Love - A Two-Way Street?

Famous quotes & songs are all about how Love is in the air & all around you. In actuality, Love is like air. One can know its presence & feel it all the time but cannot see. Love is involuntary, like breathing air, even when one is asleep. Love can be incredibly soft & soothing as a morning breeze. Sometimes, it may pass by as a chilly, cloudy, rainy & long cyclone. At times, it may spin into a violent hurricane or tornado, leading to havoc & destruction. Love is hard to catch like air. A heart-shaped Helium balloon manages to capture it. Like Love, a Helium balloon may take one to the top in no time. When the same balloon bursts, it disperses & brings one back to the ground.

The cool morning breeze played with Niyaa's lengthy, thick, curly & bouncy mane. The helmet could only hold & cover on the top; the long hair was at the mercy of speeding air. She enjoyed the long bike ride to college. Though once in a while, she squeezed Arya's shoulder to convey, "Go slow." Arya was a careful rider but never missed an opportunity to take advantage of the clear road. No sooner did they arrive at the college parking lot than Niyaa removed the helmet & shook her head. The curls bounced & braced her face. In a futile attempt, she tried to set it right. Arya said, "Hey, leave it! Messy curls look good." She smiled & stated, "I like curls, but the ride makes it unmanageable." As they pulled out their ID cards from their bags, they walked into the college building.

Niyaa & Arya bumped into Kanika in their block hallway. Kanika greeted them with, "Hello, Love birds! Not bad once in a while you both made it on time to class." Niyaa's eyes popped & said, "Shush! How many times do I have to tell you not to call us that?" Kanika smirked & replied, "The whole college knows about you both. I guess that faculty knows too. So, chill." Arya chose not to argue with Kanika; he made a way to greet other classmates.

Kanika continued, "You both make such a lovely couple that singles are jealous & other couples envious." Niyaa blushed & remarked, "Shut up!" Kanika ignored Niyaa's comment & added, "He is almost six feet tall & you a foot lesser; yet you make it up with heels. Both of you are inseparable & the chemistry is very apparent. Both of you have a good understanding & stand by each other. People look forward to a day when you both would quarrel. But both of you keep people disappointed. It is a rarity & you cannot deny it. Tell me, how many such couples do you see around?" Niyaa couldn't beat Kanika's thesis. Niyaa swelled with happiness & pride. Kanika thought Niyaa could float away like a helium balloon.

Years passed, Arya & Niyaa's Love grew deeper & stronger. In the last year of college, it started to sink into them that they may go separate ways, as their placements were in different firms. Yet, they knew deep in their hearts that they would keep it going. The following year, they joined respective firms & got busy with work life. Nevertheless, they ensured to stay in touch all day & night through calls & messages. They never missed an opportunity to meet over weekends & holidays.

A couple of years later, Niyaa's family started to look into wedding alliances. She panicked & informed Arya. Niyaa & Arya were more determined than ever & decided to convince their families for them to be wedded. They knew it would be a long haul, but they were not going to give up. They broke the news to their families. As expected, the families detested vehemently. The couple were well aware & prepared for the testing time. Yet, it did put a strain on their relationship. All they had to do was stay together & be patient.

Almost a year passed, neither of the families budged. The daily family drama & emotional blackmail was driving Niyaa crazy. She decided to go for a therapy session, namely shopping. After a long shopping day, Niyaa & Kanika decided to grab cold coffee at Cafe Coffee Day. The shopping had calmed Niyaa's nerves & her aching calf muscles were finally getting some rest. They ordered cold coffee & settled into a comfortable sofa. Niyaa exclaimed, "Such a hot day. I feel so drained of energy." Kanika added, "It's been hot all week. Don't worry; it will be cloudy & rainy tomorrow. That's the weather trend."

