HIDE & SEEK

by Supriya Parulekar

Love is not enough to keep two people together. It takes adjustments, compromises, resilience, and a tremendous amount of luck to make marriage work. When Radhika noticed those flirtatious texts on Abhishek’s cell, she sensed something amiss. With the help of her best friend M’, one-sided conversations with her semi-comatose mother, Radhika tries to understand where her marriage stood. A casual acquaintance with Omar Rajput, makes her realize what she is missing, romance and attention. Radhika’s marriage had begun with a love-story, and she was not yet ready to give up. Is Abhishek for keeps? Will Omar influence Radhika’s decisions? Or will Abhishek’s mother's words come true; ‘once the game of “Hide & Seek” creeps in, be sure your marriage is going downhill.’

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2022

Reviews

[Bhaswar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supriya Parulekar’s “Hide and Seek” is a moving contemporary take on the travails of modern Indian marriage, through the lens of the estranged couple Radhika and Abhishek. Their once-passionate relationship frays under weight of unmet expectations, with neither making lasting efforts to novate their bonds. Supriya’s writing is simple yet reflective and explores emotional infidelity, temptation, and the quest for renewal steering firmly clear of melodrama. It could be the familiar story of any modern couple who drift apart from the strains of modern day living and the allure of temptations, making it relatable for readers navigating long-term partnerships. Abhishek’s emergence as the weaker partner in both mind and flesh, may seem familiar trope for women’s emancipation, yet what wins in the narrative is the heft of Radhika’s character. The author firmly puts her weight behind Radhika’s cause disallowing her the weak escape in Omar’s attraction.
The author excels at nuanced character portraits, avoiding stereotypes, and pens an honest take on love’s fragile evolution. The book will be a big draw for readers seeking the quiet comfort of internal conflict rather than plot momentum. It was an engaging read and I wish Supriya all the best for future endeavours.

[Sanjeeva Maithani · Rating 5 out of 5]

We find love, fall in love and finally become one, starting to live together. However, we forget that like everything in life it also needs nourishment of care, attention, understanding, sharing ups and downs together, dividing the burdens and multiplying the joys by sharing. We get lost in the fake, superficial attractions that the world is filled with and believe that to be true happiness. We take the other half fir granted ,not giving importance to their feelings, their aspirations,their insecurities. We waste that love on other things like power, position, money, sex that give a temporary but ultimately destructive high. You look for support and understanding from your friends and near ones and sometimes even strangers. Some find the courage , finally to accept the futility of being in the dead relationship and move on. Many continue to stay for the fear of parents, society or even their kids future. This is essence of the touching novel by Supriya. I loved not just the main characters but also the minor ones as they too felt quite real. A book that feels real. Go for it.