“just a minute honey…..” Radhika rushed towards the door to find out why her husband was calling her. “Radhika! Where is my lunch pack?” asked Raghu. Raghu is too fast in words and actions. Raghu is the GM in an automobile company in the Indian Detroit – Chennai. Radhika rushed back to kitchen and brought it. “Sorry honey, I forgot.” “At least you remember me” Raghu quipped and drove away his Black Victa.

Radhika is orthodox woman brought up in a good religious way. She had never thought anything beyond her husband. She had high esteem for him and had all the respect for him. She to an extent feared him also. Raghu on the other hand is an efficient manager. He is a caring husband. He has taken care of Radhika well. Radhika’s father had never worried about Radhika’s future after she married Raghu some 5 years ago. Raghu has given a lot of trouble to Radhika. Radhika has always taken it with utmost magnanimity. Raghu has appreciated it less. However, Raghu is not as bad as it seems.

Radhika had never felt that Raghu is going beyond his limits. She had taken everything with a smile. She was not able to tolerate one thing which Raghu does. And that is “bragging about Divya”.

Divya was Raghu’s college mate. They were working together after which Raghu moved his present company. Divya was the personal assistant for Raghu’s manager. Divya and Raghu loved each other. Due to some unforeseen circumstances they had to break up and part with their 5 year love.

After a year of the ‘break up’ Raghu married Radhika. Raghu had told Radhika well before marriage about Divya. Raghu never lied to Radhika. He never cheated her for even the slightest thing.

Even with so much of Raghu’s qualities, Radhika would get irritated with Raghu whenever he speaks about Divya.

Raghu used to say “you should see Divya. She manages so well. You are not able to even decide anything for yourself.” Raghu and Radhika were on a vacation trip in Kodaikanal. Radhika forgot something which was very important. Raghu immediately mentioned “Divya had excellent planning skills. You can’t even remember what needs to be packed when you go on a trip.” Radhika would go wild, but she never expressed. She thought, it is better not to start an argument.

For everything Raghu would point out an example comparing Radhika with Divya. From the closet arrangement to event planning to shopping he would compare both of them and tell Radhika that Divya was better. Radhika would feel irritated and think to herself “then why did you marry me!!” But she never asked.

Once Radhika wanted to try out a modern dress, which she liked. She bought an expensive one and wore it. She showed it Raghu and asked his opinion. Raghu simply said “it fits you, but it does not suit you”. He did not stop with that, he went on to say “Divya’s dressing sense is excellent. She knows how to dress her hair along with her outfit. Be it modern dress or traditional dress, she arranges herself very well”

In the past 5 years, Raghu would have mentioned about Divya at least once in two days. Radhika hated Divya to all possible extents. However, she had a secret wish to meet her. Not to fight with her, but to find out is she really what Raghu thinks. She had all thoughts about Divya. She even imagined how she would look, from the way Raghu expressed about Divya to her.

Raghu got promoted from GM to Chief Executive of a new division. The good news came in to Radhika only after two days. Raghu never told her. They went to the luncheon hosted for his promotion at the Trident near the Chennai Airport . Radhika dressed well in a silk saree. She looked excellent. But, she found every woman at the hotel in western clothing. But she was very much appreciated.

On the way back, Raghu drove to Spencer Plaza. He wanted to buy something. They were walking towards the car park. Raghu for a moment forgot where is car was. Then he found it. He started to drive back towards the exit, when suddenly a car backed up from the parking. It was a near miss. Raghu got down checking the driver, and to his surprise it was Divya. Radhika had by that time come down near Raghu. She noticed that Raghu wasn’t talking.

Divya got down and asked “How are you Raghu? I returned from France only yesterday” Radhika immediately sensed, it was Divya.

Radhika started comparing Divya with her imaginary version. Divya was gorgeous than what she had imagined. She felt little in front of Divya. She is so beautiful and educated. I should not blame Raghu for cursing me.

Raghu just said “Fine.”

Divya turned towards Radhika. Radhika immediately started talking “Are you Divya? My husband has spoken about you many times. I never thought you will look so lovely. Nice to meet you”

Divya said “Yes. Thanks. Nice to meet you too. How are you? How is Raghu doing?”

Radhika told “Very fine. He is doing well.”

Radhika and Divya had so much to talk. Raghu was simply sitting in the coffee shop. Raghu was wondering “What is this? These two women are talking as if they are known for years”

After exactly 2 hours and after these two women exchanged all the major incidents in life decided to leave. Raghu was relieved.

Divya turned towards Raghu. She said “Raghu, life has treated me well after I left you. I hope you are also fine. My husband is working in Paris for a consulting firm. We both are here on vacation.”

Raghu said “Oh!” Radhika was wondering “Why is this man behaving like this?”

Then Divya said “It is so nice to see you after so many years Raghu. We should keep in touch. Why don’t you come over to my house sometime? My husband would also be there. He would also be pleased to meet you. Probably for an evening tea or dinner”

Radhika looked pleased. She realized that Divya is all what Raghu has spoke and told her.

Before Radhika could accept, Raghu said “No Divya. I can’t come.”

Radhika looked puzzled.

Raghu proceeded “See Divya, you left me years back. And we never met and you never got in touch. Now you are well settled in life and so am I. What is going to happen if we keep in touch now? Nothing. What is the point in having a friendship when we had expected more out it? Sorry Divya. You don’t know about Radhika. She is every inch of a woman. She has never stood against me in anger. She is my life now. She healed all my wounds with patience. I have spoken to her so much about you. But she never mistook me. She always stood by me. She never questioned me as to why I am talking so much about you? She never doubted me. I don’t want to continue a relation which broke. After 5 years, meeting you and continuing this friendship is not worth it Divya. We parted long back and let it be like that. Let us not try to fix the crack in the mirror.”

Radhika was speechless. The man, who had always praised another girl in front of her, has told in front of that girl and on her face that his wife is his life. Radhika could not control tears. She felt that her husband was such a great person at heart. She did not imagine that Raghu would speak like that.

Divya was stunned but she could not speak. She made the mistake of leaving him.

Raghu was silently driving the car and Radhika was quiet. It was raining outside. Radhika asked him to stop the car. Raghu was wondering why, but he stopped. Radhika got down and started getting drenched in the rain. Raghu came near her, “Radhika what are you doing?”

Radhika said “I want to get drenched in this rain.” She held Raghu’s hand and leaned on his shoulders. Radhika felt like she had never felt before. For Raghu, he was calming down. Raghu was feeling new. Raghu was wondering why, but started walking.