Threads of Tradition: Tales Of Indian Arranged Marriages

6.

The warmth of Diwali had left a comforting trace on my heart, but as the days passed, the reality of our life in London began to sink in. Devansh’s work took over more and more of his time, with long hours and occasional late-night meetings. His increasing commitments left me alone in our apartment more often than I was used to.

I had started off strong with my freelance project at the architectural firm, but the limited scope meant I found myself with too much free time. Back in Jodhpur, I was always surrounded by family, friends, or engaged with my work. Here, the city’s vibrant energy seemed to pass me by as I navigated my daily routines alone.

The contrast between our lives was starting to weigh on me. Devansh, who had once promised to be home more often, was now working harder than ever. Though I understood the pressures he faced, his absence created a growing distance between us. The loneliness I felt during those quiet evenings was beginning to feel suffocating.

One Friday evening, as I sat alone on the balcony, staring at the London skyline, the city sparkled with life below me, but I felt completely detached from it. The chill in the air nipped at my skin, but I stayed outside, feeling the solitude close in.

When Devansh finally came home that night, it was well past midnight. I was still on the balcony, wrapped in a shawl. He was visibly exhausted, loosening his tie as he joined me.

“Hey,” he said softly, sitting down beside me. “I’m sorry I’m so late again.”

I glanced at him, my heart heavy with unspoken words. “It’s becoming a pattern, Devansh.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know, and I hate that it’s affecting us. Work is crazy right now with the London office expanding. I didn’t expect things to get this hectic.”

“I understand that,” I said quietly, my gaze still fixed on the city. “But I didn’t expect to feel so alone. Adjusting to everything as it is, and with you always working, it feels like we’re living in two different worlds.”

Devansh turned to me, regret evident in his expression. “I didn’t realize it was this bad. I thought you were adjusting to your work and that we’d figure things out. But clearly, I’ve been blind to what you’re going through.”

“It’s not that I don’t understand your responsibilities,” I said. “I know how important your work is. But I moved here to build a life with you, and right now, it doesn’t feel like we’re building anything together. We’re just drifting.”

His words hung heavy between us, a truth neither of us could ignore.

Devansh sat silently for a moment, processing my words. He knew I was right. The demands of his job had overshadowed everything else, and while he had hoped I’d adjust to London life easily, he hadn’t realized how isolated I felt.

“I’m sorry, Paridhi,” he said softly. “I never wanted you to feel this way. I’ve been so caught up in work that I’ve neglected us, and that’s not fair to you. We moved here to start a life together, and I’ve been failing at that.”

I looked at him, frustration and sadness mingling in my eyes. “I don’t need grand gestures or constant attention. I just need to feel like we’re in this together.”

Devansh reached out and took my hand. “I hear you. I promise I’ll do better. We’ll find a way to balance everything. You’re the most important part of my life, and I don’t want you to feel like you’re second to my job.”

I nodded, appreciating his sincerity. “I know it won’t happen overnight, but I need to see that effort, Devansh. I need to know you’re willing to prioritize us.”

“I am,” he said, squeezing my hand gently. “Starting now.”

The next few weeks saw a gradual shift in our dynamic. Devansh made a conscious effort to come home earlier when possible, and we started carving out time for each other, even if it was just a quiet dinner or a walk in the park. I noticed his efforts, and though our lives were still busy, I felt more connected to him.

Despite these small improvements, I continued to struggle with finding my place in London. The freelance project was fulfilling, but it didn’t completely fill the void I felt. I missed the sense of community from Jodhpur, the ease of reaching out to friends and family whenever I needed. In London, everything seemed more distant and formal.

One afternoon, while exploring a local café near our apartment, I struck up a conversation with Sarah, a fellow architect. She had overheard me discussing my project on the phone. Intrigued by our shared profession, Sarah introduced herself, and we quickly bonded over our love for design.

Sarah invited me to a networking event for female architects, and despite my hesitation, I decided to go. The event turned out to be just what I needed. Surrounded by women from all over the world, each with their own stories of moving to London and building their careers, I felt a sense of belonging I hadn’t experienced in weeks. I exchanged contact information with several women and left the event feeling uplifted.

When I returned home that evening, my spirits were high. I shared the experience with Devansh, who was thrilled to see me so happy.

“That’s amazing,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m glad you’re finding your way.”

“I still have a long way to go,” I admitted. “But it feels good to connect with people who understand what I’m going through. It makes this city feel a little less intimidating.”

As the days turned into weeks, I continued to build my network in London, slowly finding my place in the bustling metropolis. Devansh and I worked on our relationship, learning to communicate better and make time for each other despite our busy lives.

Though there were still moments of distance, we were no longer drifting. We were moving forward together, building something new in this foreign city—a life uniquely ours.

In the quiet moments, when we sat together on the balcony watching the London skyline, I felt a peace that had eluded me before. It wasn’t the same as the life I had left behind in Jodhpur, but it was becoming something beautiful—something we were creating together, step by step, across borders and boundaries.

It was our new beginning.