The world murmurs about finding your soulmate, but occasionally, destiny presents a challenge in the form of separation. Varun Zaveri and Avinash Mali are well aware of this. Their love story, spanning across continents, challenges norms and demonstrates that when hearts intertwine, borders become insignificant.
We chatted exclusively with the pair about the start of their relationship, their journey of a long-distance relationship, and what lies ahead.
A love story that spans continents
Avinash Mali
It started with timid swipes on a dating app after Varun’s six-year relationship ended. Varun said, “When my six-year-long relationship ended, I was devastated. It took me two long years to even consider giving love another chance.” But, as the saying goes, love knocks when you least expect it, right?
So, they met on a dating app. Conversations flowed effortlessly, and laughter echoed across digital bridges. They talked about everything and nothing at the same time, creating a realm out of shared dreams where souls merged. Then came their first date. The twist? Avinash dropped a bombshell that he lived in Singapore and had come to India to meet his family. “My heart sank.” “How could I fall for someone who lived so far away?” said Varun.
But, love truly conquers all, isn’t it? “He said, I love you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you,” Varun recounts, his voice filled with the warmth of treasured recollections. And Avinash did it often, overcoming geographical impossibilities with the unflinching confidence of a man in love.
“One day, he appeared before me as a surprise, and when I saw him standing there, his eyes brimming with nothing but pure love, I knew he was the one for me. True to his word, Avinash and I met frequently, and our love only grew stronger,” says Varun. Their dates became ephemeral moments of sunshine, with each goodbye engraved in stolen glances and whispered dreams. They crossed paths in 2022 and dated for about 8 to 10 months before tying the knot in February 2023.
Their journey of defying conventional norms
Avinash Mali
Love has no rules, and Avinash and Varun’s relationship exemplifies breaking free from conventional norms. As Varun puts it, “When your love is unconditional, love rules and it goes beyond traditional boundaries and constraints.” In a society where predefined expectations frequently govern interactions, they embraced their personalities and faced problems with tenacity. Their dedication to creating a loving atmosphere not only for themselves but also for the people around them exemplifies a love that overcomes prejudices and seeks acceptance.
“Respecting societal norms, we respect each other & love what we have between us,” added Varun. Pretty clear, that their shared values and determination become the driving force behind their mission to bring about positive change in society.
Their love as queer individuals
Avinash Mali
“Varun is a super-loving and caring husband but he gets upset for wrong and unfair things happening around him,” said Avinash. In the intricacies of their relationship, Avinash’s assertiveness complements Varun’s calm demeanour, creating a harmonious balance that aids them in navigating life’s complexities. “He voices it out immediately and not all the time the situation is smooth, so I, being a quieter and calm person, step up and try to ease out the situation,” said Avinash.
In addition to their dynamics, the couple has a strong commitment to giving back to the community. Avinash said, “On top of this, we both believe in giving.” They thoroughly enjoy volunteering at the animal shelter, old age home, and orphanage. “Being a pet parent, we want to do something for stray dogs,” added Avinash.
In addition, they have a strong desire to welcome a child into their lives and raise them to become a responsible member of society. “Also, we aspire to adopt a child, and grow her/him into a responsible citizen,” said Avinash. This dynamic duo’s distinct combination of traits and shared beliefs serves as a source of motivation for embracing diversity in relationships.
Managing distance & family acceptance
Avinash Mali
“The very first challenge was distance with Singapore and India,” they said. “But, distance helped us to get another level of maturity & understanding. We support each other’s ambitions, successes & failures,” they further added, their hearts overflowing with emotion. Long-distance relationships can be quite challenging, but for Avinash and Varun, it became an opportunity for personal development.
Varun recalls, “Avinash had to struggle to get acceptance from a few family members but in this journey, we respected their feelings and gave them time to digest and learn about the situation.” Throughout this process, they never imposed their will on anyone, yet they also never hindered anyone from finding joy and embracing this stage.
The couple embraced the challenges of physical separation and family and societal resistance, transforming them into chances for growth and empathy. Varun’s candidness in the face of familial challenges stood in stark contrast to Avinash’s journey of self-disclosure.
A love that inspires souls worldwide
Avinash Mali
Avinash and Varun’s love story is more than simply two people; it’s a story of resilience, acceptance, and the transformational power of romance. Varun went on to say, “There will be a lot of challenging instances, people who will hold you back but let it not affect you, believe in yourself, your heart, love & you will get the guidance.”
“Just follow your heart, love is the powerful energy in this universe,” they advise. They believe that by sharing their experience, they can inspire others to follow their emotions, break free from societal restraints, and spread the universal language of love. Their story demonstrates that love knows no bounds and when fully embraced, can overcome all obstacles.
Social and lead image credits: Avinash Mali
