your heart. Sometimes it takes even more courage to hear “no” and walk away.
That was exactly what happened to an Indian vlogger who recently made headlines after flying thousands of kilometres to Indonesia, hoping to turn his online friendship into a love story.
From social media chats to real-life meeting
The vlogger had often interacted with an Indonesian woman on social media, believing there was something special between them.
Their regular chats gave him the confidence to think their connection was real, so much so that he decided to take a leap of faith.
Instead of just keeping the friendship online, he booked a ticket and travelled nearly 5,000 kilometres, determined to meet her in person.
A bold proposal
When the long-awaited meeting finally happened, the woman welcomed him warmly.
For him, it felt like the start of something new. For her, it was just meeting a friend from the internet.
But then came the unexpected twist. The vlogger suddenly pulled out a ring and asked:
Will you marry me?”
At first, the woman was stunned and unsure of how to respond. But once she realised what was happening, she quickly gave her answer: “No”
The reason behind her rejection
While the rejection might have seemed harsh, the vlogger later explained that it was tied to cultural traditions rather than personal dislike.
The woman is said to be from the Baduy tribe, an indigenous group in Indonesia with strict marital customs. Netizens pointed out that she belongs to the Outer Baduy, who are more open to outsiders, but many women still marry within their own community.
This, according to the vlogger, was why she turned him down.
Netizens react with sympathy and criticism
Netizens across platforms shared their thoughts, and reactions were mixed.
Some sympathised with the vlogger, praising his courage and saying it took guts to cross borders for love.
But others were less forgiving, calling the move unrealistic and warning against rushing into proposals with someone you only know online.
As one commenter put it, grand gestures might feel romantic, but they don’t replace genuine understanding and compatibility.
Watch the video here:
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