To fall in love with someone and meet the right one is not always the same. Rarely does an individual find both in one person & to those who do, what’s the price they can pay to make it work?
“Eternal Bond” by Rajiv R Nair is the narration of a boy who falls in love with the right one. However, the cost the couple has to pay to make their relationship work is to walk past the belief system their parents have raised them with until then.
Chapter I
“Aashritha!” called out Arjun from his room, “It’s already half-past nine, and you’re still lying on the bed!”
Arjun just got out of the shower and started putting on his clothes, getting ready for his thesis presentation. It was a bright morning, and Arjun was excited for the day, and he was confident about his thesis and intended to make it an unforgettable day.
Chapter II
Three weeks after moving together:
Aashritha shouted way above her voice, “Arjun! What’s taking you so long?”
As he stepped out of the house, Arjun explained, “I am on my way, babe. I just wanted to carry the umbrella just in case it rains.”
Chapter III
Two years ago.
Arjun and Aashritha were invited by Vivek, their mutual friend, to his birthday. Though they took a few courses together, Arjun and Aashritha haven’t met yet.
Surprisingly, Vivek told Arjun that he only invited the two of them as he lived with his distant relatives and didn’t intend to invite everyone. Since Arjun knew Vivek’s place, he gave him Aashritha’s number and asked him to coordinate with her.
Chapter IV
Six months into the relationship:
Arjun and Aashritha planned to go on a trek to a spot sought by the adventure seekers. They prepared everything they might need during their tour by purchasing the necessary shoes, compass, map, and first aid kit while also preparing food alongside taking water with them.
After many days, this trek was their first outing, and both were excited to have a good time. Both met with the organisers, seeking their permission to trek alone and not with the group. Though they get an acceptance, they are informed of the safe passages and the necessary precautions before they leave the group in their pursuit of trying to figure out things in the adventure.
Chapter V
It was a rainy day, and Aashritha had been home all day while Arjun attended his classes. Around six in the evening, it stopped raining, and Aashritha badly wanted to have a coffee in their favourite cafe alongside talking with someone for hours.
Even though Arjun and Aashritha have been roommates for close to a year now, they never got to talk with each other except for their little dates in the Bradley Cafe near their apartment.
Chapter VI
One year into the relationship:
Arjun was contemplating telling his parents about his year-long relationship with Aashritha. It was a gloomy day, and Arjun had a huge fix since he was from a decent middle-class Indian Hindu family.
There were rules for everything, and everyone in the family had to follow them strictly, just like their predecessors. There wasn’t a compromise ever in the past, nor is there hope for change in the future. These rules and procedures remained unchanged for generations, and with every passing day, the belief that changing or breaking these unspoken yet strictly obeyed rules would bring ill health and bad luck to the entire family.
Chapter VII
“Hey, Arjun? Should I come along to your party?” asked Aashritha as she knocked on his door.
Applying his deodorant, Arjun replied, “Yes, Ash. I need you to come along with me as my date. I know it would be tough for you but think of me. I’d suffer more because you know I don’t like crowds but still have to be there.”
Chapter VIII
A few days after the graduation party:
Arjun was in his room setting up all his documents and organising his closets on a bright Saturday morning. His room had proper ventilation, and the summers were beautiful due to ample sunlight and fresh air.
Settling on his bed, Arjun continued to go through a bunch of papers, including everything from official documents, project materials, notes, slips, and bills gathered from all corners of the room. Categorising each piece, Arjun decided to pass on his notes to his juniors for those willing to take them, and as he continued his tedious task, he heard two knocks on the door.
Chapter IX
In time, Arjun finally mustered the courage to call his parents to inform them about his relationship. He wanted to see how they would take things. So one morning, he called home to find out that his mother was busy doing puja, and his father informed him that she would call him later.
When he insisted that he wished to talk, his mother stopped her prayer and agreed to speak with him. Since his dad was already present in the discussion, he took a deep breath before starting. Making up the first statement in his mind, Arjun hesitated.
Chapter X
Aashritha’s home landline rang, and as soon as her mom picked up the call, she instructed, “Mom, I want everyone at home to listen to our conversation.”
Her mom did as told. While listening to the background noise, Aashritha realised the speaker was on and said, “Hi everybody, I just wanted to let you know that I am in a relationship with a middle-class Hindu guy called Arjun, and I am planning to get settled with him. I want this to be the best thing in my life, and I will be pleased if you guys will accept our decision to live our lives together.”
Chapter XI
Starting the next day, Arjun began to talk to his parents again but was out of luck. After several calls, he felt all the heat from them and was frustrated. Leaving for a walk and then to Bradleys for a coffee, Arjun wished to wipe his mind clean but couldn’t. He gave up and returned home but was too tired to make dinner, so he just went to bed.
The next day didn’t get better either. Arjun just sat idle, doing nothing, looking at the curtains, the walls, and the plans that Aashritha had curated and stuck to the walls in their rooms. His eyes fleetingly went to the areas where it was written, “Milan - Berlin - India - Milan - Greece -Milan - Prague - Vienna - Budapest - Bratislava - Ljubljana - Vaduz - Milan.”
Chapter XII
The time has come, and it is a make-it-or-break-it situation for Arjun. He and Aashritha flew down to India and were outside his parent’s house. He hesitantly knocks on the door, and his mom opens the door. As a reflex action, he goes for the hug, realising that his father is watching from behind.
They both walk inside, and Arjun takes the blessings of his parents by bowing to them and touching their feet. When he gets up, to his surprise, Aashritha is also doing the same.
Ten years and fifty souvenirs from thirty countries later, I look back at my decision to stick with my then-girlfriend and now wife Aashritha when my whole life was in turmoil and a hot soup.
The journey was happy and wonderful with two kids, and she never ceased to amaze me with her clarity of thinking and the ability to plan things inexplicably. My two kids are into football, and graphic designing. Both of them work for the community and earn their living unless they require expensive gifts from their Microbiology-professor father.
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