Who is a good GL?

What makes a GL? Especially a good GL or a bad one? Who has set down the norms for being a good GL?

Anika is trying or rather tried is the word, to become an excellent GL. She failed rather spectacularly in her efforts. Her numerous attempts to become the perfect GL was a flop from the word get go. She is not a morning person and wakes up crabby, delights in a full cream chai with adrak and elaichi. I will chalk it down to her earlier efforts of serving up alu poori late night before she became SSO's wedding planner.

She burns food while cooking, too many distractions like filling water or getting Sahil ready for school. At Goa she had Komal to spook her that caused her to scorch the food. With a little help from Veer.

I guess the whole track of showing Anika trying to be the perfect GL was to show that girls need not be perfect or conform to the standards laid down by our ancestors. Roles are changing in modern times and we have women in the workplace, in space and virtually every field. So what is a mere ladle in the hand or a dust bunny on the floor? Every person is blessed with some skills and not necessary to have them all. As it is women are made to feel guilty or feel guilt over the needs of the family, especially when children are involved. Agonizing over the decision to stay at home to care for the family or work, it is a juggling act to balance the home vs work life. Thankfully the mindsets are changing over the sterotypical roles that gender plays, we still have a long way to go. Blessed and forward are those who are able to achieve their goals without guilt and it would not be possible without the support of near and dear ones.

Let us look at the qualities that Anika has in spades.

. Her fierce loyalty, unconditionally loving Saahil,

. treating the family members of the great Oberoi parivaar with respect

. her ability to forgive,

. her kind heart that melts when she receives affection,

. her strength of character, her pride in herself being self made,

. her ability to put herself at risk for the sake of her love,

. remaining innocent despite having a difficult childhood,

. sacrificing her happiness,

. being practical,

. her core values despite having no one to guide her,

. a fighter or a warrior that fought against all odds that came her way,

. her agile thought process that cooks up khidkitod plans at the drop of a hat,

. a woman who stands by her man and faces head-on the troubles that bear down on her.

. How can I forget that she is a great organizer, event planner and handled all of SSO's diktats for his shaadi with aplomb.

. she questions God, fights with him, does not give up

For one who is blessed with such fine qualities what does the lack of cooking skills or a perfect home maker mean. She made efforts to cook Shivaay's favorite pasta, the fact that he was afraid to eat them is another tale, but she did make an effort to learn his favorite dishes. The fact that she wants to keep the family united and does not interfere makes Anika a great GL. Skills can be acquired but intent cannot be. Her pure soul is a light that shines bright. So happy that Shivaay wants her to remain his Anika and not change. Isn't that what marriage is all about? Accepting the other with flaws and making the best of the situation rather than trying to mould the other into one's frame.

Been meaning to make this post for a while. Would love to hear your thoughts on the same. Do add any points that I may have missed.