Whether it's battling a nasty bug, dealing with a loss, or just having a downright terrible day, our ride-or-die partners are there to pick us up, dust us off, and maybe even order us some takeout of our favorite food. And some of these mushy, warm stories deserve the biggest shoutout in the world.
Cozy up, get ready to hear some seriously heartwarming tales of support stories during bad moments. Stories that will make you go ‘aww’ in no time. Stories that I promise will make you believe in love all over again!
Hetvi, Bangalore, 24 :
“I had booked a hotel room with my boyfriend. After a really good time, we cuddled naked and fell asleep. I wake up to a real-life crime scene in the morning – the bedsheets are a lovely shade of red. Surprise, surprise, Aunt Flo decided to make an uninvited appearance, catching me off guard 'cause it wasn't even her scheduled time to show up. She showed up along with her bestie, cramps.
My guy sprang into action. He helped me scrub the stains off that sheet, cracked dumb jokes, and even ordered some tampons. Despite the messy situation, his playful vibe had me smiling in no time. Who knew cleaning stains could turn into a giggly moment?”
Raj, Delhi, 28 :
“My pet tortoise, Flippy, had just died. It felt like the universe had served up the worst day ever. Now, in my opinion - apart from the immediate family, nobody understands the grief, because it’s a pet after all, not a ‘family member.’ I felt like no one cared that Flippy had left us.
That same day, my girlfriend literally flew in from another country. She jetted in, no questions asked, and planted herself by my side for three whole days. She had an immense amount of work, but she did not bail on me even for a second. She was like my human security blanket, never leaving my side through the tears and the tortoise-shaped hole in my heart.
I’ve never felt that kinda love and understanding before. I mean, who else would drop everything to comfort you over a tortoise? Fast forward to today, and we're still going strong.”
Priyansh, Mumbai, 27 :
“A long-distance relationship is like playing emotional tug-of-war across continents. But lemme tell ya, my partner's a rockstar at looking after me from miles away.
One time, I was feeling kinda blah – a bit of a fever and a cranky tummy. I was still all set to drag myself to the office armed with some paracetamols ; cause I had extensive on-field work that day. "Share your location with me, babe," he said. Next thing I know, he's keeping tabs on me like a virtual guardian angel, ready to send some pickup or simply order food if needed.
Oh and even other times when I'm down and out, he’s usually reading to me over the phone and sending over playlists that could rival Spotify's finest. It's like he's sprinkling a bit of magic into my dull day, one story or a song at a time. He's a keeper.”
Anusha, Chennai, 22 :
“I got hit with the mother of all food poisonings – a puking and pooping galore, with bathroom sprints every 10 minutes. One of those trips to the bathroom didn't end so well. I didn't make it to the toilet on time and ended up having quite a bit of an accident on the floor of his bathroom. I just broke down and cried when I realized that this happened in front of my boyfriend of just 2 and a half months. I've never wanted to disappear more in my life.
But he didn't miss a beat. He calmly told me to hop in the shower while he tackled the cleanup like a pro. By the time I emerged, the bathroom was practically sparkling, and he even offered up his own clothes for me to wear.
The minute I got out of the washroom, I sat on the bed and started crying my eyes out. I was so embarrassed, it had not even been three months. At the same time, I felt loved like never before.”
Pragya, 31, Goa :
“The past month has been an absolute whirlwind. My mom's been battling serious health issues, I lost my job thanks to a massive misunderstanding - and all this in the middle of us moving houses. With all this mess of juggling doctor visits, job applications, and trying to pick out paint colors like I'm some kind of interior design guru – I kinda forgot about taking care of myself. I started skipping meals and showers due to my schedules. It wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t have that time or brain space.
My boyfriend swooped in and saved the day. He straight-up asked me when the last time I had a decent meal was, and I realized that it was a day ago, and I’d forgotten to eat today at all. And then, he said ‘'ll take care of myself as much as you do.’ He said he’ll eat meals when I eat meals and even drink water when I drink.
I really thought this was one of the things you just say - in the moment. It’s only after another day that I realized he’s actually doing it. ‘You wouldn't let me go without meals, so this is the only way I can make sure you eat!,’ he said.
I guess it's true what they say – sometimes, life just steamrolls over us, and we forget to look after ourselves. But having someone there to remind you to take a breather and grab a snack? That's priceless.”
These stories ain't the end of the road – they're just the kickoff to our own epic ones. So, why not take inspo from these heartwarming tales and craft our own lit chapters full of kindness and crazy support? Let's pinky promise to just be there and live up to the promise of ‘in sickness and in health.’
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About the Author
Hemali (she/her) is an explorer of the realms of sexuality, intimacy, and dating. She talks endlessly about the evolving landscape of feminist narratives on the big screen and makes you reanalyze the portrayal of women in mainstream culture. If you're looking for alternative conversation starters, take your pick from: Biryani, Art Fairs, or Spoken Word Poetry.
