Sunday Story "My Live-in Sasuraal" Season 1 - Episode 2 - An unusual live-in proposal

(Don't forget to catch up on Episode 1 - Joint or Nuclear family? before you read ahead)

It had been a week since Aakash had confessed his deep, true feelings towards Anika but she seemed to be in a perplexed state.

“Oh, come on! Accept his love. Don’t start visualizing your relationship how it will be twenty years later. Live in the moment.” Shruti had turned into a motivational speaker for Anika, for a change.

“You know about his family. They are in huge numbers. Almost 10 people in a single house. How am I going to adjust? Aakash is a typical guy. I really have feelings for him, but I don’t think I have a future with him.” Anika shared the thoughts that rolled in her mind since days.  

“Are you going to reject his proposal for one small reason?” Shruti asked in irritation.

“This small reason could turn into a hurricane. You have already experienced how things dwell in a joint family and while staying with in-laws. I have always lived in a nuclear family with my parents. I don’t have siblings. And I don’t wish to be a stereotypical, accommodating daughter-in-law who receives accolades for her calm and obedient behavior.” Anika answered sarcastically.

“It hurts. No one likes to be that stereotypical person. You will understand the pain when you get married. You will yourself volunteer to become that person you never wanted to be. It is a part of life - sustaining a relationship and being happy.”

Anika pursed her lips and smiled a brave smile. “I am going to say ‘no.’ He is a good guy, no doubts. Any girl would be lucky to have him. But our paths are different.”

Shruti didn’t like her gesture, but she didn’t oppress her violently. Instead, she patted her back and consoled her, “I know it is not easy for you. You have found a great friend after a long time. I could see the chemistry between you two. But I suggest discussing with him once, instead of rejecting him flatly. Maybe, you can come up with a good solution that is convenient for both of you.”

“Shruts, you know how he is! And you know me!” She exclaimed like a kid while talking to her childhood buddy. She added, “He is never going to leave his family, and I am not dropping my ego.”

                                                            -x-

Though Anika was flustered with her friend’s suggestion of having a meaningful conversation with Aakash, she tried to cool her senses and meet him at their usual restaurant.

“Hi!” She greeted him politely. He had disclosed his feelings for her, so there was a reason to feel a bit awkward. They could feel the uneasiness between them, yet they managed to strike a healthy conversation.

“Hey, you…you are looking pretty!” He remarked, realizing that she was dolled up.

“Thanks.” She blushed.

After a short small talk, Aakash opened up the conversation and tried to make her feel comfortable.

“You can openly share your thoughts on our relationship. Maybe, you must not be having any feelings for me, but that’s okay. This is not the first time that I will get rejected.” He bit his lip, realizing he had been too comfortable with her.

“Shruti thinks that we need to give a chance to our relationship. She thinks we are perfect. We have differing thoughts and opinions about marriage, but we can still be in a long-term relationship. She feels that I have never bonded well with a guy before you. She predicts that we share a mutual connection and we need to give it a chance.”

Aakash stared at her in disbelief. He had asked about her opinions, and she had shared Shruti’s complete perspective on their current and future relationship. He cleared his throat and said sternly, “So, this is what Shruti thinks, feels and predicts!”

She nodded her head with a bright smile on her face.

“And what do you think? I want to know more about your opinions because I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Anika glanced at him and lowered her head coyly. She loved to hear what he had mentioned and expressed, but she was unsure about their future together.

So, she smiled bitterly and said, “I don’t think we should continue. We are great. I really like you more than as a friend. But I don’t see a future as a couple. A happy couple! You want different things, a girl who is accommodating and obeying your family. And I am someone who wants to start a new family and not stay with in-laws. So…”

“This is the reason you are rejecting a wonderful relation we share?” He asked bluntly. “We could have discussed but you are straightaway friend-zoning me…”He complained.

“I am not friend-zoning. I simply don’t feel comfortable to live with in-laws.”

Aakash was quiet for a second. Though he appeared calm, Anika knew that there was a fierce battle of thoughts in his mind and he was brainstorming with several solutions.

“We will have a separate room. Only for two of us. We live in a huge house, Anika.” He defended.

“But it will be still the same house.” She expressed her opinion.

“Okay, how about you meet my parents today? I bet your opinion will change. They are cool. My father is friendlier with my friends than me. And my mother, she always wanted a girl and she would love to have you.”

“Aakash, it is your point of view. After a while, your parents and I will have a different set of opinions over a particular thing. It is going to be adjustments, compromises and sacrifices, and nothing else.”

Aakash rubbed his forehead, straining his brain to convince her in all ways.

“I seriously think we should call it quits…it is not going anywhere. We…” She began to conclude their meeting and was about to pay the bill.

“Let us live-in together.” He jumped in excitement.

“So, you are ready for a live-in before marriage but post-marriage, you want me to live in with your in-laws?” Anika asked with knitted brows.

“No. A live-in with my family before marriage!” He exclaimed.

Anika was speechless to hear his unusual suggestion.

What happens next? Read the next part of the story here!