We had a discussion about Soul Mates at some point
I believed and didn't believe in it because not all
paths join.
For instance, I know well that situations can change
one’s mind
So when someone tells me he loves me, I should not
become blind.
The night he walked on a different road I've proven it
right
I stumbled upon a dead end when he gave up the fight.
-Yolei Yang
These words are always there
in the back of my mind since I have read it somewhere. Soul Mates are not
necessarily your life partner, but a permanent resident in your heart because
no one can touch your soul the way your Soul Mate does. They seep into your
being, they live, breathe and grow no matter where, with whom and for how many
decades you live on this earth.
Today, after finishing up my
latest book Hidden Husband by Shikha
Kaul, I understood exactly what the above quote meant for two people in
love.
Here goes nothing!
Aisha, an independent woman
living her high as an HR head in an MNC, who is loved by her parents and best
friend Piyali.
Piyali, who is a fierce
character in the book with whom I can relate myself immensely! She is Loyal, Possessive,
and Trustworthy to the core with full of life.
Sameer, a Flamboyant, Loyal,
Fierce, Dedicated, and an outspoken version of a meek little guy in Aisha’s
school days having a crush on her, who is introduced in an alluring manner at
the beginning and for me, he managed to remain in my good books till the end!
For me, a guy should be like
Sameer’s character in real life rather than Raghav Mishra, whose journey in
Aisha’s life starts from being a Candidate
in her firm to her Colleague to her Boyfriend to her Hidden Husband to her Ex-husband
and finally Future in-law of her son
Shreyas! He loves fiercely but at the same time he is scared about the
consequences, which is a human nature but when you want someone or should I say
need your partner with you, you have to take a front and let the ball roll out
not hide behind a society, religion and their beliefs.
Raghav had powers amongst his
family which he could have revoked and save some hassle for his family, and
definitely for Aisha, whom he loved with all his heart.
It’s a story of a normal
couple who met and fall in love with a hope of being together for this life. What
they never thought is: a true relation builds on truth and trust; a building
block which supports your foundation throughout the journey of your life. Here
Aisha supported Raghav on every step and stumbled together but what their
hidden marriage could not handle were all the lies and hidden problems, which
Raghav thought will hurt Aisha. In turn it ruined their beautiful love and
respect towards each other and made him a Hidden Husband; a secret for them to
suppress in their heart and never reveal.
Dearly quotes:
“I didn't know what felt so good about being with this
new friend, maybe it was an easy way to distract myself from my prevalent
concealment or maybe I was genuinely looking for a friend who would understand
me; at least one more person in this world with whom I could share my eclipsed
picture.”
It’s beautifully expressed in
a way how you sometimes need someone, or anyone, even a stranger would work who
can listen to us, connect to us in our prevalent condition.
“It’s easy to acknowledge but difficult to forget the
past.”
Rightly said and experienced
by probably everyone in their journey called life.
“It had changed the real me and I was living with a
stranger at every juncture of my life – a stranger called ‘me’!
This is the part which I can relate to in my real
life. Over the course of few years, this is what exactly my life has become. It
helps to know am not the only one I guess!
“Something was very different for the first time.”
That very first inkling of something good happening
makes you soar high and feel like untouchable, sadly which is a biggest myth.
“Everything amongst the two of us was always supposed
to be right.”
A badly mistaken Aisha.
What all I love about the book:
The way +Shikha Kaul has
embedded a common thread of creativity through staging general issues in our
country regarding Religion, Caste, Superiority, and Terrorism and managed to
balance through her own past stories, perspectives and experiences in life. The
way she has given relevant and precise information regarding Court Marriage,
Divorce, and their loopholes as well (Am sure it’ll be helpful for prospective
couples “Wink”). I loved how she managed to bind us through all the 4 different
Parts of the book with intriguing events in Aisha’s life and how each part
concludes and starts with an important aspect of her life.
The part I enjoyed the most:
My favourite part of the book
would be when Sameer took it upon himself to introduce their parents and
smoothly click every piece of puzzle irrespective of Aisha’s consent because
according to her nature, I know she would never want to hurt anyone
intentionally, especially her parents. The way Sameer took that option away
from Aisha which not only reflects his domination or what we call an Alpha Male
nature (I love them!) but he was sure of his own feelings and 200% sure about
all the unconditional happiness and security he could offer her.
The bitter sweet pill to swallow for me:
The ending or a conclusion of
this book managed to give me Goosebumps all over! It was a surprising factor
all right but even if a reader could possibly imagine this scenario, Shikha
Kaul managed to drop that bomb precisely by actually making us shiver through that
12:13 factor!
I would love to know what
happens next but at the same time, I do not want any more misery on Aisha and
Raghav’s life. For once, I want to leave them to live in peace, even if it
means an end of their journey through this book. They both have been rotten in
hell enough for all the coming centuries on this earth!
Conclusion:
This book is in Aisha’s POV
but I would have loved to listen and understand Raghav’s turmoil which may have
helped us better through his POV. I feel like I never understood who Raghav
actually is because there are just so many things we don’t know about him and
his family.
I would definitely recommend
everyone to read this book at least once! It’s not only about a couple, but how
their family, upbringing, love, nurture, and society make them. The issues
discussed in this book are for everyone and one should try to tackle them in a
mature manner.
What made this book:
Title: Hidden Husband- some
secrets never leave you
Author: Shikha Kaul
Place: Amritsar, Punjab
Publisher: Gargi Publishers
Publication Date: June 2015
Table of contents: 4 parts
Pages: 239
Price: Rs. 195
ISBN: 9789384382070
