"Life teaches us to move on, any way."

• ♡ •

Over dinner it was decided that Heer would accompany Misha for last minute shopping. Advika pressed that she wanted to join. So finally, they decided that all of them would leave once Advika came back from school and Heer from office. Kabir offered to drive them around, of course, he needed some new additions for his personal paradise- his kitchen. 

It was pretty late than usual so they all retired to the room after dinner. Heer felt rather weird making an eye contact with Kabir. Did Misha really think they were up to some action in the kitchen? Her eyes met Kabir's when she looked up. He stepped out of the washroom and looked at her. Heer casually looked away and onto her phone screen. He sat on his side of the bed.

"Misha, says anything that comes to her mind. So don't overthink about what she said." He spoke and Heer looked at him nodding.

"Bhai," they heard Misha's voice and looked at the open door of their room. She looked surprised. "You guys don't shut the door?"

"What did you come for?" Kabir asked exasperated.

"Don't get annoyed. I came to ask, where's my pillow? The small pink one?"

"Cushion." He corrected before answering, "In the cupboard that has your clothes. Bottom right." He answered. Heer looked on impressed. 

Misha smiled, "okay thanks. You too can have fun now, I won't interrupt!" She said winking at him and shutting the door.

"What the fu-k is wrong with her!" Kabir muttered annoyed.

Heer couldn't stop herself from cracking up. "Sorry... it's just weird..."

Kabir frowned turning to her. "What's weird?"

Heer shrugged, "the way she gets you to react right away."

"It's not that. But she definitely knows how to get on anyone's nerves."

"So do you," Heer muttered looking away.

"Did you say something?" Kabir frowned. He definitely heard something like so-do-you.

"Nothing, good night!" She mumbled laying down pulling up her duvet to cover her up.

Kabir looked away and switched off the night lamp. A ghost of a smile lingering on his face remembering the kitchen scene.

* * *

"Paa, you said it's unhygienic. So why are they eating it?" Advika asked as she noticed how her aunt and mother stuffed the golgappas in their mouths. Like it would disappear of they didn't immediately stuff it in their mouth.

"Women are crazy." He muttered noticing the scene from across the road. He had offered to make golgappas at home or even a visit to his restaurant but both the women wanted golgappas only from the street vendor. Advika sat on the steps outside the showroom and began blowing the bubbles from the bubble maker she had just bought. Kabir shook his head, that was nothing but soap water but well calling it magic water helped it sell well, the kids bought stuff fir its fancy names.

He looked across the street where his sister and wife were grinning at each other, laughing and stuffing golgappas in their mouth. He smiled as a memory resurfaced.

"Varsh, please this is not hygienic. If not for yourself at least for the baby don't have these. I promise, I will make them exactly like these at home."

"Kabir, shut up, I want to have these golgappas." She muttered. "Bhaiya, what are you seeing, make spicy ones for me." Varsha scolded ge vendor, gently placing her hand on her baby bump.

"Let's go to the restaurant... I will have them put a vendor just like this."

"I want these and right now. You better shut up or I swear I am going to cry."

"Don't cry please." Kabir muttered horrified. "I love you!"

She smiled, "that's better. Now, please give me your handkerchief."

Kabir beamed reaching into his pocket to pull out his handkerchief and his smile wavered as the image of his wife disappeared. He looked around to find Advika seated on the stairs. Her eyes just like her mother's. He rolled his lower lip between his teeth as a pang arose in his heart. His knuckle quickly reached the corner if his eyes to wipe the tear that threatened to fall off. He turned away not wanting Advika to see it. His gaze froze on Heer who had casually turned in his direction. He turned around pretending to be nonchalant. 

Heer's smile wavered. She definitely could make out the pain on Kabir's face. He was probably wiping a tear from his eye. When he turned away after meeting her eyes, her doubt only got deeper. She quickly smiled looking at Misha who was telling her some peculiar instance of eating golgappas with her college friends.

* * *

"Are you okay?" Heer finally asked after much thought. Something was definitely off with Kabir after the instance she caught him in when they were having golgappas. He had changed the plans suddenly and had picked up dinner from his restaurant instead of cooking at home. She had followed him into the kitchen with the dirty dishes, after dinner.

"Yes." He answered giving her a glance then proceeding to wash the dishes.

Heer simply stood by the counter, watching him was the dishes. She guessed it was about his late wife. "You miss her a lot don't you?" She asked looking at the kitchen wall.

Kabir glanced sideways at her. She was standing against the counter with her hands pressed against the counter for support, as she leaned backwards. She turned to meet his gaze. He chose not to answer and continued cleaning the dishes.

"Of course, you miss her!" Heer answered for him looking at her feet. 

"Advika misses her too. She used to tell me things about her initially, but nowadays she barely does."

"Because she has you now!" Kabir answered promptly. This was one fact that bothered him. As much as he wanted Advika to move on, he didn't want her to forget the woman who brought her to the world.

Heer smiled a little. "Yeah, maybe. Just out of curiosity, why is there no picture of her around?"

