THERE FOR EACH OTHER

5. RESPECT

~ It's easy too follow your mind and difficult to listen to your heart~

Three days went by, and Yuv has spent every spare minute he could afford vigorously reading the novel. A Judith McNaughton romance is addictive, and now he knew why. One of his Major reasons was to meet Kashish, he wanted to know why she loved the book the way she did but the story line had also gripped him. Apart from his required hours at office, Yudhisthir hadn't left his couch for one extra second. He he missed his lunch, he missed his mother's party, and he even missed Kabir's calls for the sake of the book.

Sheridan and Stephen appeared in front of him(protagonists from the book) and he could visualize the emotions screaming in front of him. But then again, the book was roller coaster ride with bouts of emotional scenes and pain. He cried when they separated, he rejoiced when they met again. He slapped his forehead at Sherry's stupidity and his heart went out for Stephen when he realized why he was the way he was. He could not put the book down until he reached the last page, and sighed only once it finished.

Kashish was arranging the conference room in her office. They had a meeting scheduled with one of the topmost interior designer for their new branch. She was almost done when her boss entered with a lady and his other employees.

" Mrs Sinha, she is Kashish and she is going to present you what we actually have in mind for the office", her boss explained the Sinha lady and she smiled at Kashish, who returned her smile.

After half an hour of the presentation, everyone clapped for Kashish, for she was a talented orator as well as her ideas were eye catching. The lady took her notes about the points she would need to have in mind for the project. As she finished, she looked up and smiled.

"I must say, you have one hell of a talented employee, Mr. Singhaniya", She complimented Kashish's boss who smiled at her and then at Kashish. Later, she came towards Kashish and took her hands in her hands.

" It would be my pleasure to work with you girl. I appreciate your hard work today.", She complimented her and Kashish gave a awkward smile. She was bad with compliments, she always had been.

"Thank you mam", she replied formally, shaking her hand.

" It's Reema Sinha, and Mr Singhaniya you mind if I work through her that is since she has the best idea about your would be office, I could just stay in touch with her and do my work", she asked the boss and Kashish looked at her astounded. This was a huge project, and if she managed it all by herself, a raise was inevitable.

"No Mrs Sinha, I don't have any problems. Rather I an sure the project will be a huge success", he agreed and Mrs Sinha forwarded her card to Kashish. After a formal lunch, everyone retired to their cabins.

After her office timing Kashish moved to the library. Somewhere a little part in her wanted him to come and somewhere her rational mind was convincing her to not give a damn about his arrival. It was the fourth day, and last time he had taken two weeks. But it was her favourite romance book. She wanted to know his opinion about it for his view was always an alterante yet different than hers. She was curious to name at least. She didn't even have his number, not that she would have called if she had.

" Hey!", A voice behind her made her jump in fear, just outside the library gate, but as she turned, her eyes got locked into a familiar pair of brown eyes, and her posture relaxed, a small smile curving her lips up. Inside, she was delighted to see him. She had been wondering just about him, hadn't she? But outside, she kept her demeneour casual, and a little reserved, not letting him see through her.

" Hi!", She replied back, her black doe eyes twinkling.

" Umm, please don't tell me that if I haven't finished the book you won't talk to me?", He asked with a adorable face, his hands in front pockets as he shrugged his shoulders. He had finished the book but if this little twist gave him two chances to meet this girl, why not?

Kashish could not help but giggle, and walked in without answering in words. Her smiled relaxed him though, and he followed her, in. For the next three hours, he just watched her work. He noted how she smiled at older customers, helped them through the sections with patience. He also saw how the local kids loved her, they would not go to any other helper for asking anything. The old lady who owned the library was also fond of Kashish, it could be seen in the way she preferred her over others. Yuv wasn't aware but a constant goofy grin played on his face while he stared at her shamelessly.

Kashish, on the other hand, was aware of his gaze. It made her a little more conscious, but she hid it well, diverting all her concentration on her work. It was when he watched her sign the register and collect her bags, that he made his way out too.

" So?", He asked and she stopped to raise her brows.

"I haven't finished it but I am done with almost 3/4th of it. And I want to ask you something too", he spoke sheepishly while, she gestured him to go ahead, simultaneously scanning the road for a taxi.

" You recommended two books, both love stories. The first one was a tragedy and by the look of this one it also seems tragic to me", he frowned but she laughed at his concern.

Oh boy! If Yudhisthir Sinha was not smitten before, he was definitely now.

"Don't worry this one is a happy ending", she answered, and though he already knew, he pretended he didn't.

" First sentence in the last fifteen minutes, that's some progress I am making no?", he smirked, trying to tease her, and a red hue crept up her cheeks.

" You want to ask me something else?", She asked looking at him, diverting the topic and he looked at her surprised.

"How do you know?", He asked and she just shrugged, dismissing it.

"Read your face maybe", she teased him back, and it only made him grin.

"I wanted to ask that love stories are cliche, I agree and most people like them that way but why are all your choices a mix of tragic?", He questioned and she laughed at him.

" This is just the second one and you are already having an opinion?", She asked and he opened his mouth to say something but closed it again, afraid he offended her. Kashish saw his face, and shook his head at his sensitiveness.

" Relax Yudhisthir, I was just kidding. And coming to your answer, I just have a thing for tragedy. I feel connected to tragedies more than fairy tales. May be because life is a fairy tale for a very limited number of people. Mostly others reach their fairy tale after struggling through a lot of tragedies", her face was weirdly melancholic while he stared at her in awe.

This girl was nothing of the usual he had met before. The respect he had for her increased four fold. She was realistic and practical compared to others. It was her individual choice, and this was what drew him to her.

" If I tell you something will you think I am flirting?", He asked with a small smile and she stopped in her tracks, to face him.

" Depends on what you say", she answered looking in his eyes.

Prolonging the eye contact he looked deep in her eyes as if trying to read her soul.

" Of all the girls I have ever met, You are one of a kind, and I respect you the most", he mentioned, and she stood frozen, her eyes wide.

Yes people had complimented her before. But being called hot or sexy in college or even beautiful and talented is a different thing than knowing that someone respects you. Respect is a very important thing in life and the way Yudhisthir told Kashish that, it only increased the respect for him in her heart, though she didn't verbalize it as him. The doubts and the battle her mind and heart were having regarding him, lessened if not seized.

He walked with her in silence, for the next few minutes, until she reached her metro station, and then watched her climb into one of those. She didn't speak one word, not even a thank you, but her face was enough to tell him she was moved. He watched her trying to peek out of the train as it started moving, and felt this surreal happiness he had not felt in a long time.

Today was a good day. Who knew, what the future held?