Once the cold coffee arrived, Niyaa sipped some Irish coffee & stated, "I don't understand why the families are so stubborn." Kanika instantly replied, "Neither do your families understand why you both are obstinate." Niyaa frowned & questioned, "Are you, our friend or our parents?" Kanika laughed & replied, "I stated the obvious. It's hard to convince families when it is an interfaith wedding. Give them some time; they will turn around." Niyaa exclaimed, "Faith has never been a problem between us." Kanika stirred cold coffee & responded, "That's the beauty of the relationship between both of you. In contrast, the difference in a wedding, when families are involved." Niyaa was irritated with Kanika's statements but had to agree.

As they continued to chat, Niyaa's mobile phone rang. She answered Arya's call with excitement. She screamed, "What?" Kanika had to hush Niyaa, reminding her that they were in a public place. Once Niyaa, hung up she hugged Kanika & announced, "Arya's family has agreed to our wedding. Tomorrow, we are meeting to talk more." Kanika was happy for her friend, but her forehead slightly furrowed. She was quick to dismiss it, but Niyaa's sharp eyes caught it. Niyaa questioned, "What is it?" Kanika tried hard to drop it, but Niyaa would not heed.

Kanika let out a deep sigh & said, "Since you insist, here are my two cents. Firstly, remember it's always a two-way street. Secondly, no guy is worth giving up non-veg food." Niyaa exclaimed, "What?" Kanika shrugged & sipped a tropical iceberg. Niyaa remarked, "I was expecting some gyaan from you. Some tips or possibility of what they would have said. Instead, you, of all people, talk about our relationship as a two-way street!

Most importantly, me giving up non-veg food? You know better!" Kanika only raised her shoulders & sipped coffee. Niyaa angrily said, "We respect each other's Faith. It has never come between us; we never had an argument or disagreement about it. Also, without batting an eye, I always eat non-veg & he never complains or raises concern about it." Kanika sighed & calmly responded, "I am honest & candid about what was on my mind; you asked for it." Niyaa contained her temper & said, "You are incorrigible!"

Arya & Niyaa had decided to meet at an open-air Barista on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately, the weather had turned cloudy & rainy. Niyaa rubbed her palms & commented, "Yesterday, we were shopping in scorching heat & look at today." Arya smiled & placed an order for hot coffees. They looked around for a table that shielded them from the chilly wind & provided them privacy to talk. They settled at a corner table & sat across each other.

Arya sipped some hot Café Latte & declared, "We have our family's blessings, but they have a few caveats." Niyaa's eyebrows knotted & mind started to clutter. Then she gave him the benefit of the doubt & cleared her head. Arya revealed, "My family has basic expectations. Firstly, you have to give up your Faith. Secondly, change your name to suit our Faith & community. Lastly, as we don't consume non-veg, you should stop eating non-veg." Niyaa almost choked on hot Café Mocha & returned a question look.

Arya reasoned, "It's a common practice; everyone does it. In the future, it will be convenient for both of us. Also, it will avoid any conflicts or clashes." While he went about justifying the asks, all she heard was white noise. Niyaa set her coffee cup on the table. She placed elbows on the table with fingers interlocked & rested her chin on it. She looked deep into the hot coffee, which was turning cold rapidly. Suddenly, the weather seemed to get a little rough; it seemed like a storm was brewing. She raised her head & looked around. She smirked & thought, a storm brewing within too.

Eventually, he stopped talking & said, "You haven't said a thing." While she continued to look at the coffee cup, she responded, "Firstly, I have to give up on my Faith, which is my belief system. That is like uprooting the foundation of my principles & values. Secondly, I have to give up the name my father whispered into my ears for the first time. I've to change my identity in all documents & proofs. Finally, give up on my food habits. Which you are well aware that, I can't live without." He reached out to her hand across the table. He cupped her palms in his & asked, "Baby, I love you. Won't you do this for me?" She raised her loving tear-filled eyes to his awaiting eyes. She smiled & uttered, "I love you too, baby. Instead, why don't you do it for me?"

Take Away: One may feel blessed & happy to commute on a one-way street, as it is convenient & hassle-free. In contrast, the one who has to commute in the opposite direction knows the plight of taking a long & painful deviation.