Nikitha Nagraj and Bharath Raj, a happy family of three today, have a love story that defies all odds. Their journey was full of challenges, but they crossed all the hurdles, and their story sheds light on the power of resilience and the courage of finding love in unexpected places.
Nikitha, who is an IELTS and language trainer at Ufaber Edutech, met Bharath in 2015. Bharath works as a Senior Claims Officer at Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited, and they both hail from Bengaluru.
In an intimate conversation with iDiva, the couple shares insights into their relationship, discussing how they crossed paths and navigated societal expectations.
A rekindled friendship
Credits: Instagram/nikithanagraj
Nikitha and Bharath’s story began long before they officially met in February 2016. They had known each other since school, but it was a friend request on Facebookin 2015 that rekindled their connection. “Bharath sent me a friend request on Facebook, which is how we reconnected after ages. At the time, I was still in the UK pursuing my Master’s degree,” says Nikitha.
Nikitha found comfort and companionship in Bharath’s friendship, which later blossomed into something more when they finally met.
Overcoming the shadows of the past
Credits: Instagram/nikithanagraj
For Nikitha, deciding to marry Bharath was not an easy decision, considering her traumatic past in an abusive marriage. The scars of her past made her wary of stepping into another commitment.
“It was extremely difficult, as I was a child who grew up on Bollywood and Disney movies glorifying marriages and happy endings. I had never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would end up in a failed marriage, let alone an abusive one,” shares Nikitha adding that everytime she and Bharath talked about their future, she would get defensive and strongly objected to the idea of getting married again. However, Bharath’s unwavering support helped her heal, forget the past and trust in love again.
A family united in love
Credits: Instagram/nikithanagraj
When it came to discussing their marriage with Nikitha’s daughter, Ria, the process was surprisingly smooth. Ria, who had known Bharath since the beginning of their relationship, welcomed him into their lives with open arms.
Recalling Ria’s first meeting with Bharath, Nikitha says, “Ria was hesitant in the first meeting with Bharath; the second and third were okay. By the time they were meeting for the fourth or fifth time, they were inseparable. Ria was just three-year-old and she would ask me to call Bharath every night before we slept.”
Adding to it, Nikitha says that when she started to realise that she has feelings for Bharath, she wanted Ria to meet him as “I had this rule made up that if I ever find a person compatible, he will not just be my boyfriend or husband, but he would also have to be a good father.”
However, Nikitha was worried and sceptical about how to tell her daughter that after marrying Bharath, she will have to move out of her maternal home and live in a new home with her husband. Nevertheless, she promised Ria that she would ensure she could visit her grandparents every weekend.
The decision to marry and move into a new home was met with excitement and happiness from Ria, who embraced Bharath as a father with ease and comfort.
The biggest challenge
Credits: Instagram/nikithanagraj
Nikitha grew up in a traditional, orthodox household, and she was instilled with an idea that her future would revolve around being a wife and a mother and not having a career. She got married at the age of 21and was financially dependent on the other person.
“After the dissolution of my marriage, I moved to the UK for my Master’s degree. It was for the first time that I started working part-time and when I earned my first salary, it was empowering,” Nikitha says.
She adds that she never anticipated experiencing love. However, after meeting Bharath, things changed. “It was more than just infatuation; it was a deep connection that made me feel complete. It’s the kind of love where you want to share happiness, sadness, anger, joy and every emotion with that one person who makes you forget about all your worries.”
Navigating through differences
Credits: Instagram/nikithanagraj
Nikitha and Bharath celebrated their first wedding anniversary this year. According to Nikitha, the year went by really quickly, as she got married and moved to a new house, which she now calls her home. Adjusting through all the changes, from being a single mother to becoming someone’s wife and a daughter-in-law, she had to now take care of the household and not just her daughter.
As per Nikitha, she never truly understood the concept of love until she met Bharath. Their relationship was built on mutual respect and understanding. The couple navigates their disagreements with patience and understanding, always making sure to resolve conflicts before they escalate.
A bright future ahead
Credits: Instagram/nikithanagraj
As Nikitha and Bharath look towards the future, their vision is simple yet profound. They aspire to grow stronger as a couple, proving all those wrong who doubted their relationship.
“Some people consider me a hero, while others think I am a rebel. As for Bharath, some people consider him alpha male because he is married to a divorcee with a child, but on the other hand, others advise against following his path,” says Nikitha while adding that she has no regrets and has achieved a greater milestone.
“I’m a successful daughter, wife, mother, daughter-in-law, teacher and entrepreneur. I’m the happiest person there can be right now, and with this notion, I find my peace and solace,” she concludes.
Social and lead images credits: Instagram/brk._1992
