Love at first speech

Gurnaaz Kaur

Who knew a declamation competition at a bookstore 10 years ago would be the start of a beautiful love story! Reekrit Serai is married to Radhika Panickar Serai. Their absolutely casual first meeting led to an unusual story worth writing about. Seven years of courtship, three years of marriage and one baby down, the couple gets candid about all of this and more.

The beautiful beginning

Radhika: In 2007 when we met, we began as friends and neither of us ever actually proposed but it was an unsaid thing between us. 

Reekrit: The first time I saw her walking towards me I knew I would make her my wife one day. 

Towards I do

Reekrit: I proposed to Radhika in 2015. I felt it was the right thing to do since we wanted to make our relationship official; also we were done with annoying aunties pestering us with our relationship status all the time.

And life changed

Reekrit: Life has changed for better. My wardrobe is more organised, I get to control the remote. 

Radhika: On a serious note, it’s beautiful!

Living together means

Reekrit: It feels like a long sleepover. 

Radhika: We work, watch Netflix, travel and look forward to waking up to each other’s face the next morning, day after day!

To fun times

Radhika: We love watching a lot of movies. 

Reekrit: Whenever we can, we take off on unplanned vacations. 

If I could change it

Radhika: Well, on a daily basis that differs. For example, today I so wish to change the fact that tomorrow he’s off to Delhi and I’m not going to be able to see him for a couple of days.

Reekrit: I’d like to change her menu for tonight from mixed veg to butter chicken.

Couple goals

Grow together! 

Can be annoying, sometimes

Radhika: He’s a workaholic. It’s admirable but also annoying at times.

Reekrit: She’s complacent and calm, come what may.

The wow factor

Radhika: Above everything else, he’s my best friend, my confidant, my secret keeper, my partner in crime!

Reekrit: She’s a complete package! Get to know her and you’ll know!