The Ring That Lets Me Hold My Parents Close

If memories are the intangible heritage through which we measure a life well-lived, family heirlooms are perhaps their tangible counterpart. A few such memory-laden and priceless objects have been passed down to me from my parents. I have an exquisite Kashmiri shawl, which initially belonged to my grandfather, then my father and is now mine—and a family silver teapot that has presided over important occasions and conversations for generations.

Yet, what stands out to me is a piece in my wardrobe that doesn’t sit on a hanger or in a drawer. It rests on my finger, quietly and permanently, as if a part of me. It is a small ring, set in white gold and embedded with a single diamond—the kind of understated design that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

It belonged to my father. He passed away in 1999, when I was just 23 years old. My mother became its regent at first. She was reluctant to pass it along to me just then. Perhaps she felt I wasn’t ready to bear its weight and all it stood for, or perhaps she wasn’t ready to accept the loss of its original wearer.

Rahul Khanna

I, too, felt that the ring was hers to hold onto. It was a symbol of their love and life together. In time, I came to view the ring as much hers as it had been his. Yet, about five years ago, just before I lost her during the pandemic, she gave it to me without any attendant ceremony or procession. It was a quiet, even unexpected gesture, but its deep meaning and impact was louder than any announcement or declaration.

This ring’s specialty isn’t merely that it was a personal possession of my father’s. It also bears the distinction of being the object that tied my parents together when they were engaged to be married. She lovingly placed this simple yet beautiful band on his ring finger to claim him as hers. So, in a way, by wearing the ring, I hold both of them in me. Their love, their story, their style—it has passed on to me. And now this ring, with all its storied history, has become my signature.

It’s simple yet chic. A dull white gold from which emanates the soft glint of a single diamond—it makes a strong statement without saying much at all. To me, it feels like home, like the very definition of legacy. It also mirrors my approach to design: classic, restrained, built to last.

When and if I do remove it—which I must admit is quite rare—I feel a little off. Until I slide it back on, I don’t feel complete. This ring is more than just a ring. It’s a connection to where I come from, and a reminder of whom I carry with me, at all times.

As told to Noor Anand Chawla

To read more stories from Esquire India's April 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.