Ientered my office and saw Ms M my receptionist
sobbing behind the laptop screen trying to avoid
the keys. She suddenly stopped her frantic sobbing
as soon as she noticed me cross her desk. “What
Happened Ms M?” I exclaimed. “Nothing Ma’am, I
apologise for my tears, I will be with you in a couple
of minutes.” She answered in between her sobs.
Trying not to intrude I walked away from the desk.
As soon as I entered my cabin Ms M walked right in
behind me. Still sobbing between updates. Suddenly
in the middle of “Shiamak’s office called about ...

“ her stifled sobs converted into brawling episodes.
She then went onto confess that she

was in love with someone. I didn’t see the problem
with that. She continued with a three-year-old saga
starting from how they met and elaborating the play
of destiny with every incident. Then came the entry
of the main villain, The Dad, who obviously was
interested in the wellbeing of his daughter and had
found her a suitable suitor who would take care of his
daughter’s every need. Problem: the lover had been
jobless for the last three years and except the promise
of a job in the future, he had nothing.
Have girls taken the sole right on being vulnerable?
Why don’t we stop and think with the heart and the
mind together? Sometimes we are in love with the
idea of love. We leap at the first proposal, insecure or
lack of self-esteem coupled with a notorious man =
trouble trouble trouble.
I am glad my parents spoke to my sister and me in
great detail about similar events and a girl’s duty to
herself to think practically even about love. Young

girls step into abusive relationships and never under-
stand how to step out. I am not advocating that love is

always foolish but yes it is a pretty illusion of reality
and if not mixed with logic then you only find an
oasis.
Ms M had decided to pack her bags and runaway
and live off love. Unfortunately, living in the forest is
not as glamorous as Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawala

made it look in ‘Qyamat se Qyamat Tak’. I am a moth-
er of two crazy and cute kids and I can’t imagine ever

having to lose my kids. Moreover, even now after

eight years of marriage I still call home for emotion-
al support, mom’s new ideas and old experiences and

some long chats over hot cup of tea just bashing the
idea of marriage and men. How could Ms M be ready
to leave all this and go sleep on stone cold bed with a
pillow made of hay?
Yesterday she gave me her wedding card. She is
marrying the Mr Right of her father’s choice. Phew!!!
She told me, “I went to the station and came back.
Thank you for telling me that it was ok to be foolish
as long as you know. And nobody puts it this way but
I didn’t want to be without my family forever. My Mr
Right is amazing, I am so glad I stayed. “
Talk, Talk and Talk to those girls you have nurtured
with so much love. It might be their decision to run
but their each wound makes you sore. Share the
truthful stories of things gone wrong or right and let
them learn that their destiny and happiness is shaped
by the purity of their love and alertness of their
mind.

Ruchira Darda

I am Ruchira Darda, a relationship coach, parenting expert, author, and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience. Based in Mumbai, I work extensively in the areas of mindful living and emotional wellness. I am a TEDx speaker and focus on personality identification to help individuals and families build stronger, healthier relationships. I also lead and actively support initiatives such as the Lokmat MahaMarathon.