Sunday Story "My Live-in Sasuraal" Final Episode One year later

“Oh, come on, Savi. Get ready soon!” Badi Chachi chided Savi, the only teenage girl in the family.

“I want to look the best, Mummy. I know it is an intimate wedding and not a grand function. But still, I want to look good in the wedding album photos.” Savi justified and continued dabbing compact powder on her cheeks.

Badi Chachi shook her head in irritation while glaring at her disapprovingly, and shuffled to the living room where almost everyone was ready.

“I can’t believe that Aakash and Anika are getting married today. I remember the day when she entered our house to live with us. I was tense, if she doesn’t like us, she might never marry Aakash and he would be hurt and unmarried the rest of his life.” Akash’s mother, Vaishali whispered cheerfully in Badi Chachi’s ear, who did not seem to be pleased on the auspicious wedding day.

“But what was the use of the live-in system when they wanted to stay in Bengaluru for the next three years?” Badi Chachi exclaimed with a big frown on her face and added with a smirk, “And anyways, Akash has purchased a flat in Mumbai? So, even if they settle in the city, they won’t live with us.” 😏

Vaishali disliked the look and words of Badi Chachi and so, she explained with a grudge, “I’m happy that they are getting married. They will be together most of the time. That’s what I wanted - Akash to be happy with his life partner.”

While the ladies squabbled over the kids’ choices, the men seemed to be perfectly fine with the intimate wedding arrangement.

“It is a good thing that they decided to opt for a small wedding function and nothing huge. They will be investing in the flat. I really think it is a good decision. Real estate matters most than inviting people we hardly know.” Akash’s father, Santoshji squeaked happily as he loved how Akash had become particular with finances because of Anika’s influence.

“And we won’t be spending more time welcoming visitors but enjoying quality time with our family and relatives.” Bade Chacha added.

Chhote Chacha assisted Akash to get ready for the wedding function in his room, accompanied by Manav.

“Nervous?” Manav asked when Akash gazed at himself in the mirror.

“Yeah. But I feel I was more nervous on the day when Anika entered the house to live in.” He quipped chirpily.

“And how was your live-in without sasuraal in Bengaluru? You both must have loved the ‘we-time.’” Chhote Chacha asked with a mischievous, broad smile on his face. 😍

“It was my first time staying far from the family. But surprisingly, Anika missed the people over here. After a while, she said she was bored having the full house to herself. She wanted more people to talk to. Can you believe it? It was Anika, the girl who said that she was unsure about living with my family after marriage. The one who was willing to reject my proposal because of the joint family system.” He cracked up, recollecting Anika’s version a year and a half ago.

“But don’t say that to her. She might feel that she has changed altogether after being in a relationship with you. You know, women empowerment and all.” Manav warned him sternly and Akash gathered his thoughts.

“Oh yes, once I said to her, ‘You have changed.’ My god! She fumed up and demanded me an explanation.”

While the young men in the house were talking about the past live-in system, Anika was at her house with her family, and of course, her bestie, Shruti. Anika was dolled up in a beautiful, salmon-coloured lehenga and jewelry that made her look like a princess. 

“My joy knew no bounds when you got a transfer to Bengaluru along with Akash. I’m not saying that your in-laws are not nice people, but you need a breathing space, beta.” Anika’s mother said indignantly and continued with her anti-in-laws banter.

Anika was dejected when she heard her mother say that. She wanted to argue but didn’t wish to spoil the most important day in her life. She wasn’t completely in agreement with her in-laws, they had their own set of agreements and disagreements. But she didn’t hate them either.

“Mom, Akash and I had decided to marry and live together, no matter what. It doesn’t matter whether it is living with in-laws or not, what matters is how much we respect ourselves. You have always taught me that I need to respect and love myself, only then I can love the world. I think I have learnt this lesson in my own way.” She smiled and embraced her mother tightly.

Tears welled up in Anika’s mother’s eyes, “When you were at their house, I always feared that you would forget me. You might change completely and return to me as a kid I never knew before, and would love your MIL more than your mother. See, I had been the most insecure person.” She smiled a teary smile and released Anika from her embrace.

“No, Aunty. It is normal to feel that. Even partners feel it sometimes in a relationship.” Shruti mumbled after seeing the mother-daughter reminiscing about their happy moments.

“I bet it must be you thinking that Manav will change if he finds a better-looking girl,” Anika asked her best friend in a threatening manner.

The wedding function was intimate, and only 100 people were invited – close friends and relatives. Some of them already knew about the live-in with sasuraal system, and so, they attended the event with blended feelings of curiosity and excitement.

Akash and Anika moved to Bengaluru because of job reasons. But they visited their families in Mumbai every year. No one seemed to be annoyed with their decision or change in life situations, but Badi Chachi showed her disagreement a couple of times, but the others simply ignored her.

Anika and Akash lived happily together and forever - with sasuraal in Mumbai and without sasuraal in Bengaluru! 👫❤️

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