THERE FOR EACH OTHER

6. THE FIRST DROP OF LOVE

~It's always nice to have someone in your life who can make you smile even when they are not around~

Two days, which meant it was about forty eight hours since Yudhisthir had seen Kashish and the smile that lit up his days, and the eyes that made his nights twinkle. Even though only one last chapter of the book was left, the office pressure was too much and he couldn't manage his time for the book. And now that he was finally free, he wanted to read the book but the problem was that his eyes were not ready to cooperate. It was 1 am in the night and after an exceptionally tiring day his body wanted to embrace sleep while his mind wanted to finish one more chapter at the least.

Urghh! Perks of being a book nerd!

"Just one more chapter Yuv, then you can sleep", he tried reasoning with his brain but in the time lag that his brain and heart took to fight, his body gave up and he slept off dreaming about her smile and her eyes and her laughter and her, wishing earnestly to meet her as soon as he could.

The next morning, or rather afternoon was quite lazy for Mr. lazy Sinha as he woke up finally after the snoozing of his may be hundredth alarm. Rubbing his eyes, he woke up to see the time and in a flash his orbs were wide open. It was freaking 11 am. He quickly freshened up and ran downstairs to find his mother and father sitting in the lounge happily chatting.

" Mom, why didn't you wake me up? And dad, why didn't you go to office! And where is Kabir?", He asked, half grumpy and half confused while his parents let out a chuckle, watching him like that. His hairs were still messy and his eyes had puffed a little.

"One answer to all your questions beta, it's sunday today", Reema answered pulling his cheeks and the realization dawned up on him with his mouth opened in a perfect 'o'.

Everyone again giggled eyeing his expressions and he ran upstairs dodging the further embarrassment and moreover, he had to finish the book. He had got the perfect opportunity!

Kashish on the other hand, was busy making a cottage cheese dish in the kitchen. It was Sunday and that meant Padmini wasn't allowed to do any work. The household managing committee shifted to the three siblings on Sunday, come what may. Though sometimes Aashi bickered about working even on a Sunday after a hectic college week, Kashish knew well how to play along with her siblings and get the work done. Padmini Mathur had a total rest on Sunday, and was given five star treatment, starting from bed tea to lunch in bed and dinner in bed, though that bed then acted as the dining table for all of them.

Little moments with your family actually help you to rejuvenate yourself and create happiness in the four chambers of the pumping organ.

Laying out the lunch in the dishes, Kashish instructed Aashi to set up mother's bed with the bed table and other necessities while Yash helped them in serving. While Having a hearty lunch, Aashi giggled at a TV commercial advertisement about marriage cuisine.

" Kashish Di, we will keep your marriage traditional one, like full on Indian rituals and heavy wedding trousseau kind? Because I am interested in a western style wedding", she proposed while Yash laughed at her.

"Yeah and I will do a mixture of both- traditional wedding and western reception", he smirked at Aashi who made a bad face at her brother. Padmini smiled at them but also noticed the lack of response from Kashish, who was shaking her head at her siblings.

"Kashish, you also tell your preference for your marriage. After all that would be the first one to happen", Padmini smiled at her daughter but before she could respond, Aashi barged in.

" Kashish Di, love or arrange? Tell me na, you found someone?", She asked excitedly while Kashish smiled at her sister.

" I have no idea until. And mom, stop thinking about my marriage. We have bigger and better responsibilities to complete before.", She dismissed the talk picking up the dirty plates, and wrapping up the left over food in small bowls.

"But Kashish, promise me. I won't do anything but if a proposal comes by itself, you will consider", Padmini asked her, since she was worried about her. She wanted to watch her daughter well settled in life, she wanted her to have a loving life partner, but seeing Kashish, she knew it was a far fetched dream as of now.

" Yeah mom", Kashish shrugged and moved out of the room while Aashi and Yash continued their planning for the dreamy-someday-for-sure wedding.

It was almost sleeping time and Kashish was reading a novel to pass her time when Padmini came in. It was her habit to wish all her children good night before sleeping.

"Kashish beta, you have office tomorrow right, sleep?", She asked, patting her loving daughter's head.

"Yes maa, but tomorrow I would be going to our architect's house for the discussions. So I will be going a little late", she informed her mother who smiled at her.

" Then use the time to sleep a little more", Padmini snatched the book from her daughter's hand and made her lie down properly, patting her to sleep. Switching off the lights later, she wished both Aashi and Yash a good night and then went to sleep.

Yuv on the other hand, was staring at the sky. He had finished the book few hours ago but the story was revolving in his head, along with her.

" So what's keeping my son awake at nights?", Reema, who came to check upon her son, asked standing near him.

" Kashish...", He mumbled absentmindedly and Reema slapped his shoulder playfully.

" Ouch, what the f...! s**t mom, when did you come?", Yuv was bewildered seeing his mother.

" What the f haan? I came when you were busy dreaming about your Kashish", she answered and all the colours drained out of his face.

" How do you know?", He questioned while she chuckled dragging him to the bed.

" That doesn't matter. So tell me who is this Kashish? What's her full name?", Reema asked enthusiastically and Yuv frowned.

"I don't know her full name", he confessed embarrassed and Reema laughed again.

" Love at first sight or what?", She asked and he looked at her shocked.

" Mom, it ain't love. I just don't know why feel drawn to her. Her smile, her eyes and her nature...it's so soothing and...", He kept on blabbering while Reema shook his head.

"And you say it ain't love", she remarked while he made a face.

"So tell me about her now", she asked again and Yuv gave her a broad smile before telling all that he knew about her, which was technically not even five lines. Reema burst out laughing at her romeo son while he made a cute pout.

"When you meet her tomorrow, try knowing about her. Only then I would be able to ask for her hand from her parents na..", she chuckled at her son who blushed at her statement.

"See, you are blushing and then yo say ' mom, it ain't love', hahaha", she teased him again before leaving a smiling Yuv behind who soon welcomed sleep. After all, as soon as the moon bids adeau, the sun will brighten up the day and he would be able to meet her- his Kashish!

____________________________________