"Being Who We Are With Pride"
Is love a spectrum? well from the perspective of Rahul and Shiv, it is. They have defined it to be unconditional. They believe that a relationship doesn’t have to rely on faith or trust, it is like a mother’s love for her child, unconditional.
Rahul and Shiv were introduced by their common friend, but they hadn’t met each other till that meeting at a bus stand in Panipat, Shiv had gone to collect a document from Rahul. As strange as it may sound, both readily agreed to marry each other in the first meeting itself. Later, they both shifted to Delhi as it was difficult for them to stay away from each other. Now, it’s been 4 years and both of their parents have accepted their relationship.
Rahul, 22, is from Amritsar, growing up as a queer, he says, “I already knew that I was attracted to boys, but I wasn’t aware of my sexuality till class 10. I liked Barbie dolls and power-puff girls and dressed like them. I had a very feminine walk and whenever I tried to adjust my gait, I used to fall. It was never toxic for me as I was open to my mother and sister.”
Shiv, 21, from Bihar, understood his attraction but couldn’t show it. “I was into singing and dancing in class 5-6. I was even selected for Indian Idol, but dad never allowed me to participate. At home, I always helped my mother with her daily chores. At times I used to wear her with makeup”.
But he didn’t fit in with his two brothers. He was clearly different from them. He was slapped by his father for putting on lipstick. Taunts such as, ‘tum larkiyo ki tarah chalte ho, tumhari chaal waisi hai’, were common in school. All he could do was avoid such people and situations. Once his mother understood and Rahul came into his life, things became normal for Shiv. Slowly his father and brothers also came around.
In the initial days of their marriage, though it’s not legal yet, they faced financial struggles. So, they did part-time jobs, tuition, and continued their studies. “No relationship is perfect; people can only try to make it perfect with time. I gave the access of my life to him, shared my thoughts, and involved him in every decision making”. “We are like any other couple. Our morning ritual involves Shiv making tea while I get him updates on all the current affairs” Rahul
From bathing to dressing up, Shiv takes care of Rahul’s every need. He has saved Rs 20000 which he wants to spend on Rahul and fulfill his every wish. They also take tuition for five hours daily.
Even after the abrogation of section 377, same-sex relationship is still looked down upon in India, but Rahul and Shiv are just happy that they have each other. Currently, Shiv is doing his Hindi honors from Deshbandhu college and aspires to become CA while Rahul who dropped out of college twice, hasn’t given up on his dream of doing an MBA.
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