The Break-Up

Sitting in a melancholic mood Niya seemed too sure of what she was about to say and had rehearsed her words more than once.

She sat at the coffee bar waiting patiently and sighed a sign of relief when she saw Raghu.

"Raghu" - a name she was never to forget nor forgive.

Not realizing what was in store for him, Raghu smiled innocently but Niya simply frowned.

Niya cleared her throat and said “I wish to end this. This is no longer going to work between us. You’re completely not what I want. If I’ve ever hurt you, Sorry. Pl don’t trouble sending any text or calling me .It’s over. Bye. Am leaving."

 Raghu was visibly shocked and left the coffee bar only after an hour .He wondered IF he was dreaming.

Niya walked out and swiftly reached her home, fell on the bed and cried her heart out.

Niya recollected every memory of Raghu before falling asleep.

The Meet

Raghu was a civil engineer and Niya, an architect. Niya's first project was the restoration work of a church. Raghu was the junior engineer and the one appointed to look over the architect's designs .He dismissed the designs stating "A childish affair, look at the structures and too many lines. This kid needs to learn at least one more year at architecture school I guess"

Niya was upset that her debut design was a failure.

Amidst all tears she wanted to meet the over-paid, over-proud engineer once before accepting for a design change.

Raghu was not aware the architect was indeed a woman and it was Niya.

Niya brushed aside Raghu's flirting eyes and asked sternly "May I have the reasons for the dismissal of my design".

Raghu took few seconds before he realized he was indeed facing the architect he had brushed off as "childish".

Raghu said "I think you’re ...ummm...well..."

"Niya... I had sent you my designs for the restoration of the church...which I believe you have dismissed..."

Raghu continued beamingly "This is our first meet and I'm glad to have met you Niyaaa(he smiled  trying to pronounce her name perfectly)"

Niya glared at him and Raghu continued "The design you have given represents the monolithic age of churches while we are restoring a Catholic church which only uses gothic structures!"

 Niya interrupted "Ah so you have not read the complete history of the church engineer! Pl do me a favor of reading the complete history of the Church .I would meet you tomorrow”

It was love at first sight for Raghu. He updated his status in social networking site as "Cupid shoots his arrows at unprecedented time, place and upon people who are absolutely clueless of his naughtiness." To him the very name of Niya seemed attractive and used to call out to her with so much love.

Niya whisked and Raghu spent the rest of the day scanning, reading googgling the entire history of the church.

Raghu was indeed shocked that Niya had built the entire sketch in lieu of the church that existed as early as 52 A.D. Niya had done a thorough job.

Next day Raghu drove across the city, reached the office where Niya worked and spoke to her apologetically and said the design was moved for further processing to the other engineers.

Niya did not greet nor cherish the engineer's coming but simply said "Thanks!"

Three weeks later Raghu found that the lady whom he fell for instantly walked right up to him at his office and greeted him cheerfully "Hi Raghu, I have got the approval from your team and I'm in . I'm looking forward to working with you"

                                Opposites Attract

Raghu and Niya spent hours discussing every detail of the church .Over coffee-breaks, lunch, meetings their friendship grew.

Niya was a good planner, strict and disciplined. Raghu was like any other guy at 23 -carefree, reckless and happy. His boyish charm and tantrums always attracted Niya and kept her interested in him.

They would spend many evenings arguing over supremacy of architects over engineers and Niya always won.

One day Raghu remarked “I could never draw much, guess that's why I chose engineering. Had I known you before I would have fairly chosen architecture .You make even the hardest things in life light for me!”

Niya simply chirped "Ha ha ha  ... You’re drooling!! “And she winked at Raghu.

Raghu proposed to Niya on July 2010 and she took a week to decide if Raghu was the guy for her life. She could sense that they were soul mates but was weary that Raghu was indeed a striking opposite to her.

The saying "opposites attract" seemed to keep running in her mind all the time.

Niya knew Raghu was a man of her dreams but slightly clichéd!

Six months passed and the project was going steadfast and so was their relationship.

Raghu tried to change a lot for Niya and she would always acknowledge his efforts.

She was very comfortable with Raghu's caring but domineering nature and respected his tastes.

Niya knew Raghu's otherwise friendly nature always brought other friends which included women too. She would grow jealous of his friends and at times they would fight incessantly.

They would quarrel endlessly for hours and patch up within minutes.

Raghu was very fond of Niya and knew that she was the best for him. He would go every length to make sure Niya was happy - in short his love for her was unconditional.

Gifts, hang-outs, gossips, seamless roaming, and aimless talks - the love between the duo grew like the cherry blossoms after winter.

The Change       

Two years rolled by. All was fine until Niya realized she could no longer take the carelessness of Raghu. Raghu would forget, lose and haplessly regret.

Niya was shocked when Raghu coolly said he had lost the pendant she had given him.

When questioned by Niya he said "Niya...you have me dear... Is the pendant more important? I lost it while roaming the other day at night"

Niya frowned and sulkily replied "the pendant was more important".

