Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: 9 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore In Intimate Relationships

Add as a preferred source on Google

When a honeymoon turns into a crime scene, the world takes notice. That's precisely what happened in Meghalaya, where 25‑year‑old Sonam Raghuvanshi was arrested for her suspected role in orchestrating the murder of her husband, 29‑year‑old Raja Raghuvanshi, just days after their wedding. What started as a family celebration has spiraled into a shocking tale of betrayal, violence, and emotional manipulation.

As Sonam breaks down under police interrogation, the case raises uncomfortable questions about trust, intent, and the warning signs we often overlook in intimate relationships.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

At first glance, love can feel like safety. The warmth of shared laughter, the comfort of familiarity, and the promise of support can blur the lines between healthy affection and emotional danger. Often, we tell ourselves that no relationship is perfect.

We excuse sharp words as stress, jealousy as love, or controlling behaviour as protection. But beneath the surface, these moments can signal a deeper threat to emotional and physical well-being.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

Recognizing early red flags in intimate relationships isn't about being paranoid-it's about protecting yourself before the damage becomes irreversible.

1. They Make You Feel Guilty for Having Boundaries

Boundaries are not a betrayal. They're basic to healthy interaction. But if every time you express a need-be it for personal space, time with friends, or emotional breathing room-it's met with guilt trips or emotional withdrawal, that's not love. It's manipulation. A partner who constantly makes you feel bad for asserting yourself may not respect your individuality. This can slowly chip away at your self-worth, making you more dependent on their approval and less likely to speak up in the future.

2. You're Always the One Apologizing

It's normal to make mistakes and own up to them. But when one partner is always apologizing-especially for things that aren't truly their fault-it signals an imbalance. If disagreements always end with you backtracking, even when you felt hurt or disrespected, it may mean you're walking on emotional eggshells. This can lead to a dynamic where the other person's behavior goes unchecked while your feelings remain invalidated.

3. They Need Constant Access To You

While it's flattering to be someone's favourite person, a partner who demands to know your whereabouts at all times, insists on access to your phone, or becomes irritated when you're unavailable-even for valid reasons-is displaying control, not care. Constant surveillance under the guise of "just wanting to stay connected" often hides deeper issues of distrust and possessiveness, which can spiral into emotional suffocation or abuse.

4. They Make You Doubt Your Reality

This subtle but dangerous tactic is known as gaslighting. You may start questioning your memory, your reactions, or even your sanity. Phrases like "you're overreacting," "that never happened," or "you're too sensitive" are often used to dismiss your concerns. Over time, gaslighting erodes self-confidence and can make you emotionally reliant on your partner's version of events, further increasing their control over your life.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

5. They Isolate You From Others

Initially, it might look like an exclusive kind of love-"I just want you all to myself." But slowly, you stop seeing friends, spending time with family, or engaging in your favourite activities. You're told those people don't understand you or that they're a bad influence. Isolation is one of the earliest steps in an abusive relationship. Once you're cut off from your support system, it becomes harder to seek help or even recognize that you need it.

6. Your Achievements Are Met With Dismissal or Jealousy

A partner who can't celebrate your wins isn't just insecure-they could be threatened by your independence. Whether it's a promotion at work, a compliment from someone else, or simply being praised in public, if their response is mockery, downplaying, or passive aggression, take note. This behaviour often stems from a desire to keep you small so you don't realize your worth or feel empowered to leave.

7. You Feel More Anxious Than Happy

The clearest sign that something is wrong is how you feel daily. If a relationship causes more stress, confusion, and self-doubt than joy, comfort, or growth, it's time to reevaluate. Love should not feel like a constant emotional rollercoaster. The peace you're sacrificing is not worth the temporary highs of reconciliation or affection after a conflict.

8. They Use "Love" As A Weapon

Statements like "If you loved me, you would..." or "You're hurting me by not doing what I ask" twist the meaning of love into emotional blackmail. This creates a situation where your decisions are no longer your own. Instead, you're acting out of fear-of rejection, conflict, or being labelled selfish. True love doesn't require proof through sacrifice. It respects freedom and consent.

9. You're Losing Yourself

Perhaps the most telling sign of all: you no longer recognize the person you are. You've changed-not in ways that feel like growth, but in ways that feel like shrinking. You silence your thoughts to keep the peace. You don't laugh as loudly, speak as freely, or dream as boldly. If being with someone requires you to dull your shine, it's not a relationship-it's a red flag.

Emotional abuse often leaves no bruises, but its scars run deep. The earlier you identify these patterns, the easier it is to break free. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, honest communication, and space for both people to thrive independently and together. If you're constantly questioning your worth, safety, or voice, it's not love-it's time to seek support. Listen to your instincts, lean on trusted allies, and never forget: you are allowed to protect your peace.