Ek Rishta Meetha Sa… With a Little Spice! 🌶️😄

Relationship Expert by Profession. Mermaid by Mood. Wife by Reality. 😄

I  went to sit with my husband, seeking to reconnect after a long and busy day.

Now, before you say, “Awww, how sweet!”—yes, that was exactly the intention behind my actions. I had spent the entire afternoon engrossed in my work, meticulously crafting posts, preparing lectures, and generating content for my coaching practice. My brain had been running a full-time coaching clinic, juggling ideas and strategies, and amidst all that mental activity, the wife in me suddenly felt a pang of guilt creeping in.

"Maybe I haven’t been a very good companion today," I thought to myself, reflecting on the time I had dedicated to my professional responsibilities rather than nurturing my personal relationship.

So I decided to do what I often teach couples to do in order to strengthen their bond.

I went to spend some quality time with him, aiming to make him feel "seen, heard, appreciated"—all those beautiful concepts I passionately discuss in my work and, of course, in my book "Ek Rishta Meetha Sa," which delves into the nuances of relationships and emotional connections.

The irony, however, had apparently booked a front-row seat to this little endeavor.

Within just a few minutes, our peaceful little “couple time” swiftly transformed into a mini war zone, with sarcasm flying around like complimentary snacks at a party, each remark sharper than the last.

He was watching a video of someone explaining a concept with great clarity and enthusiasm, and he casually remarked, “See how nicely he is explaining it.”

And somewhere deep inside me, a tiny, highly qualified, slightly offended professor woke up from her slumber, ready to defend her territory.

"Haan ji," I thought, with a hint of indignation. "I have been doing this and teaching this for years!"

But did I express that sentiment calmly and rationally?

Of course not; that would have been far too simple.

Because apparently, when you are a relationship counsellor, your own relationship occasionally decides to become your "live practical exam," testing your skills in real-time and in the most unexpected ways.

Before I knew it, the atmosphere was charged with sarcasm. There was defensiveness in the air, and I found myself slipping into that classic, frustrating response of, "Don’t teach me. I already know!”

Ah yes, the three most dangerous words in a relationship: “I already know.”

Meanwhile, in my (inferential wife) mind, a PowerPoint presentation was running, displaying all the evidence of my frustration:

- The courses I had taught? Unwatched and gathering digital dust.

- The links to my nurturing videos? Still sitting unopened in WhatsApp, neglected like old news.

- My blogs? Probably waiting patiently for their turn since 2019, longing for a reader’s attention.

And there I was, thinking,

'So now we are appreciating somebody else explaining the very things I have been shouting—sorry, lovingly teaching—for years?"

Naturally, things remained unresolved, the tension hanging in the air like an uninvited guest.

I got up and walked back to my study chair—the same chair where, just a little while ago, I had been creating posts and lectures about understanding, communication, appreciation, and healthy relationships, the very topics that had now seemingly eluded me.

And I sat there, trying to rationalize the whole situation, grappling with my emotions and thoughts.

The relationship expert had returned to her office, attempting to regain composure and perspective.

The wife, however, was still on strike, her feelings unresolved and simmering beneath the surface.

And somewhere in between, I had to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Because maybe this is the truth nobody tells you often enough:

"Knowing relationship tools and using them effectively when your own emotional buttons are being pressed are two completely different degrees of understanding."

You can teach communication all day long…

…but when your spouse says "one sentence" in "that tone," suddenly your inner therapist takes leave, your inner child grabs the microphone, and the workshop is officially cancelled, leaving you both in a state of confusion.

Perhaps that is why relationships are such powerful teachers, constantly reminding us of our human nature.

Because "Ek Rishta Meetha Sa" does not mean every conversation is sweet and harmonious.

Sometimes it is sweet, filled with laughter and joy.

Sometimes it is spicy, igniting debates and discussions that challenge our perspectives.

And sometimes… you both need to leave the kitchen before something burns, taking a moment to cool down and reflect.

But maybe the real work of a relationship is not about striving to eliminate those moments of conflict.

Maybe it is about recognizing them for what they are.

Laughing at our own patterns, acknowledging our flaws, and embracing the beautiful messiness of love.

And eventually finding our way back—not as the expert and the student, not as the one who is right and the one who is wrong—but simply as two human beings who, despite knowing so much about love and relationships, are still learning how to love each other a little better every single day.

And yes…

I’m still waiting for him to open those videos, hoping for the day when he finally engages with the content I poured my heart into, but more importantly, I’m learning to appreciate the journey we share together, with all its ups and downs.