It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into a wedlock. Corporate Citizen unlocks the story of love that has culminated into marriage, for we believe in the stability of a relationship and family unit. We bring to you real-life romances that got sealed in marriage
Married for a little over six months, Tushita Sarkar and Abhishek Biswas are on the cusp of a promising future. What makes their journey especially interesting is the lessons they’ve already imbibed in the course of a long friendship
Romance is great; relationships are work. Dates over coffee are good fun, marriage is hard-work. Dreams are lovely—provided you work to make them come true. Sterling observations that are already part of this young couple’s life experiences.
They very nearly didn’t make it together— given the long break-up following his parents’ disapproval. Gradually, everyone did come around—but more so Tushita and Abhishek who understood the simple fact that sustaining a relationship meant work and commitment. “In a way, it’s a good thing it all happened. We have come out stronger because of it,” says Tushita.
The duo were introduced to each other in their graduation days way back in 2006. From the very beginning, they discovered they were a gratifying mix of similarities and differences. While both are Bengalis from Jamshedpur, their personalities and education are a study in contrast. Tushita (27) has completed her MBA in International Business and Marketing from BIIB, Abhishek (31) has done his BE(computers). She’s currently employed as Business Project Head with TCS, while Abhishek is set to move from his current profile as associate producer, UBI Soft to heading the gaming zone at NH TV, Netherlands. In order to be with him, Tushita has asked to be transferred from Pune (where they are presently located) to the Netherlands.
Despite the palpable excitement, there is a strong commitment to making a nascent marriage even stronger. “When you live together, you realise there’s so much you don’t know about your partner,” grins Tushita. “It’s like getting to know them all over again.”
Though the adjustments are many, it is made easier by a mutual appreciation of each other’s qualities. “You could say I am the whole newspaper, while he’s a man of few words,” she smiles. “What I really like is his simplicity; he is what he is at all times, and will never pretend to be what he’s not.”
For his part, Abhishek enjoys her “smartness, intelligence and depth of understanding. “
It took him just a little while to figure out that she was the one for him. “I guess I must have proposed to her about twice,” he reminisces. “Once in the course of our courtship, the second time on the train, after both our families had agreed to our relationship. Both times, it was a yes, of course.”
A decade of knowing each other has stood them in good stead. “I am glad that we started out as friends, and a lot of the stuff that happened, took place before we cemented our relationship,” he says.
“From the very beginning, he took a lot of effort to spend time with me. For instance, during our student days, he would drive all the way from Wanowrie, his work place to Balaji—Tathawade just to have dinner with me and drop me back. Such genuine interest is definitely a great thing for any girl,” she narrates.
“The turning point in their relationship was when Tushita lost her father.” I was just 22, and it placed a lot of pressure on me. He was hugely supportive in that period and I realized he was someone I could count on,” says Tushita.
Even so, a break up was inevitable, given that his parents didn’t quite approve of a working girl. “But eventually they realised that we really cared for each other, and approached my family for marriage,” narrates Tushita. “So it has not been an easy journey, but one full of many ups and downs and valuable learnings. I would particularly like to thank Bala Sir, here, not only only for his valuable guidance but also his words of wisdom about accommodation and patience...He told me once, Love has a way of healing all wounds (in the case of in-laws) and things will eventually work out to our hearts’ desire...I keep that in mind always.”
When you live together, you realise there’s so much you don’t know about your partner. It is like getting to know him all over again after getting married - Tushita
Corporate careers are indeed stressful, but it is helpful that Abhishek has a lead of a few years and with his ‘calm, studied approach’ can help de-escalate the work pressure. “He can predict quite accurately what’s going to happen next, and we discuss my options from there. What’s more, when the going is particularly tough, he won’t pressurise me in anyway. He’s most understanding and accommodating.”
Household chores are a moot point--he insists he helps, she says he doesn’t !
Still, both are particular about spending quality time together, which includes movies, restaurants and gaming.
“We are both music and movie lovers, apart from being avid foodies. Between us, we have covered most of the menus that Pune has to offer,” he shares. Both enjoy experimenting with food--and trying out different recipes. “We are both quite adventurous in that regard; me, more so than him. Like on the honeymoon trip to Mauritius, where I tried out stuff like Shark and Octopus.”
Interestingly, they own quite a collection of video games. “He’s techno-savvy and techno-crazy, no two ways about it. Otherwise a very simple soul, who won’t bother to spend much on himself, his one indulgence is games. Over the years, he’s got me to enjoy them too—and we spend a lot of time on the console,” she says.
“Considering his understanding of the world of technology, a lot of our conversations revolve around subjects like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality. He is most disinterested in the gossip around it—but when it comes to such topics, he really comes alive as a conversationalist.”
As far as fights are concerned, she is the hot-tempered one, while he’s the pacifist. “It’s always a good idea for one person to keep the peace, when the other is upset about something.” he says.
While starting a family is still some time away, Abhishek is all for extending his full support to her aspirations. “She wants to give up her work at some point, and I plan to help her set-up a startup. Whatever actually happens, I will support her in every way,” he says.
By Kalyani Sardesai
