Samyuktha – A Journey towards Understanding Aromantic Love

Name: Samyuktha Kurian (Pseudonym)
Age: 27
Country: India

Samyuktha Kurian had always felt out of place when it came to relationships. She craved love, admiration, and care in her life, but not in the way others seemed to. The idea of someone calling her constantly, demanding her attention, or seeking physical intimacy left her feeling suffocated. She wanted companionship without the burden of romantic expectations. Samyuktha desired a monogamous relationship, built on mutual care and understanding, without the pressures of constant interaction or physical closeness.

Her best friend, Anupam, was the complete opposite. He was deeply romantic, always wanting to talk, to meet, to express his love in traditional ways that felt overbearing to Samyuktha. He would bombard her with calls, texts, and surprise visits, expecting her to reciprocate his feelings. Whenever she didn’t, he would complain, accuse her of not caring, and ask why she couldn’t be more “normal.” These constant demands and complaints made her feel even more isolated, as if something was fundamentally wrong with her.

For years, Samyuktha struggled with depression. She couldn’t understand why she didn’t desire romantic gestures the way others did, why she felt drained instead of elated by Anupam’s affections. Her friends would tell her she was lucky to have someone like him who cared so much, but they didn’t see how his love felt like a cage, trapping her in expectations she could never fulfill.

One day, at a casual gathering, she met Rishi. He was quiet, thoughtful, and seemed to exist on the fringes of the group, much like her. They started talking, and Samyuktha felt an instant connection. Rishi was different. He didn’t push for anything more than she was willing to give. Their conversations were calm, free of the intensity and neediness she had grown accustomed to. He never asked why she wasn’t more affectionate or why she didn’t want to spend every waking moment together. It was as if he understood without needing an explanation.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain and finding joy in the midst of life’s challenges.”

Vivian Greene

Over time, Samyuktha learned that Rishi was aromantic and asexual. He, too, had felt out of place, pressured to conform to a standard of love and intimacy that didn’t resonate with him. Like her, he wanted a relationship based on companionship and commitment, free from the demands of romance and physical desire. They talked about their experiences, their struggles with depression, and the weight of expectations placed on them by society and well-meaning friends.

Being with Rishi was like finding a safe harbor after years of drifting in a storm. They could spend hours in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other’s presence without the need to fill the space with words or gestures. They made a promise to each other—an unspoken vow to be there for one another, to care and support, but without overstepping boundaries or demanding more than the other could give. Their relationship was built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding, a commitment that went beyond the traditional definitions of love.

Rishi lived in a different city, and while long-distance would have been a deal-breaker for most, it suited them perfectly. They visited each other occasionally, but there was no pressure to do so constantly. They spoke on the phone when they felt like it, sent each other messages when they wanted to share something, but there was no expectation of daily contact. It was a relationship that allowed them to breathe, to be themselves, without fear of disappointing the other.

Samyuktha no longer felt trapped. She no longer felt broken or different for not wanting what others did. With Rishi, she had found a relationship that made her feel whole, accepted, and, most importantly, at peace. They had a strong commitment to each other, a bond that was based on trust and care, not romance or desire. And for the first time in her life, Samyuktha felt truly happy.