Watch: A Woman's Battle Through Love, Loss And New Beginnings

What happens when you lose the one you fought the world for? Kratika and Madhav stood strong against societal norms to be together as an inter-caste couple. Despite facing opposition from Madhav's family due to their different backgrounds, they married in 2020 and built a happy life. But in 2023, tragedy struck when Kratika lost her husband, leaving her to endure continued hostility from her in-laws. Despite the challenges, she found the courage to leave and start a new life with her son, determined to raise him with the same kindness that his father had shown.

In a heartfelt conversation with SheThePeople, Kratika shares how their love story unfolded and how she navigated the deep loss that followed. Read her story in her own words.

Watch: A Woman's Battle Through Love, Loss & A New Beginning

"The first time I met my husband was at our tuition classes in 2013. We never talked much until 2016, when we reconnected on Facebook. And soon, in no time, we became inseparable. It was confirmed—we were madly in love.

On April 29, 2016, he proposed to me, and I said yes! He was very ambitious and always said that he would marry me only when he was financially independent. He started his own business in 2018 and became successful. My family had always supported our relationship, but Madahav’s family father was against us since it was intercaste. Somehow, Madhav convinced them, and we got married on May 15, 2020.
We were happy together. But my in-laws were rude to me. Despite all this, my husband and I tried to live a peaceful, happy life, ignoring the odds.

Within two months of our marriage, we got the good news—I was expecting! When we told his parents, they defamed me. ‘This cannot be our son’s child. This belongs to someone else.’ I had zero support from them during the entire pregnancy. Because of all the stress, I delivered my son within 7 months of pregnancy. Madhav looked after me in the hospital. He was my pillar of strength.

My in-laws kept abusing me, but we lived our lives happily as a family of 3. We would celebrate life and go often on vacations. We were one happy family.
Then came the darkness. We lost my husband to a heart attack in November 2023. His own father denied taking his body home. ‘He is dead now, so call for an ambulance to take his body.’ he said. It was as if Madhav was never their own son.

My struggles became worse day by day. They kept abusing me mentally and physically. They would say, ‘Ab Madhav nahi raha, jaise chahenge waise rakhenge.’ I felt very unsafe in that house. That's why I had to take the step to leave their house with my son.

In March 2023, I started living with my parents. My father and brother have been huge supporters. It has not been an easy journey without Madhav. I am trying to be the best mother to my child and hope to bring him up in this selfish world—to be as kind and heartfelt as his father."