That was the first time Raghu realized Niya was a serious person and to fall prey of her tongue was the most stinging experience.

Raghu had forgetfully shredded papers that Niya had specifically asked to be kept safe and when Niya found this she was over raged.

Niya was patient in the beginning but soon realized she could no longer take Raghu’s boyish charms and would scream at him incessantly.

Raghu would often dream about the happy days he had spent with Niya and wished hard she would be more forgiving.

"Change thy name is woman would suit Niya the best", Raghu would often cry to his close friends.

 Niya controlled her anger after continuous plea from Raghu and swore never to hurt him if he promised to be more careful in times to come.

All hell broke loose when Raghu for the nth time lost the gift Niya had got him.

Niya was never the same woman Raghu knew before. Her phone calls were stern, her messages lacked cheerfulness.

The bitterness between them only carved a boulevard between their loving hearts.

Niya could no longer forgive Raghu and he was losing his interest in being the ideal man for his woman.

One fine night Niya decided to call it quits and called Raghu to the coffee shop the next day.

All this and some painful memories, Niya fell asleep with eyes puffed with tears.

Niya wished she could have Raghu back but she no longer had the strength to hurt her selves more.  

                               Sammy’s Wedding                     

Three months had passed and Niya was still recovering from her break up. Raghu tried to call and patch at least thirty times but Niya wouldn't relent.

 Niya's best friend Sammy was getting married the next week and Niya decided to stay at Sammy's place that was in Egmore.

On the evening before the wedding there was a grand party arranged for Sammy's best friends.

Niya was more than relieved to see her best friends from school and there was lots of cheers and laughter all around her. She felt happy.

Suddenly Rishi, Niya's best friend pulled her aside from others and exclaimed “Your my best friend Niya and its high time I told you my plans with Rithika, our juniour at college.. We plan to tie the knot soon"

Niya patted Rithika friendly and said "Lovely to know that Rishi..Am happy for you guys. Do tie the knot soon ;) “.

Rishi continued "I'm yet to tell others. Will do so soon so keep the cat in the bag for a while Niyaaa!"

Niya assured "Sure Rishi... Will do so and all the best for you guys."

Niya chirped "In the end you too got hooked - Rishi! Happy for you man"

Rishi sensed that Niya was visibly disturbed and though concerned he did not bother to probe more as he knew Niya wouldn’t like unnecessary interference in her life.

After almost all the guests had left the gals planned to chat all night when Niya suddenly felt she wanted some time alone.

Niya left in a haste informing Sammy that she would be nearby garden.

                  The Love-Garden   

                                                      

Niya loved Egmore for more than one reason. To her the area around Christ College was the best as it had well planned roads and houses.

She had taken Raghu many a times and showed him and explained him every single construction and design.

To Raghu all the buildings looked simple but to see his lady-love blush and speak volumes was worth the painstaking, boring drive to the place.

Niya was a child at heart and Raghu loved to listen to her talks.

Niya knew the area well and walked on the lonely road still clad in the heavy zardozi sari in middle of the night.

She did not feel scared because she knew she would be safe because and nothing could be colder than the coldness in her heart.

She sat on a bench in the garden for a long time sobbing and thinking of Raghu.

She wished for him beside her!  She wished she was more forgiving and....

The Love Birds                                                        

Niya sobbed with her hands covering her face. She had turned pink and her face looked paler.  Niya suddenly heard footsteps and got up to leave.

At a distance she could see a silhouette of a six foot man.  Niya was visibly shocked when she heard the man call out "Niya".

Niya knew it was Raghu and she got up and turned away in anger.

"Raghu, I'm leaving. I don’t know your business here but I need to go"

"Niya hold on a minute. I need you. Why don’t you see me eye to eye and speak! I aint your enemy"

Niya turned and to look at his lady in moonlight was so exciting for him but seeing her pink cheeks and nose meant that she had cried and Raghu wished he could comfort her.

Niya continued "What brings you here at this hour! Are you mad! Don’t you feel scared! Go home now; it’s bitterly cold out here."

Raghu calmed her saying "Don’t you feel cold and I'm here because this place though boring used to be my gals dream... She always wanted a house here...You look at that building Its made of rock solid stones brought from Peru... And the road that your standing is made from not the usual stones... And...The red sand is actually oxide form of.. "

Niya was overwhelmed and she pulled Raghu close to her and bit his cheeks hard.

Raghu hugged Niya and whispered in her ears proudly “See I do remember and I love you"

Niya recovered from her happiness and amidst tears screamed "I love you too... but... The building there doesn’t have stones from Peru, the one behind you does.. It’s tough for you to remember, isn’t it....? I'm happy you at least remember that it’s my dream to have a house here ...!"

Niya nudged Raghu to walk with her and they walked round the place till dawn. Though Raghu never favored walking as he was a lazy guy he did it for his love of the woman beside him.

Joking, teasing and after a loads of push-play the couple left the place happily.