Love stories frequently unfold in unexpected ways, navigating the intricacies of life, society, and personal hardships. Sathish and Chandrakala’s story exemplifies the power of love to transcend obstacles and navigate the turbulences that come one’s way. Their journey from being acquaintances at work to romantic partners is one of tenacity, determination, and unflinching commitment.
We chatted exclusively with the pair about how it all began, their journey of an intercaste relationship, and what lies ahead.
A serendipitous encounter at the workplace
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Isn’t it true that love finds us in the most unexpected places? Who knew that Sathish and Chandrakala would have the same experience! Their journey began in the bustling hallways of a digital media company when Sathish and Chandrakala met and worked together.
“We both worked together 3.5 years ago. He was working for a digital media company, and I joined them for a YouTube channel where we made Tamil content videos. He was the lead, and they were looking for a female lead to take over. I joined because my friend was already working there,” said Chandrakala.
As they spent more time together, they developed a bond that went beyond professional boundaries. “After a few months of sharing everything, he once told me that I never talk to girls and he had no female friends. I asked him, why was I his friend when he didn’t talk to any other girl,” Chandrakala remarked.
Chandrakala further went on to explain, “He then mentioned that no one inquired about his well-being, whether he had eaten, or if everything was okay, or perhaps, he never allowed anyone that opportunity.” Naturally, you act uniquely with that individual. Chandrakala mentioned, “That touched me.”
Well, things were pretty clear, love was blooming already. Despite their opposite personalities—Sathish, an introvert, and Chandrakala, an extrovert—their bond grew stronger with each passing day. That’s how it all began!
Weathering the parental storm
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Their love was tested for the first time when Chandrakala’s mother got ill, pushing her into the harsh reality of societal expectations. Chandrakala revealed, “My mother had psychosis, and her greatest concern was that I would not marry until the age of 26. In modern Indian society, if you are single after 25, people begin to worry about it. According to Indian parents, the ideal age for marriage is between 22 and 23 and so, she was concerned.”
As one would expect, this added further difficulty to their relationship. Upon hearing Chandrakala’s story, Sathish also decided to take action.
“When I told him this, he went to his room. He shared everything, confessed, and opened up about our relationship to his parents, who did not agree because they were looking for someone from the same caste,” said Chandrakala. Also, her educational qualifications became a matter of concern for Sathish’s parents, “They thought I had completed two degrees, one of which was postgraduate, so I might dominate him, and might not listen to him, and this would not end well. So they had a lot of bad thoughts,” remarked Chandrakala.
Their initial hesitancy, driven by concerns about caste, tradition, and public censure, put doubt on their future. But well, love does conquer all, doesn’t it?
Building careers & a loving relationship, together
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For a year, Sathish and Chandrakala were on an emotional rollercoaster, dealing with parental rejection, societal expectations, and their doubts and anxieties.
“We then said, okay, let’s just leave this marital consent and everything aside. Let us focus on our careers. He then purchased the YouTube channel from its owner, with complete rights. He started making videos, founded his banner called ‘YA Creations’ and grew rapidly,” elaborated Chandrakala.
Meanwhile, Chandrakala continued her academic goals, earning her Master’s degree in English and getting into the field of education. She added, “I moved to Bangalore and worked at an international school, but after two months, my mother was admitted to the hospital, and I had to leave my job and return to my hometown.”
She said, “I was taking care of my mother, and she had been mentally ill for a few years. I then enrolled at a college and attended it for one year. In terms of our careers, we were both doing well and he began to make far more than he previously earned. Een though the families were aware that we were spending time together, they weren’t convinced.”
True love prevails
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After three years of determination, patience, and undying love, Sathish and Chandrakala’s love triumphed over everything else.
“We resolved to let them have their arguments and everything and to enjoy our days together rather than wasting them. If they don’t allow us to marry, that’s fine. We were financially secure enough to support ourselves at the time, but we were concerned that if we got married, our parents would be upset and would refuse to accept money for their expenses,” Chandrakala said.
Their perseverance and dedication gradually softened the hearts of their families, paving the road for acceptance and forgiveness. After all, love prevails!
“For three years, we were on a rollercoaster ride, and only when we stopped paying attention to how they were acting did they finally agree. They were aware that we had the choice of leaving and living our own lives. We realised that our love had won the struggle,” said Chandrakala.
Their journey, replete with hardships and victories, serves as a reminder of love’s transformational powers. In a society full of prejudice, expectations, and cultural standards, Sathish and Chandrakala’s love story is a light of hope and inspiration!
Social and lead image credits: Instagram/tastesofchandru
