An ADVENTURE called togetherness
It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into 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 six years, IT professionals Prachee Bapate and Piyush Laad believe a relationship is about moments, big and small
"Gradually, the chemistry blossomed, and we knew we were more than just friends"
- Piyush
Long drives into the ghats, treks and a game of badminton, are how this couple spend quality time even as the world slowly limps back to normal in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sure, the past few months have been tough on the couple as they have been on almost everyone else but faith, togetherness and a willingness to savour each experience, has made things bearable.
BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Like several others, this story too was first scripted at Pune’s PVG College where they were both pursuing their degree in computer science. “I have been a Pune girl through and through,” says Prachee, “whereas Piyush was from Dapoli.”
Though they saw each other, day in and day out, there wasn’t much conversation, initially. It was only in the final year of the college that the duo began to play badminton together. “Here’s where we got a chance to talk. Truth be told, it was the first time that I had bonded with a guy. Hailing as I do from a conservative family, having friends from the opposite sex wasn’t the norm. But here, we were talking to each other, day in and day out,” narrates Prachee.
It helped that both their respective natures were similar enough to have something to talk about and variant enough to keep things interesting. “Gradually, the chemistry blossomed, and we knew we were more than just friends,” says Piyush.
“He was quite simply my first love,” adds Prachee.
However, their families particularly Piyush’s, were none too thrilled about the developments. “A major point of concern was the difference in our castes; they felt this would make things difficult for us,” he says.
Mature, firm and patient, the couple, nevertheless stuck to their guns.
“We were supported albeit cautiously by my sister who’d had a love marriage too,” says Piyush.
Eventually, the families gave them their blessing and the duo were married in 2014.
THE MANTRAS OF A MARRIAGE
- Space
- Sharing responsibilities
- Spending quality time together
- Trust and respect
"My inlaws are gracious, kind and accepting. They have given me all the support I needed to gel with the family"
- Prachee
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF A MARRIAGE
Though IT careers are tough, unsparing and demanding, Prachee and Piyush had spent enough time together to negotiate the rough and tumble of the same. Besides, both had differing ideas of how they’d like their work to shape up. Piyush worked with the IT firm NVIDIA Graphics Pvt. Ltd. and RYUSSI Technologies before his current stint with Aarian Intasel Service Private Limited, a UK-based firm dedicated to health care as a senior software engineer. Prachee started in an IT firm too but eventually chose the flexibility offered by a freelance career two years ago. “The reason behind this was that I wasn’t quite passionate about the work on hand. I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I should have,” she says candidly. “By opting for freelance, I can pick and choose the projects I like; plus, I get to pay attention to the home front. This way, balancing home and work becomes easier.”
So how difficult was it to adjust to Piyush’s family given their apprehensions in the first place? “Truth be told, it hasn’t been difficult at all,” she expresses. “My in-laws are gracious, kind and accepting. They have given me all the support I needed to gel with the family,” says Prachee. “They have been accepting and open-minded, and given me the confidence to express myself freely.”
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
Considering that they have been married for six years, what according to them, are the cornerstone of marriage?
Prachee has a single word on the same. “Space,” she says, unhesitantly. “Even if you are husband and wife, you need to understand that the other person is first and foremost an individual with likes, needs and moods of their own. When you make allowances for their need to do some things their own way, things fall into place,” she says.
On the other hand, Piyush would root for trust and respect. “Trusting each other in thought and spirit, having faith in each other’s judgment and respecting the qualities that your spouse brings to the table is what makes a marriage work,” he says.
Like every couple, conflict management does play a key role in keeping the peace. “The important thing is to cool things down and not let matters get out of hand. When you lose precious time together, it really isn’t worth it,” says Piyush.
The mutual admiration for each other is a given. “He is very good at his work and very knowledgeable about it,” she says. Even as he gives her credit for managing work and home with aplomb, whilst simultaneously establishing a warm bond with his family. “She is thoughtful and sensitive to those around her, and a very generous giver of gifts,” he smiles.
The recent lockdown has brought many learnings in its wake teamwork being the foremost. “I cooked and cleaned, while he helped me organise things, went shopping and ensured the groceries didn’t run out,” says Prachee.
The added chores apart, work from home isn’t a new phenomenon for either of them. “She is a freelancer whilst I have been working from my laptop for the last five years,” he says.
So while long vacations aren’t quite a possibility, the couple makes it a point to drive around taking in the verdant beauty of the hills that surround their home. That, and long, heart to heart conversations over the carrom board.
BRINGING UP BABY (NOT AS YET)
A typical millennial couple, both Prachee and Piyush are firm about opting for parenthood when they’re ready, and not a moment before. “It’s an onerous responsibility and you have to be in the correct space for it,” they say. “So, if and when that happens, it will be in its own good time,” they round off.