Soumik & Piali: When love finds you, let it in

Love, for some, blossoms without effort. For others, love is a road marked by heartbreak, before true happiness comes along. And when you meet someone who eases all that pain just as you’re ready to give up, that’s when love becomes the greatest healer.

That's exactly what happened with Soumik and Piali. They had nearly given up on love when they met on Aisle and became each other’s hope for a happier future. Piali understood Soumik’s pain, and in turn, Soumik helped her rediscover the thrill of romance. "I was hesitant at first, because of the heartbreaks I had been through already," Piali says. "But with every message from Soumik, it felt like teenage love all over again... full of butterflies, late-night chats, and a promise of something deeper."

Soumik's thoughtfulness helped break down Piali’s defences. Roses waiting on her desk before work, chocolates delivered just when she craved them, and long drives in the rain—it was the kind of love she had only dreamed of. They took the road slowly and carefully, enjoying every step with each other.

But love, as they learned, isn’t always smooth. During their first trip to Mandarmani, Piali woke up with a Bell’s Palsy attack, her face partially paralysed. Fearing she’d hold him back, she begged Soumik to walk away and find happiness elsewhere.

Soumik’s love was unwavering. "When you love someone with all the pureness of your heart, you don't let something as shallow as appearance get in the way. Looks fade with time, but the true goodness of a person only shines brighter." Soumik stayed by her side, helping with everything from medications to physiotherapy, becoming close to her parents in the process. Together, they faced the challenges head-on.

Talking about the early days of the medical condition, both Soumik and Piali believe that they could only emerge from it because of the strength of their love. "When you are sure about your feelings for someone, when you love them much more than the societal rules - that's when you truly understand the meaning of love. You learn to be present for them, and face the challenges together. No matter what the world says, your love comes out stronger!"

Piali healed with Soumik's support and the foundations of their relationship grew more resilient. They were so sure of each other that nothing else in the world mattered.

Soumik proposed to Piali on Valentine's Day 2024; by April 20, they were contently married. Talking about life after marriage, Soumik and Piali agree that just because they have 'tied the knot', it doesn't mean that life's challenges won't test them. But it is crucial to remember why they chose to be together in the first place. "If the foundation is strong, then the building will keep growing taller and taller for years to come!"