Loving Sri (ePub)

The first time she runs into him, Niharika doesn't know who he is and, assuming he is another late comer chatters all the way in the lift. Srijit,
a widower, finds the young woman refreshing. She doesn't see him again but she can't help thinking about him and
his dignified yet handsome looks.
A month goes by. One rainy day, as Niharika is rushing out during lunch break, she is almost hit by a car in front
of the office. The car turns out to belong to the handsome man from the lift. He offers her a ride and an apprehensive
Niharika, who has to return to the office in forty-five minutes, accepts it. During this ride she finds out that he is the
chairman of the construction company where she works as an interior designer.
Niharika, twenty four, is a confident young woman. Yet she is disconcerted at first because of the social and
economic gap between them. But Srijit puts her at ease. He is conscious of the ten year age difference between them
but at the same enchanted by her. As she they get to know each other she is introduced to his family. She finds out
her dead father's friend, who has been like a surrogate father to her, was Srijit's maternal uncle. His mother takes
an immediate liking to her, and his brother soon becomes a friend. A very strong bond develops between the Srijit
and Niharika, who makes no secret about her feelings for him. Srijit is more reticent. While Niharika doesn't see
age as a problem, Srijit is wary because of a disastrous first marriage. Although he had decided never to marry
again, as their relationship develops, Srijit starts to think of a future with Niharika. When Srijit is out of town for a
week, Niharika happens to go out for coffee with an acquaintance. The incident is reported to Srijit in a distorted
manner. The promiscuous behaviour of his first wife taints his judgement and he ends the relationship without
giving her a chance to explain. When she finally gets a chance to speak her mind he refuses to accept her explanation.