First time these love-birds met each other was when they were both eight years old, and from there started their perfect love story. They often met at family functions and after that only during summer vaccations.
One conversation between Ruchika Sharma and Pawan Abotti at her grandmother’s living room and they became best friends. Growing up as neighbours, their relationship blossomed at an early age.
“Our eyes met and locked, and he stared at me and I too wanted to know him. By the way he looked at me, I developed a big crush on him. We became fast friends. Ours was an easy and innocent friendship; we accepted each other as we were,” recalls Ruchika.
Ruchika and Pawan became busy making their separate name, he as a successful businessman and she as a celebrity chef with Soul. “For a few years we grew apart. We met again after five years, on my birthday, November 9, 2005. But the flame for each other was still there. Once we reacquainted, we quickly rekindled the friendship we once had, and spent hours together talking to each other. It wasn’t long before I realised I was in awe of the man my little friend had turned into. He was intelligent and easygoing with a contagious sense of humour. I was jealous as my cousin too had crush on him,” she says.
Walking down the hallway one day, she worked up the nerve to tell him she was in love with him. To her delight, he admitted he felt the same. It took a year for them to decide to start a life together. “Happly married for nine years. Close to a decade, it has been a great journey with understanding, trust and support for each other in all the situations with durability of commitment to one another,” she says.
Uniqueness of the couple’s story
Everyone knows her as a celebrity chef, food stylist, cookery show host, writer and above all Mrs South Asia International 2014, Mrs International (Finalist) 2014, Mrs India Hyderabad International 2014 and Mrs India Popular 2013, but not many know that the lady was wheelchair-bound after Ruchika had an accident on the Outer Ring Road in December 2012.
An alumnus of Wesley Girls High School and St John’s College was doing a Goldman Sachs course on entrepreneurial skills at the Indian School of Business (ISB) when she met with an accident. “I was confined to the wheelchair for four months. I was put back on my feet with a five-inch screw in my left leg. I could finish the women entrepreneurship course at ISB and was awarded for the best business plan. All thanks to to Dr Meer Reddy of Care Hospital and of course my family – my husband and my eight-year-old son Rushat Aboti,” says Ruchika.
That was when Pawan just looked at her and said, “I will be walking hand in hand with you and our son will make us run. You are queen of hearts so God will surely make things easy.” Pawan also requested doctor to hold Ruchika’s hand but sadly was not given permission.
To boost her morale, Pawan infact told her, “The day you start walking you will catwalk.” “And exactly the words came true and went for pageant and I won a series of crowns,” adds Ruchika.
Opposites attract
She being Scorpion lady and he being a Taurian man, they are opposites. Their relationship works as they love and understand each other seriously and are obsessive about love and relationship. “He is always there beside me to protect and love me in all the ups and downs of life also admires my intellect and supports me in career and other aspects of life. Balancing work, time together, can be difficult at times but trust me, communicating well is the only way to make it work. It is all worth it to get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend.”
Soulmates
Companionship. He or she always available to talk to or to listen to you.You will have a permanent sing-along, dance-along, and adventure-along buddy. Growing old with your best friend is the best thing about being married.
Sorting disagreements
Only love for each other can help in resolving fights and disagreements. “We give space to each other to calm down, then discuss issues and see the easiest way to sort it out. Most likely, we both want to get back on track as early as possible. Mostly my smile helps in getting things normal on track along with my exotic food cooked by me does the rest of wonders. If I am angry he just say ‘Rushumom’ that gets the smile on my face and I forgive and forget everything and we are back to normal.”
Starying together
Marriage is a decision to be committed through ups and downs, the good and the bad. When things are going well, commitment is easy. But true love is displayed by remaining committed even through the trials of life. “We have watched our kid enter this world, said goodbye to people we love too soon, and built a home together. Shared so many joys and sorrows together. The important thing I learned is respecting and appreciating each others work, treating each other with care, cooperating in times of work stress. Helping each other to grow.”