Hurtful experience: Known person will throw the first stone at us

I recently had a very bad experience from my maternal uncle,which hurt me alot. I hope a lot of you who are reading this article might have gone through similar situations in life. I had gone to my hometown for a two days quick trip as two of friends ( more like collegues ) were getting married and I had to visit them which is mandatory in friendship or made mandatory by society. Humanbeings should be social, because we have dependency on each other. Anyways, during this short span of time, we stayed the first day in my maternal uncle’s house, second day we stayed in my maternal aunt’s house and third night we boarded bus to go back to our home in Bangalore. So when I went to attend wedding in Kerala, as my boyfriend was also from the place I visited him. We had lunch and movie dates. We also visited many beaches. It was a beautiful experience, I could feel our bond growing quiet gradually but magically. This year in 2024, we will complete 5 years of togetherness, 5 years of being in a relationship. As I boarded my bus back to Bangalore, my heart was heavy because I would miss my grandparents and my boyfriend. So thinking about our beautiful days I posted some pictures with my boyfriend in instagram where my uncle, his wife and daughter is also there as my friends. Now if I wanted I could hide my posts and statuses from them, but I didnt feel the need to because it is a 5 years long relationship roughly , we studied from school together which makes me know my boyfriend from 2002, he is one of the oldest guy friend I have. In total, I didnt feel the need to hide my relationship. To give a little more background, my maternal uncle’s elder daughter who just finished 12th grade, was in a relationship from 5th standard ( as a child basically), she had posted statuses of her pictures with him before their forceful breakup by parents. Even when I used to see their pictures together I never questioned her or told her parents because we dont have any rights to ask others such questions. Its their life after all. But my uncle and family didnt have that courtesy, he instead of aksing me or my mom asked my grandmother. Even though my grandmother knew about my relationship she played dumb acting like she didnt knew it as she was staying at his house and he had quiet a temper which she was scared of. Now, she told to him that its ok if she found a guy on her own she is old enough for it and has a job. So my uncle felt weird and didnt say anything much. But he presented this whole scenario to my grandmother step by step, first he called her alone to a corner of the house, then asked her if she knew if I had any relationship, then he told her that I was having a sneaky affair! My blood boils when I explain this, but its quiet common in India to judge others if they have a relationship. Relationship is quiet normal and it is nobodys business other than the people in love. After a certain age, people are rightfully allowed to live life on their own terms, we live in democratic country. Known person will throw the first stone at you. If you are an Indian in a relationship and fearing the drama of your relatives or society, all I have to say to you is follow your heart. Its your life.