THERE FOR EACH OTHER

3.THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

~ It takes more than a few minutes to feel a bond with someone but it takes a lifetime to maintain it~

"Maa, I will get the salary today. So I will bring these items while returning. Don't worry, I might be late", Kashish informed her mother, showing her the monthly grocery list, while leaving for office and her mother nodded her head, smiling at her daughter. No matter how hard she tried to keep the issues hidden from her daughter, Kashish always sensed it somehow and took it upon her to solve the problem. Also, not to mention but she indeed was the one everyone else was dependent on. As Kashish left, Padmini went into Aashi's room who was sniffing.

" Aashi beta, remember this straight and clear. Don't ask for the gown again, especially in front of your Di. You can do without it and unnecessary expenses can be avoided .", Her strict tone made Aashi bob her head, in fear and she sighed in relief. Aashi without a word to her mother went to freshen up and then left for college without having breakfast.

Kashish entered the library, twenty minutes late again. But today she was in a good mood, because she had received her paycheck with the bonus for her hard work. Humming her all time favourite, Kabira song, she smiled at her boss apologetically before resuming her work. With her favorite friends, the books she didn't even realize when her working hours were almost done as it was close to nine. As she was busy packing her stuff, she heard a voice at her back.

" My thoughts are stars I couldn't fathom into constellations", a husky deep voice echoed and Kashish turned back to find the same 6 feet tall, Mr-not-so-old-Yuv standing behind her with a goofy smile. It had been more then two weeks since their last encounter and he had almost slipped out of her mind. She didn't actually think he would be back for a discussion, as he had called it.

" What? You forgot me, in just like two weeks?", He questioned looking at her blank face, bringing her out of her dream land and she smiled at him, before shaking her head.

"I thought you were just kidding that day", she answered embarrassed but then talking with twists and turns weren't her cup of tea.

Yuv looked at her, innocence dripping from her mature outlook and though the above statement should have wounded his male ego, he smiled at her.

"One thing that you should know about me is I never speak what I don't actually mean", he spoke softly and she just nodded, not knowing what else to reply. Why would a stranger tell something about him to her, was out of her grasping abilities anyway.

" So where are we going to have the discussion?", He winked and she stared at her watch.

" It's already late and i have some work in the market too. If we sit for the discussion now, I will be late for home", she spoke softly, not wanting to sound rude, but she could not help it either.

Yudhisthir was taken aback, no doubt in that. It wasn't that he wasn't aware of his chocolate boy looks, or his charm. He knew girls died to spend some time with him, and here was this five feet two inch girl, denying his offer, when he was the one wanting to spend some time with her.

" You mind if I accompany you to whatever work you have and then drop you home maybe, completing the discussion on the way?", He asked again unsure what her answer would be. Two meets were enough for him to know that Kashish was not the usual girls, and she was mighty unpredictable.

" I actually have to do some grocery shopping and stuff, you sure you want to come? I mean it might not be like your standards", she expressed her doubt again openly and he narrowed his eyes. Was she taunting him?

" And how do you know what's my standard?", He questioned, crossing his arms in front of his chest, and raised an eyebrow.

"By that branded shirt and watch and shoes maybe", she pointed towards him and he giggled at her to the point answer. She spoke what she saw, didn't sugercoat things and he liked it that way.

"Just like Hazel knew Augustus had written his phone number in the book?", He asked, still smiling and a reflex smile crept on her face at the mention of her most serious literary crush.

" Maybe yes", she answered softly this time, the initial hesistance from her side wearing away. Yudhisthir Sinha did have his way with girls.

" Okay!"

"Okay!"

" So Okay is gonna be our forever too?" He asked playfully trying to tease her while the question stiffened her posture.

Kashish was one of those who didn't believe in forevers. She had accepted it long ago, that nothing stayed for eternity, that the only joy was momentary.

" Who knows! When we can't decide for the next second, forever is a really long time", Kashish spoke, trying not to sound pessimistic to him. By that time they were out of the library walking towards the vegetable market.

" Ohh Kashish, it would be a previalge to have my heart broken by you",Yuv repeated in Augustus style, but it came out too melodramatic and it made her laugh at him.

" So what's your take on the book?", She asked him, picking the vegetables while he smiled. He had been waiting for this question.

" I don't know. I mean pain demands to be felt but the feelings are too intense here. From the brewing of their friendship at the support group to letting Issac break all Augustus' troffies, from their 'okay' to the letters to Mr Peter, from her vulnerability to his before death funeral, and his writing the sequel for her favourite book, it was all in awe and an unbelievable experience. The love and friendship was pure and sacred. I am going to love it everytime I read it", he spoke dreamily and she smiled. It was a first for her, looking at a man describing a love story with such keen interest and appreciation, like he had felt every moment of it.

" What's your view?", He asked all of a sudden as they finished her shopping and moved towards the metro.

" Well, all you said was true. But I love the book not because of its sacred love but because of its realistic approach. Love is never easy and death isn't evitable. My favorite chapter is the funeral before death. You know this is why we should tell everyone what we feel for them before they leave us. Flowers on their coffins would never let them know how important they were. We should do it in the lifetime. The story is realistic and not a fairytale. And anyways, I have a thing for tragedy", she answered and Yuv looked at her in surprise. He had never thought from this point of view. Two so different opinions for the same characters and the same story- well perceptions. He was bewildered, but as he let her words sink in, he smiled at her.

"You are right. This is why I wanted to discuss. I could have never thought something like that", he stated and she smiled looking for the metro to arrive.

"So what next?", He asked to her and she looked at him in surprise. He furrowed her eyebrows telling her to speak fast and she giggled at his excitement.

" You want this to continue?", Kashish questioned, a little surprised, and Yuv made a face at her. He was himself surprised at the level of comfort he had started to feel with this women he had met just twice.

" Ofcourse, I do. You know all good romantic stories, and I want to read them all. It's a win-win situation for me", Yuv rubbed his hands together, and Kashish smiled again, looking at his excitement.

It was also when she realized she had been smiling too much for her taste.

" Until you by Judith McNaughton", she answered before boarding the train and he stood with a goofy grin and an idiotic smile lingering on his face.

" Kashish madam, I don't know why, but I am certain, I want to meet you again and again", Yuv spoke to himself, and watched the metro leave the station.