Hmmm...

  Rekha's health was falling apart. She suffered from relentless joint pain that had no clear cause, and migraines that struck like a hammer, leaving her helpless for hours. No amount of allopathic treatment seemed to work. Doctors prescribed medicines, but nothing brought relief. The pain and exhaustion took over her life, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Her office work suffered—leaves became frequent, deadlines slipped through her fingers. At home, things were no better. Chores piled up, the household sank into chaos, and frustration grew. She was trapped in a body that refused to cooperate, struggling every day just to keep going. Rekha had been suffering like this for the past four to five years. The constant pain, exhaustion, and failed treatments had drained her completely. As her condition worsened, she found herself withdrawing from everything—her work, her responsibilities, even her family. Most of the time, she was too unwell to engage in conversations or ...

Rekha and Amit’s marriage was an arranged one, but in this modern age, it was hard to believe that they had never even met before their parents introduced them. No long conversations, no romantic dates, just a few formal meetings where their families sat together, watching them like hawks, while they exchanged shy smiles and awkward words. And before they could fully process it, the wedding was fixed. The reason for the quick wedding? A subh lagan was coming up in the next month, and their families didn’t want to miss it. So, without much delay, preparations started, and soon enough, Amit and Rekha were standing together as husband and wife. At the wedding and reception, everyone admired them. Relatives and friends whispered, “ They look like a match made in heaven! ” People gushed over their chemistry, though in reality, they were still strangers to each other. They had barely spent time together, but now, they were bound for life. Amit, a nature lover at heart, wanted their hon...

I was searching for a senior professional for a role when I came across someone with an impressive background—an IIT graduate who later pursued an MBA from IIM. After a brief exchange of messages, he called me while traveling from Gurgaon to Bangalore. We agreed to have a detailed chat during his drive home from the airport. For the sake of this story, let’s call him Ram. Ram had a warm, confident voice, and we connected instantly. We spoke about his career aspirations, but the role I had in mind didn’t interest him. However, he was kind enough to refer a friend. That was a separate story. What mattered was that we hit it off well, and by the end of our conversation, he suggested meeting for dinner the following week. The evening arrived, and Ram brought along his cousin—let’s call him Sam. As we settled into our seats, conversation flowed effortlessly. At one point, I joked, “So, you must be one of those guys who work 90 hours a week and barely have time to even look at your wife.” He...