The North-South Love Saga

Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh

How can I summarize the whirlwind of emotions that is my love life? It's a journey that continues to unfold even after the wedding bells have rung.

Immediately after our wedding, we traveled to Dehradun, where I had my first interactions with Vardaan's extended family. Coming from a nuclear family background, the experience of being in a joint family was a stark contrast for me. My father-in-law's siblings lived in close proximity to one another, forming a large joint family. Adjusting to this new dynamic was challenging, but I found solace in the presence of Riya and Maa. They became my pillars of strength in this unfamiliar world.

I received candid feedback about the way I spoke, walked, talked, and dressed. This was something I was unaccustomed to. I was an exuberant individual who would run around carelessly, while the other women exuded poise and grace. The patriarchal nature of the setup was difficult for me to digest, as Vardaan hadn't prepared me enough for it. I was a sensitive soul who felt bruised by the slightest negative remark. However, Vardaan, Riya, Maa, and even Papa (my father-in-law) accepted me exactly as I was. They had no desire to change me in any way. They embraced me as one of their own. Gradually, the other family members warmed up to me as well. They may have found me peculiar, but ultimately, they accepted me.

On Maa's side of the family, the atmosphere was a complete contrast to Papa's side. Everyone, from hauma (grandmother) and haupa (grandfather) to mamaji (uncle), maiju (aunt), and Lovely Aunty, was easygoing. The kids—Pupul, Nanu, Ken, Aisha, and Mishti—welcomed me with open arms. I instantly fell in love with all of them! Choti Mishti captured my heart from the moment I met her. I cherished both sides of Vardaan's family and felt incredibly fortunate to be a part of such a loving and accepting clan.

The day of our Dehradun reception arrived, and my sister-in-law Riya took charge of dressing me up. She skillfully did my hair and makeup, making me look even more stunning than I had on my wedding day. Papa urged us to hurry to the venue, but Riya hadn't finished getting ready as she had been busy tending to me. I insisted, "We will wait for Riya, Papa. I don't want to go without her." I'm not sure what he thought of me in that moment, but I was content knowing that we could go to the venue together, with Riya by our side.

My family had also flown down from Hyderabad to attend the reception. After the ceremony, they embarked on sightseeing trips around Dehradun. Unfortunately, my pinni (aunt) developed a severe gall bladder stone and had to return to Hyderabad immediately. Thankfully, she recovered a few days later.

Following the wedding, I ceased running away from my parents and instead engaged in open and honest conversations with them. As a result, I now feel closer to them than ever before. My sister and I have become best friends. My parents wholeheartedly embraced Vardaan as their own son. I couldn't help feeling a tinge of jealousy as my dad grew partial to Vardaan. I wanted my dad all to myself. But now, Vardaan and I were a package deal. I had to make peace with it and be grateful that he was finally loved and accepted.

Both sets of parents visited us from time to time. However, I had no clue how to be a wife, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law all at once. I grappled with managing household chores, stabilizing my emotions, and keeping my priorities in check. There were instances where my naivety disappointed or hurt my in-laws, but I am learning on the job. Hopefully, I'll improve with time.

My story does not culminate in a "happily ever after" moment at this stage. Each day of my life is a new beginning. Vardaan and I still encounter our fair share of differences and arguments, but we always find a way to reconcile. There is still so much we don't know about each other, and we continue to discover new facets of our personalities each day. The past two and a half years of my marriage have been an exhilarating ride, and yet, I often feel as though I'm hardly married. It's as if I've known Vardaan for a lifetime, maybe even in a past life. Who knows?