Sunday Story "My Live-in Sasuraal" Season 2 - Episode 5

Here's the link to previous episode, Episode 4: Financial assistance or compensation?

Daadi had called Anika in her room for a short discussion about the recent happenings. She wanted to know more about Anika’s future plans regarding marriage and whether the current system was a serious concern or just an ‘experiment’ for her. Daadi was in her late 70s, and she spent most of her time in her room. She was fragile but interacted with everyone in the house.

“We never had such things in our days. It will be wrong to say that. We never had smartphones and TVs but we use them anyway now.” Daadi said with a toothless smile. “For us, marriage was like getting stuck on an island or in a forest with a stranger. You can’t escape from that place and you have to adjust with the person whom you are stuck with. No helicopter, ship or army can arrive for your rescue. But slowly and gradually, you fall in love with that place and that stranger. It becomes a sweet story like the movie..you know…in which Aamir and Juhi are stuck in a forest …” 💏

“Qayamat se qayamat tak?” Anika guessed it right, feeling a bit amused.

“I simply loved that movie.” Daadi exclaimed joyfully. “We had our own struggles with a tint of romance. But things are different for your generation. Now, you have the privilege of living with strangers on that island and you are also sure that someone will arrive for your rescue if things go wrong. Isn’t it?” She continued with a skeptical stare at Anika.

“Daadi, it is not what you are thinking. I am not doing it as a trial. I am doing it because I want things to work out and I am hopeful about Akash.” Anika tried to explain herself as if she was in a court session.

“So, how is it going for you? Are you still hopeful about Akash?” Daadi asked humorously.

“Of course, I am. He has been with me all times. Whenever I had any kind of issue with someone in the house, he was with me and didn’t prefer to listen to songs on the terrace.” She broke into a laugh and Daadi joined her too.

After a while, she was stern and quiet and added, “But I think it is too soon to decide or finalize our relationship. It has been only one month. My friend, Shruti has been suggesting going for marriage and finalizing our relationship, but I don’t want to rush things. Everything is happening so sweetly; let me soak in it for a while. Once I become the official daughter-in-law, I won’t get the privilege to be in this unusual relationship na.”

Daadi smiled and asked in a funny tone, “Do you like pickles? You like to have fun till you are immersed in it.”

Anika nodded and waited for Daadi to announce a serious decision. But Daadi was not affected by Anika’s waiting period. Instead, she showed a green signal.

“I can’t force you to make any decision, beta. Nor your parents are allowed to do so. But we are there to guide you. So, if you are uncomfortable or face any issue, you can talk to me or your parents. Elders will guide you, advise you and be there for you emotionally. But they can’t write the decisions in your life. It is finally up to you.”

                                                            -x-

After a meaningful conversation with Daadi, Anika and Akash went for a date, but informed at home about their outing beforehand.

“Sometimes, it feels like someone is waiting for us at the door lovingly and knows about our whereabouts. Or else it feels like an obligation to comply with.” Anika said with a mixed expression.

“You do not like it?” Akash asked with concern.

“Imagine us living in a separate house. We don’t have to inform anyone and can plan as per our schedule.” She added, ignoring his question.

“So, you do not like it. You hate this.” He assumed with a grumpy face. 🙄

“I am simply sharing the two sides of the coin. I am not liking or disliking anything. This is not an Instagram page.” She cracked a joke.

“Yes. It is pretty soon to figure things out. We still need to take more time to figure out how things will work. We live in a house, but we don’t live in one room. So, we still do not know each other well.” He winked.

“Are you really bothered about that thing? ‘Physical quotient?’ of a couple?” She asked with a frown. 

“I am kidding. It is not about physical intimacy that matters with a happy couple. It is also about sharing spaces and emotional intimacy.” He responded flatly.

When they reached home, they talked in the kitchen for a while as no ladies were present. Suddenly, Anika leaned closer to Akash and kissed him on his cheek.

“See, that’s what we can do easily when we don’t live in a huge family.” She suggested sweetly.

Akash knew she wasn’t in a serious mood, and so, he took it in amusement. “We can still do this in a joint family. Chori chupke se. That’s the fun part of this traditional system. It adds spice to our romantic lives.” Saying so, he grabbed her and pulled in his arms.

But they heard someone clearing their throat. It was Bade Chacha, dressed in his nightwear, holding an empty water bottle jug.

“What’s going on here?” He asked in a loud yet threatening whisper as if Akash and Anika were college-going students, fooling around in the corridor.

“Nothing. We were just talking about..” Akash mumbled. He had released Anika from his arms when he heard the voices.

“I know what’s going on, understand? See, I know you are young but you are mature enough to understand this. What if Shivam and Savi spot you?”

“Chacha, they know that we are a couple. We hardly find time to meet each other. We spend time in a café or at the mall but there is no privacy at all.” Akash explained apologetically.

“Okay. Okay.” Chacha sought a complete idea of the situation. 👨‍🏫 “I will ask Daadi if you both can move in the same room. Anyways, it is better if Shivam and Savi don’t see you in this way, and leave certain things to their imagination.” He cleared his throat again and returned to his room without filling up the water bottle.

Akash and Anika stared at each other, exclaiming, “Wow!” 😇