A Commitment To Camaraderie
It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into wedlock. Corporate Citizen unlocks the story of love that has culminated into marriage, for we believe in the stability of a relationship and family unit. We bring to you real-life romances that got sealed in marriage
The term “Made for each other” acquires a whole new depth when a couple celebrates the differences as much as they the similarities. Rahul and Niyanta Korgaokar on the importance of acceptance, tolerance and honesty to keep it working
So here’s the thing about love. It has a way of finding you when you aren’t looking for it and in the most unlikely places at that.
Two energetic Beagle boys demanding Niyanta Korgaokar supply their breakfast before she does anything else in the morning, are testimony enough. “I was never a doggie person, and could never have imagined falling for a pair of noisy and hyperactive pets,” she exhales. “Thanks to Rahul, I have.”
Even if it means living with chewed up slippers, keeping up with constant mischief and not so subtle demands for attention.
That, and their customised doggie friendly meals. But she’s not complaining.
Back to the beginning
This particular love story was scripted in the hustle and bustle of the workspace when senior hospitality professional Rahul met Niyanta, the brand and communications manager. Together, there was much work to be done at Bengaluru’s Movenpick Hotel and Spa. “I had been asked to help out for a bit in that profile given my erstwhile corporate background. But they liked my work and asked me to continue in the role,” says Niyanta. In the process, both spent time together, taking key decisions and attending crucial meetings. It wasn’t long before they realised that they gelled well. The conversation had a way of flowing seamlessly, never mind their opposite personalities.
She’s spontaneous, outspoken and short-tempered; he’s patient and a man of few words. And together, they did well.
“We enjoyed a basic comfort level with each other that just happened to be,” he says. South Bombay kids both, there was a natural vibe that connected both. “In a way, our friends and colleagues saw it (the relationship) before we did. Therefore, no one was really surprised when we took it to the next level.”
The surprise, as it were, was reserved for the couple themselves when Rahul quietly confessed his feelings after a party. “But the very next day, he called me up to apologise saying that he had possibly said too much,” says Niyanta.
Given that he was moving to Goa shortly, she gave him a few months to figure things out. “I had no time for games, and was absolutely ready for the responsibility of a relationship, provided he was ‘in’ as well,” expresses Niyanta.
The space and distance brought due clarity, and soon Rahul formally popped the question with a beautiful diamond ring.
“He is the more even tempered one; I tend to react more quickly to situations and stimuli. This largely works because it doesn’t do to have two people angry at the same time”
- Niyanta
The Mantras Of Marriage
- Honesty
- Respect
- Acceptance
- Making adjustment a joyful process
Rahul and Niyanta KorgaokarThe building blocks of home
To their pleasant surprise, Niyanta’s conservative Gujarati family accepted the forthcoming nuptials easily despite the cultural differences. “I am a Maharashtrian/Konkani from an armed forces background while she comes from a traditional Gujarati business family. They are religiously inclined, we aren’t so. I am a hard-core non-vegetarian whereas they eschew meat in every form. Honestly, we did expect her family to have their reservations,” shares Rahul.
“But he has a way of winning people over. One meeting with him and my mother and relatives were absolutely convinced of the suitability of my choice,” says Niyanta.
They married in 2014 and shifted to Goa.
“I had to learn how to run a house and keep the thing running smoothly. It helped that our differing dietary preferences were never an issue; nor did he expect me to pick up after him like the typical Indian male,” says Niyanta.
Social and fun-loving, the couple has been constantly on the move thanks to Rahul’s work. “We make friends wherever we go and love entertaining over good food and conversation. That, or we pop over to their place,” says Rahul.
As things stand, he is General Manager at the luxury Hotel Aurika (by Lemon Tree), Udaipur, while Niyanta is brand and communications manager at Wonder Cement. Life is hectic but happy with busy work schedules and the previously mentioned Beagles who walked into their lives and hearts with muddy paws and wagging tails.
“Ah, the dogs,” grins Rahul. “They are another story. Niyanta had never had a pet in her life whereas I dote on dogs. But she was open to accepting them and quickly managed to fall in love with them. Today, she’s their numero uno buddy cum caretaker.”
Given the demands of both their professions, how feasible is the work-life balance? “It depends on your look at it,” says Niyanta. “Both our profiles are client-facing and come with their own peculiarities. However, even when holidays and celebrations have had to be put on hold at the last moment due to the latest developments at work, neither of us has ever made an issue out of it. Work is work; home is home. Home is meant to be a happy place; why bring any sort of negativity into it?”
From strength to strength
Married for six years now, what according to them, is the cornerstone of marriage? “Honesty,” is Rahul’s prompt take. “That’s the precursor to any sort of a meaningful equation. Everything else comes after; even if love does not last, honesty has a way of keeping the dignity and sanctity of a relationship,” he says.
Niyanta, on the other hand, would root for respect. “By that, I mean, respecting the person for they are and not what they should or could be. Respect is the first step to acceptance, bonding and all of those great things,” she says.
Conflict management is relatively simple considering their differing temperaments. “He is the more even tempered one; I tend to react more quickly to situations and stimuli. This largely works because it doesn’t do to have two people angry at the same time,” she says. To avoid an escalation of the argument or the raising of voices, the duo prefer to sort out the differences via WhatsApp chats. “Also, it is a good idea to stick to the matter on hand and not bring past arguments into the fray,” she says. “Sort it out and move on.”
(Hoping to) bring up baby
Parenthood is on the cards in the near future. Characteristically, the couple plans to take on the challenges and opportunities that accompany a young child, with hope, optimism and some planning. “There is no formal child care map as such; there never can be. One just hopes to do right by the child, give him/her the resources, space and love they need to succeed. At the same time, discipline and routine are important. Above all, it is important to enjoy the journey,” says Rahul.
And thus, here’s one more bit of gyaan about love. It exists as much in the little moments and choices you make as the big moments.
Two rambunctious Beagle dogs preparing to double up as the kiddo’s cheer squad would agree.