This site was initially created by myself, Raj Babbra, in 2006 as the remembrance and celebration of Benedetta Ciaccia's memory. She tragically lost her life in the London Bombings on 7th July 2005 on a circle line train at Aldgate Station.
Since the documentary Life Without Benedetta has been created, Life With Loss has become a sister site to prevent this one losing track of being Benedetta's memorial site.
When I was 20 years old, I went out to a nightclub in central London. I saw a pretty girl dancing and we got talking. That was the first time I ever met Benny (Benedetta Ciaccia - pronounced Cha Cha). She was from Rome, Italy working in the UK as an au pair for the past couple of years. I was a computer science student at UCL and born in the UK but of an Asian background. We don't sound like we had much in common but we in fact were so in tune with each other that our paths crossing that night felt like destiny.
People talk about searching for their soul mate and I know I definitely met mine that night. Benny not only became my long term girlfriend very soon after but she was also my best friend and like a member of my family. She was just the most angelic person I ever met and she had a special way with people that made everyone so at ease in her presence.
We dated for 5 years and came very close to getting married. However, due to personal reasons, we decided to split up. It was the most painful experience for both of us but we still remained best friends. Our lives seemed to have reached a crossroads where we needed to go in different directions for a while. But our special bond kept us together despite all circumstances…what we lost as a couple we made up in unconditional love for each other in friendship.
Benny and I spoke pretty much daily and our last conversation was on July 6th 2005 via email and MSN Instant Messenger. As usual our conversations were carefree and full of laughter to speak with each other. That day I was particularly busy and had to go out so I told her that I would speak to her later and see her on Tuesday as we planned to meet for lunch. That was the last time we spoke...
Very soon after I found out that Benny was missing after the bombing, I just knew she was dead. I felt something immediately break inside me and I did not need to be officially told she had been killed to know she was gone forever. It sounds like a cliché but there are no words that can describe the pain.
I have learnt since losing Benny that our love for each goes beyond the 8 years we knew each other. It crosses from this world and into the next and from the next world back here - its eternal and unconditional. It has been very painful to make this website but I want to let Benny's memory live on and for everyone to know about the most special person I have ever met. I hope whoever you are reading this, you will feel a bit of Benny's magic through this website.
Finally I just want to say to Benny that this website is just for you and thank you for the most wonderful 8 years of my life.
