Crazy Little Thing Called Love

IN LIGHT OF THE 2018 JUDGEMENT ON SECTION 377 OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE, which made it clear that “social morality cannot violate the rights of even a single individual”, Reader’s Digest brings you a special Valentine’s Day feature. Here are three stories of love and companionship that demonstrate the courage it takes to always choose love, no matter the odds.

And I Love Her

By Sree Mukherjee

An overnight trip to Santiniketan in the scorching heat of May—that was our first date. It was the first time Suchandra and I met in person, and I knew right then—this is it.

We first connected online. I saw this pretty girl on a mutual friend’s Facebook page and instinctively pinged her. She responded and there was an instant connection. We didn’t meet each other until later, but I knew there was an undeniable chemistry between us. We talked about everything, for hours. Well, she spoke, and I mostly listened (laughs). She told me about her life, her past relationships, how nervous she was on her first date—she absentmindedly brought home the napkin from the restaurant table! It was amazing listening to her. I knew I was falling in love.

During one of our conversations, Suchandra mentioned something—she was preparing a guest list for her wedding with a man; would I attend the event? At that point, there was no relationship—just this strong, intense attraction. Even so, the news was upsetting. I learnt that she had just come out of a relationship with a woman that ended in heartbreak. Her parents now insisted that she settle down with this man; reluctantly, she agreed. I was sure of how I felt, and sensed she felt the same, but I couldn’t say anything. It was her life, her decision. But before parting ways after returning from Santiniketan, I hugged her and simply asked that she try to postpone her wedding, if possible.