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
Charu and Nishant Sharma on the importance of flexibility, prioritizing and planning to keep it all together: namely rewarding careers, the warm glow of home and bringing up their son Yug
It’s the little things that count, and the small moments that add up. And the cake Charu Sharma cut on their last anniversary says it all: a prettily decorated piece of confectionery featuring all the dates that mean something to the couple... “Such as the day we met, the day we went on our first date and so on,” smiles Charu fondly. But gestures like these are far from uncommon in their marriage, especially from Nishant’s end. “He is involved, creative and very thoughtful. His gifts and gestures go well beyond the materialistic,” she expresses. In other words, keep the romance alive.
Married for over nine years, the Sharmas (both 34) are the quintessential young corporate couple, juggling demanding careers, home and their bundle of joy—five year old Yug. Currently based in Noida, Nishant works as Automation Manager with Nestle, while Charu is a project coordinator with Altram Technologies. Even though it’s a demanding time, given that they are a nuclear family with a very young child, the Sharmas point out that everything is manageable with time, effort and planning.
This love story dates all the way back to their MBA days at BITM. Both were pursuing their degree in Marketing and Telecom, and as is wont to happen, cupid wasn’t a long way off. “We were both on the student council,” narrates Nishant. “I was the discipline coordinator and she, the placement coordinator. Naturally, we had plenty of opportunity to interact,” he shares. He, especially, remembers the time they went to a faculty member’s birthday party. “I was struck by her openness and simplicity,” he says.
For her part, Charu liked him for his maturity and poise. “He is a man of few words, an introvert, but is very disciplined and committed to all that he undertakes. I cherish these qualities in him,” she says. “On the other hand, I am the extrovert, who hits it off with people instantly.
As they got talking, they realized the conversation flowed naturally and easily. “We are actually very different people,” says Nishant. “North Pole and South Polewould not be a wrong analogy. But what is important is that we click well together.”
And so, after a formal date together, he popped the question. “On message, if you please!” grins Charu. “I asked him, if it wasn’t too soon? To which he replied that I had a long line of batch mates, and he did not want to risk losing me.”
Taken aback, she nevertheless told him that she needed more time. A month and a half-later, she accepted. “I told my mother straightaway. But he wanted to wait until he got placed before letting his parents know. He felt it would make more sense that way,” she says.
Not much opposition on the parental front, either, given that both are North Indians and Brahmins: she hails from Kanpur, while he’s a Marwari brought up in Ahmedabad. The duo were wed in Feb 2008.
Post marriage, the couple had to endure a year of separation as he was with Nestle, Baroda, and she with Bharati Telesoft, Mumbai. She joined him a year later, and soon the couple moved to Ahmedabad, where Charu worked with The Times of India.
Post baby, though, she opted for a two and a half year sabbatical. “Yes, it was a break in my career, but I did not want to leave such a young baby in a crèche. Nishant, of course, was very supportive—both when I quit, as well as when I rejoined.”
Currently, she’s back at work—a choice made easier considering that Yug is cared for by her mother and brother’s family post school, until the two of them are back from office.
Weekends, though, are complete family times. “It’s important to give your loved ones that time,” says Nishant. “Don’t bring work home.”
Both have a simple mantra that keeps them going. “Trust, in a relationship, is pretty much everything,” says Nishant. “Everything follows from that space-communication, togetherness and mutual respect”
Despite the burden of responsibility that inevitably comes with a nuclear set-up, they insist it’s not too difficult. A shared value system definitely goes a long way in ensuring a measure of balance and harmony. “What helps is the fact that we have known each other really long. Three years of courtship, followed by almost a decade of marriage,” says Charu.
“Nishant is very much a hands-on dad, who helps out with Yug,” she adds. Even as he chips in: “Yes, we were both particular about the fact that parenting had to be a joint partnership, not just mamma’s problem.”
To that end, they take turns playing with, and baby-sitting Yug ensuring there’s always a parent around. “For instance, these days, she is pursuing these weekend classes that will go on for the next couple of months. So it’s important to manage my schedule in such a way that she can pursue her academic goals too,” says Nishant.
Even with all this happening in their lives, the couple makes it a point to get away—just the two of them—every once in a while for an evening out. “It’s hugely important, as with a young child, you tend to lose out on time with your partner,” says Charu.
Both have a simple mantra that keeps them going. “Trust, in a relationship, is pretty much everything,” says Nishant. “Everything follows from that space—communication, togetherness and mutual respect.”
Apart from which, Charu says it’s hugely important not to let fights escalate. “Both lose out in such a scenario. It is, therefore, pretty important for one partner to stay calm in those moments when the other is upset over something. Friction is a fact of life and it’s up to us not to make a big deal of it, but to deal with it and move on,” she says. “Avoid carrying fights over to the next day.”
So what do the two of them say about the increasing divorce rates today, especially in the corporate world, where relationships are perceived to be short-term and fleeting? “Honestly, it’s up to the couple concerned to decide where to draw the line, and when and where and how to prioritize. And priorities need to change as per the need of the hour. Everything works out provided you are flexible enough to go the distance for your family,” rounds off Nishant.
by Kalyani Sardesai
