Love through the ages: Different paths to lasting relationships
Love is a magical thread that brings people together. It’s the purest connection, an essence that ignites our very existence. Imagine sharing your life with someone you love for the rest of your life. Isn’t it beautiful? It’s a beautiful dance of nature as we hold each other’s vulnerabilities dear and embrace our true selves with open hearts. Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked to three people to find out what they think of love and how their love has evolved over the years.
Narayan Maharjan, 52
I was 19 when I met my wife. Thirty-three years later, our bond remains the same. It’s even stronger today. Since ours was a love marriage, we were comfortable around each other and there weren’t many awkward moments. But we came from different backgrounds. Despite it, we navigated the challenges with grace, we taught each other, and we learned from each other. Three years into our marriage, our son was born, and now we have a son and a daughter. Through the decades, we’ve weathered many storms together, yet my love for her remains the same. With each passing day, my affection for her grows. Her guidance has lightened my burdens, making life infinitely more manageable. There’s no need for a special day to express my love for her because every day spent with her is inherently special. She has a way of making each day extraordinary, just by being herself.
Bini Maharjan Dangol, 42
It has been 20 years since our marriage. We are blessed with two beautiful daughters and a son. Ours was an arranged marriage, and I vividly recall how shy he was around me. I’m grateful for how our arranged marriage blossomed into a profound love connection. We invested time in each other, allowing our bond to deepen and our understanding to grow.
For me, love must flow in both directions. It requires a mutual understanding and respect. If the other person doesn’t value your perspectives, it’s not love but compulsion. I would advise the younger generation not to reveal everything about themselves too quickly. Someone who may not have your best interests at heart could take advantage of you. Take the time to get to know each other. The journey is more enjoyable when stories unfold slowly, and the anticipation builds as you get to know each other better.
Rajkumar Nepali, 46
For me, love is something you see and feel. Unless you can see or feel a person the way they want to be seen or felt, it’s not love. When you love a person, you have the ability to hear their silence, feel their emotions, and read their eyes. That’s when you know you are in love.
I was 20 years old when I got married to my wife. It’s been 26 years, yet it still feels like yesterday. Time goes by so fast, and growing old together is the best feeling. I can see a huge difference in our love over these 26 years. My love for her today is even stronger and continues to grow as time passes by. What I’ve learned is that your partner is your strongest support system, the one who will stick by you no matter what, and you have to honor that.
Good reads
Sparks of Phoenix
Najwa Zebian
Poetry
In Sparks of Phoenix, Najwa Zebian takes her readers on a powerful journey of healing. The book is divided into six chapters, and six stages—Falling, Burning to Ashes, Sparks of Phoenix, Rising, Soaring, and finally, A New Chapter, which demonstrates a healthy response to new love as the result of authentic healing. With her characteristic vulnerability, courage, and softness, Zebian seeks to empower those who have been made to feel ashamed, silenced, or afraid; she urges them, through gentle advice and personal revelation, to raise their voices, rise, and soar.
Chiniyamha Kisicha
Durga Lal Shrestha
Poetry
First published in 1965 by Rama Prakashan, Chiniyamha Kisicha by Durga Lal Shrestha went on to become one of the most beloved collections of children’s poems in Nepal Bhasa. In its latest edition, published by Safu, the original Nepal Bhasa poems are accompanied by their translation into English by Professor Kritish Rajbhandari. Readers old and new will rediscover the joys of the poems in both languages.
Failure to Make Round Rotis
Mehak Goyal
Poetry
In this powerful debut collection, Mehak Goyal writes vividly about the experiences of young Indian women today. She explores the doubt that you carry while adulting, the toxic relationships you chase because you deem yourself unworthy, the guilt and insecurity that haunts you when you finally find that deserving love, the tug and pull of love and hate with yourself, the dark reality of arranged marriage and the unfair expectations and casual discrimination that women face every day. Every poem will resonate. Every line will draw blood.
All these titles and more are available at Bookverse, 4th Floor, Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal
- 10% off on four or more Books
- 15% off on all Nepali Books
Good Reads
Shadow and Bone
Leigh Bardugo
Fantasy
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha and the secrets of her heart.
Scion of Ikshvaku
Amish Tripathi
Mythology
Ayodhya is weakened by divisions. A terrible war has taken its toll. The damage runs deep. The demon King of Lanka, Raavan, does not impose his rule on the defeated. He, instead, imposes his trade. Money is sucked out of the empire. The Sapt Sindhu people descend into poverty, despondency, and corruption. They cry for a leader to lead them out of the morass. Little do they appreciate that the leader is among them. One whom they know. A tortured and ostracized prince. A prince they tried to break. A prince called Ram. He loves his country, even when his countrymen torment him. He stands alone for the law. His band of brothers, his Sita, and he, against the darkness of chaos.
Solitaire
Alice Oseman
Contemporary
“In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story. My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now. Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don’t know what Solitaire is trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.” Solitaire is a day-to-day narrative of a beloved character, Tori Spring, from Heartstopper.
All these titles are available at BOOKVERSE, 4th floor, Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu
10% off on four or more Books
15% off on all Nepali Books
A conversation with your future self
Life can be tough, like a storm that hits when you least expect it. Sometimes you just need someone to guide you through chaos. What if you could have a conversation with your future self? What would you want to find out? Rastrika Shakya from ApEx talked to three individuals to know their thoughts.
Bishesta Shilpakar
It’s impossible yet so interesting. What if I could have a conversation with my future self? There’s a lot to ask but most importantly, I would ask about the valuable teachings learned from life’s experiences. I’d seek advice on bouncing back from challenges, embracing change, and staying true to my authentic self. I would collect some ideas for my personal growth.
Ultimately, I would approach this conversation with a yearning to glean wisdom from the experiences that lie ahead, hoping to gain insights that could illuminate my present journey and guide me towards a future marked by growth, authenticity, and profound connections with both myself and those around me.
Anushka Shakya
If I could grab a coffee with my future self, I’d probably dive into some real talks. Like “Hey future me! Any pro tips on overcoming fear of judgment? And seriously, how do we navigate social scenes without feeling like we’re about to perform in a talent show? Moving on is tough, any tricks for not clinging to things that seem important? Emotionally maturing, where do I even start with that? And ADHD, any hacks for handling it while figuring out how to make a living? Learning from mistakes sounds good, but how do I really nail that? Also, what’s the limit to how much I can learn? Oh, and the big question: Am I, like, rich?”
Sakar Mahat
If I could have a conversation my main curiosity would be on the journey of my life and the lessons learned from the mistakes I made along the way. I would dive straight into asking if, without realizing it, I ended up hurting someone. It’s a heartfelt inquiry to understand the ripple effects of my actions. And then, the talk would get real personal. I’d want to know if the decisions I made left me feeling content or if there were moments of looking back and wishing I took a different turn. It’s not about dwelling on regrets but more like getting some insider tips from the future me on how to steer the ship with fewer hiccups. This whole conversation would be like a friendly reboot button for myself. It’s like having a future version of me exchanging notes and gearing up for a smoother journey ahead.
