A Summer, Winter & Monsoon Story: Reflections on Love, Life, and Relationships

Samar in his usual style, replied, “Koi dikkat nahi hai,” meaning no worries. Rachel added, “And Take care”.

I had the pleasure of watching a series that has left an incredible mark on my heart. It is definitely an underrated series. This wholesome masterpiece beautifully captures the essence of life’s precious moments, slices of life, exploring themes of friendship and love.

What I loved most about this series is its ability to impart valuable life lessons, making it a truly enriching experience. Especially, the main character, Samar, is a writer who has penned a book based on the series. Reading the book after watching the series allows you to relive the magic and visualize every moment.

I highly recommend this series to everyone, and if you’re an avid reader, be sure to read the book that follows. I’m confident you’ll fall in love with it!

Now, let me share some of the most beautiful lines that have stayed with me.

• When we were kids, we used to get summer vacation after studying the whole year straight to freshen up and clear our minds. So, who decided that grown-ups don’t need a vacation? I have decided, I will take my own summer vacation. In our relentless pursuit of success and wealth, we often forget to prioritize self-care and relaxation. Don’t skip vacations. They’re essential for clearing your mind, rejuvenating your spirit, and returning to your goals with renewed energy and focus.”
• This is definitely my favorite part of the book or series which is like this “Kisi ko bhulane ke liye pehle unhe acchi tarah yaad karna zaruri hai, which means, to forget someone, you must first remember them to the fullest. This profound statement highlights the bittersweet nature of memories and the process of letting go.
• This is a deep one for all the workaholics “It’s important to have some work in life, but work should not be one’s life”.
• This is going to be very relatable I must say “In some situations we know exactly what to do to make it all okay. But NO, at such times, our minds do not listen to our hearts and our hearts do not listen to our minds. And these two sit together and wait for a third person to say the exact same thing.” Can you relate? I know I can! I hope it resonates with you all as well. Let me know in the comments.
• We are living in the 21^st century, and I feel there is a concept of “Generation Gap” ingrained into people’s mind since birth that young or elders won’t understand each other’s opinions. But why won’t they understand? We can try making them understand things right. There is no harm in it. And if they don’t understand then the problem is with the person that they are not ready to understand. A great example of this is from the series, where Rachel lives with her male friends. Samar’s uncle surprisingly understands their unconventional living arrangement, recognizing that their bond is rooted in friendship, not romance. His openness to understanding is a valuable lesson for us all.

• Samar said “Your life till college is a trial mode. Do whatever you want, everything is free. And once college ends, the paid version begins. If you want to be happy, then you have to pay for it.
• Sometimes, people enter in your life unexpectedly and became a catalyst for change. Rachel is that catalyst for Samar.
• One of another female character from the series Natasha said “You are sitting in front of the ocean with your eyes staring down, and you are saying that you are fine? Something is wrong. This is poetic right? I felt the same.
• Again, one of my favorite lines from the series or book” Samar thinks of the moment way back in Mumbai when he asked Rachel, “Why does everyone wants a happy ending in stories”. To which Rachel said, “Maybe because they don’t get one in real life”.
• Samar said this to another female character from the series (Isha), “Can’t everything go back to how it was? Why does everyone have to go far away? Can’t we all grow together? I used to think all of us were like the ‘Friends’ show; we’ll always be together. She said, there is a Joey in every group, or someone who is the group’s magnet. You are that friend and the important one.
• A part of love, a scene where there is breakup between Isha and her boyfriend Raghav She asks, how was your day? He said, why are you asking me this? Isha, reflecting on their shared history, explained, “It’s my habit, that’s why.”  Another scene, When Isha asks Raghav that Will he miss her. He said Of course, he will. But she said I don’t think so you will. Now, when Raghav asked Will you miss me the she said “I will try not to.” Here it peaked the signs of beautiful love relationships and the sorrow of breakups.

• The reason you are unable to forget someone is you did not get a closure from that person. It is the care, respect and love you have for that person. And if you want closure, well, that’s something only you could give to yourself. By being happy. Because you know, that same dialogue – “Wo hoti, toh chahti ki tum hamesha khush raho”.
• This is extremely mindbending when Rachel casually inquires if Samar enjoys the rainy season. Samar expresses his dislike for it. Playfully, Rachel reassures him not to worry, nothing that he’ll have the chance to experience this season approximately 50-60 more times in his life. This describes there is not such time. If you want to enjoy, then enjoy now.
• One of the most poignant scenes in the series/book unfolds when Rachel was clicking pictures from the balcony and Samar arrives and realizes that he cannot lose Rachel and kneeled down to propose her and at the very moment, Rachel calmly expresses that she believes Rachel and Samar don’t need a specific label for their relationship. She suggests they can continue being the friends, leaving Samar with mixed emotions. In a heart-wrenching moment, Samar pretends to tie his shoelaces, creating a playful diversion to mask his true feelings. This scene may not translate fully in writing, but for those who’ve watched the series, the emotional weight is palpable.

That’s all for this blog post, which holds a special place in my heart. This series was one of the standout experiences of my 2024, and I hope you’ve gained something valuable from my reflections. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please share your feedback on this blog post. Thank you for reading!

Series link – Season 1 – https://youtu.be/MG3HQmQqmmg?si=dFQRzEV8YScpE1x8

Season 2 – https://youtu.be/17vX4us8A68?si=eSaWzODI8hBGI78F

Season 3 – https://youtu.be/wQfcKL3veEM?si=6V1ojW7qMHfzbUgk

My last blogpost link – https://www.aestheticaashi.com/2024-year-of-opportunities/