Sunday Story "My live-in Sasuraal" Season 2 - Episode 1 - The 'New Bride Loneliness' Syndrome

Check out Season 1 of Live-In Sasuraal here

Akash thought that his worries had finally ended. Anika had sought an entry in the house to make the live-in possible. She will try staying with his family, will surely love them, and then, will be ready to marry him (of course, she will be willing to live in his joint family forever). He smiled at himself as he was tidying his bedroom. But Bade Chacha was at the door, ogling at his carefree expressions and trying to figure out his mind chatter  

“Why are you tidying up your room? For Anika?” He asked, pretending to tease Akash, who in turn blushed 😊 at him.

“You are not living together in one room, understand? Daadi has already made arrangements in her adjacent room for Anika. She can stay over there, understand?” 😠

“But this is a live-in...” Akash tried to oppose Chacha; his smile faded instantly from his face and looked grim as if the world was shattered.

“This is a live-in with in-laws. So, you both have to obey what the family is saying. 👊 Understand?”

Bade Chacha had an unusual way of speaking; he would add ‘Understand?’ to each of his sentences. It was because he had been working as an Assistant Professor in a senior college for the last 15 years, and teaching students and making them understand varied concepts of Physics had become his part of life.

Akash’s face turned white. He couldn’t even argue as his demands were certainly subject to ‘parental guidance’ even though he was in his late 20s. With a sour face, he plonked on his bed while his Bade Chacha continued.

“We have young kids in the house. What will Shivam and Savi do if they see you together in a room before marriage? We can’t give such sanskars to our kids.” He sneered and left the room, leaving Akash in a sullen mood. 😔

                                                            -x-

Anika settled down in a tiny room which was adjacent to Daadi’s room. She had a talk with Akash’s grandmother whom she liked a lot.

But as she was unpacking things in a strange house full of unknown people, she felt lonely. She wanted someone to be on her side. She called Akash and asked in a sad tone, “Can you come to my room now? I am not feeling well.”

“Ani, this is not the right time to get romantic. Do I have to remind you where we are?” Akash wondered why Anika was being a romantic soul when she was always a practical person rest the time.

“Akash, I know where I am and that is what is making me sick. You don’t know…what is going on in my mind…” And she began to sob.

Anika never cried. She always wore a badge of a strong, independent woman and she hated tears. 🏋️‍♀️

“Are you crying? Hey, hey, don’t cry, baby.” Akash panicked as he could hear her faint sobs on the phone. “You are living in my house and still I can’t come and meet you.”

“I know you are scared of your family members. You don’t have to come. Anyways, I learnt on my first day that I need to be strong and live on my own.” She answered sarcastically and her sobs disappeared.

“No. Don’t say that. I am not scared. It is just that – they will misinterpret my intentions of visiting your room. Wait. I will come.”

With great difficulty and after dodging his cousin brother and Badi Chachi, he landed in Anika’s room and heaved a sigh. He took her in his embrace and asked how she was feeling.

“I am okay. You didn’t have to come. I said that because I was upset. It didn’t mean anything. I know you are not scared of your family and you love me a lot.”

“Anika, please, don’t say that. I have arrived here after several challenges. At least, respect my effort.”

Anika broke into a laugh and said, “I was feeling lonely. I don’t know why.”

He released her from his embrace and counter-asked with a surprised look on his face, “This house is of around 10 people. And yet, you feel lonely?”

“Don’t take me wrong, Akash. I am staying in a house of 10 strangers. Won’t you feel weird if I tell you to stay with my family?”

Akash thought for a while and groaned in agreement. “Do you want to call your mother? Your father? Or do you want to talk to my mother? You might feel better.”

“No. It is okay. I don’t want to upset anyone.” She answered flatly, dismissing his suggestion.

“If you stay in this room for long, you will feel weird, I bet. Come with me in the living room. Talk to people. Mingle with them. They won’t make you sit alone and bored.” He added it to make her feel better.

“I want you by my side.” She said calmly and it was an unexpected response for Akash. “I am not saying that your family members are not good or they make me feel alone. But you are the only one whom I know and whom I trust for my life.” She had moist eyes and her voice seemed to be heavy. “Please don’t expect me to become an extrovert and an accommodating DIL in the first night. It will take time. I have left my personal space, my home and my family members. Let me first settle with those thoughts. I will mingle with your family, but don’t make this as tough as a first day at the office. It is too hard to take in.”

Akash held her closer, and caressed her hair and back. “I am sorry. I am doing the same thing that our parents do – over expecting from our loved one.” 💑

“Do all newlywed brides feel the same way?” She asked suddenly.

“Hmm..Maybe.” He answered.

After an hour or so, Akash let her sleep and made her feel comfortable. As he was heading towards his room, Bade Chacha spotted him unfortunately. He ogled at Akash with knitted brows which meant ‘kya, kidhar?’

“I wanted to talk to Anika but her phone was not reachable. So, I went to her room. 😝 Her room is near na. I don’t have to travel from Ghatkopar to Matunga now.” Akash explained with a sheepish smile and marched to his room safely.

                                                                      -x-

Everything is already so complicated! Or is it? What will happen next?