Chapter 79: Chapter 79
Siddharth Angihotri sat in front of his serious looking, would be brother in law.
“Shravan bhai..” He called out softly and Shravan simply raised his eyebrows in answer.
Siddhu shot a look at his best friend and Drishti simply shrugged her shoulders saying that she cannot help him in this matter.
“Shravan bhai. I am in love with Shreya. I know the way you found us was wrong, but our love isn’t wrong. Please do understand, bhai.” Siddhu pleaded.
“Siddhu, I have known you for years. And yes, I know you are a good guy. But giving our princess to you is out of the question.” Shravan said and Siddhu felt his heart breaking at that moment.
“Why, bhai?” Siddhu asked, looking down. He couldn’t look at anybody’s face.
Drishti kept throwing glares at Shravan, but he simply ignored it.
“As you know, we are a Rajasthani family, Siddhu. Marrying off our daughter into a Kannada family is not possible.” Shravan said.
“Why the discrimination now, bhai? You are a Rajasthanian. And yet you are happily married to a Mumbai girl.” Siddhu pointed out.
“We have a common mother tongue, Siddhu.” Shravan said, making both Siddhu and Drishti frown in confusion.
What nonsense is he speaking?
“I don’t understand your point, Shravan bhai.” Siddhu said.
“Okay. Let me make it clear. Which is your most comfortable language?” Shravan asked.
“Kannada.” Siddhu said.
“Exactly. And for Shreya, it is Hindi. We tend to use our most comfortable language when our emotions are involved. I don’t know whether I am making my point clear or not, but when a couple with two different mother tongues start living together, one of them will have to always make adjustments. And over time, it might start getting annoying.”
Siddhu's mind raced as he processed Shravan's words. He had never given much thought to the impact of language differences on a relationship, but now it seemed so clear. He glanced at Drishti, who nodded in agreement, silently conveying her understanding of Shravan's point.
"I see what you're saying, bhai," Siddhu admitted, his voice filled with a mix of disappointment and realisation.
"But love can transcend language barriers, can't it? We're willing to make the necessary adjustments and compromises for each other."
Shravan sighed, his stern expression softening slightly. "I understand your love for each other, Siddhu. And I can see that you're genuine. But marriage isn't just about love. It requires a strong foundation, compatibility, and understanding. Language plays a crucial role in fostering that understanding."
Drishti interjected, her eyes brimming with determination.
"What if Siddhu and Shreya make an effort to learn each other's languages? It could be an opportunity for them to grow together and bridge that gap."
Shravan contemplated her suggestion, a flicker of contemplation crossing his face. After a moment, he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of hope.
"If both of you are truly committed to making this work, willing to embrace each other's cultures, and put in the effort to understand one another, then perhaps, just perhaps, I can reconsider my decision."
A surge of gratitude filled Siddhu's heart as he realised the possibility of a glimmer of hope. He thanked Shravan earnestly, promising to prove their commitment to their love and their willingness to overcome any obstacles that lay ahead.
As the conversation drew to a close, Siddhu couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination.
He knew that the journey ahead would not be easy, but with Shravan's cautious approval and their unwavering love, he and Shreya would strive to build a strong and harmonious relationship that transcended language differences.
“Thank you, Shravan bhai. Just know that, I will always love Shreya more than myself. No matter what the circumstances are.” Siddhu said with a smile and bid goodbye to Shravan and Drishti.
“Until yesterday, you were saying you are only going to let him sweat for a while and then agree to it. Where did this language barrier come from now?” Drishti asked, as soon as Siddhu left.
“I have been thinking about them the whole night. And all these points came into my mind. And I realised, the language barrier is actually a barrier to cross.” Shravan said and Drishti sighed.
“In the boarding school, it was a rule to speak only in English. So, I got used to speaking in English to Siddhu always. Though I understand Kannada, no way I am fluent in it.” Drishti said.
“I know. I learned Kannada during my university days here in Bangalore. Even though I am fluent, it is always a conscious effort to speak the language. I always have to construct the sentence in my mind before speaking. That’s what happens when we speak a language other than our mother tongue.” Shravan said.
“I never thought deeply about such things. Now, when I think about it, I can’t even imagine living with someone who is not a native Hindi speaker.” Drishti said.
“Exactly my point, Drishti. Let them make the effort for each other. Meanwhile, I will talk to Dad and Mom about them. Grandpa might object, but we can handle him.” Shravan said.
Shravan and Drishti continued their conversation, discussing their own experiences and the challenges they had faced in their intercultural relationship. They both agreed that language was indeed an important factor to consider, but it shouldn't be the sole determining factor in Siddhu and Shreya's future together.
After their conversation, Shravan decided to approach his parents and explain the situation to them. He knew it wouldn't be an easy task, as their traditional mindset might clash with his newfound perspective. However, he was determined to make them understand the depth of Siddhu and Shreya's love and their willingness to work through any obstacles.
Meanwhile, Siddhu and Shreya were also having a heartfelt discussion. They acknowledged the potential difficulties they might face due to their language differences, but they were determined not to let it hinder their relationship. They agreed to start learning each other's languages, seeing it as an opportunity to grow together and strengthen their bond.