"The therapist said it would be easier for Advika to move on without being constantly reminded of Varsha. That's why we moved to this place."

Heer smiled sadly. "Life teaches us to move on, any way."

Kabir scoffed. "Life is unfair."

Heer's lips curved up once again and she tossed her head sideways to look at him. "I once read that, the only thing that makes life unfair is the delusion that it should be fair."

Kabir glanced up to meet her gaze. His eyes narrowing. Did she even understand what it was to lose a person who was the axis of your world? The person who was your reason to live. "Pain cannot be healed by philosophy." He muttered getting rid of his apron and dumping it on the counter. He turned on his heels to walk away.

"It sucks to be in pain all the time, Kabir. Trust me, make her a happy memory if you love her." Heer spoke walking past him.

Kabir tightened his jaw getting hold of her wrist. He stook a step to stand beside her. "Every coin has two sides. So does every memory. One happy and the other sad. I'd rather live a thousand hours of pain than move on."

Heer was astonished to see that fire in his eyes. He wasn't the same Kabir who'd say something and leave it at that. He was stubborn and he wanted to make a point this time. His eyes bored into hers. Heer leaned away from him scared and almost instantly he blinked leaving her hand and marched out. 

Shit, she shouldn't have touched the topic. Why did she even do something as stupid as that? Who better than her would know that memories always found a way to hurt you in the present? She shut her eyes sighing. She should just focus on Advika not Kabir. Let him be in the private hell he had created for himself. 

* * *

It was Friday night. Heer and Kabir hadn't really spoken in the past two days which was pretty normal. However, the two of them felt the thick air around them. Kabir hated how Heer brought back Varsha to his mind. He had managed to hide her somewhere deep inside his heart and mind. But, ever since Heer came into his life, memories and thoughts of Varsha resurfaced. He had thought he had moved on, but he hadn't. 

Heer regretted even trying to talk to him. Worse was that she had chosen the most sensitive topic to have a proper conversation with him. She stared at her clothes dejectedly. She didn't want to go out alone with him. Thanks to Misha who had conditioned Advika's mind to make her believe that married couples went out alone once a while. She had almost ordered them to head to a disco and have a great time. 

"Want some help picking out a dress?" Misha's voice came from behind and Misha smiled turning around. 

"I could use some!" Heer answered honestly. 

* * *

Heer looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was dressed in a short black dress. It was one of the dresses that she didn't even know existed in her closet. The dress was very simple, it was sleeveless and hugged her bust and waist and then flowed down in waves. Misha not only suggested her a long silver necklace but also lent her one of her own. Heer was not a necklace person. She didn't even wear the nuptial chain around her neck for the same reason. Maybe, there was more reason to that though. 

"You look very pretty," Advika smiled and Heer turned to her with a grin. 

"Thank you, Advi!" She placed her hand on the bed and leaned to kiss Advika on the cheek.

"Ready?" Kabir walked in to Advika's room to find Heer. His eyes landed on her back as she was leaning on the bed. Her dress raised revealing her thighs. His gaze swiftly darted from her to his hand as though trying to fix the watch on his wrist. 

"Yeah!" Heer answered straightening up and giving him a decent view. His eyes quickly took in her appearance. Her eyes were highlighted with the dark eye make up, and her lips with a dark red shade. Her cheeks appeared pinkish. Her slender arms appeared fairer owing to the black dress. 

"Let's go then," kabir muttered turning around and walking out. He was absolutely mad at Misha for filling his daughter's mind with stupid ideas. Any other day Advika would beg to come with them but for the first ever time she was excited to see them off. He, however, didn't have an arguement with his sister over the matter. She'd be married off by next week. He didn't want her to take back bitter memories. She was already drowning in wedding jitters.

"You guys took the key!" Misha asked as Heer and Kabir walked towards the door. 

"I did!" They answered in unison.

"I guess one should be sufficient, but anyway." Misha giggled.

Heer and Kabir exchanged a blank glance. Heer was weirdly very conscious about her appearance when Kabir looked at her. She wasn't the nervous kind. She had worn dresses shorter and sexier than the one she had on. She always used to carry herself well. But, then she was slender back then. Now she was more curvy. She stepped out, her three inches heel sandals clicking against the floor. 

"Loosen up, have fun and enjoy! Call me if you both get wasted!" Misha spoke quickly before Advika ran tot he door. 

"Bye, have a nice time."

"Eat dinner, brush your teeth, and sleep on time." Kabir bent down to kiss his daughter's cheek. Heer smiled, he never failed to leave her in awe with his parenting. Advika giggled nodding. He got on his feet walking towards her, she eased her smile down. She noticed he had pit on a black polo collard tshirt with dark denims. It was his usual, she suddenly felt very overdressed. The elevator bell sounded and the doors opened. They walked towards the SUV the only sound accompanying them was that of their footwear against the ground.

Heer fastened the seatbelt and rolled down the windows. She was actually looking forward to going the dance pub. Misha had got them a couple pass. It was Mumbai's most popular Dance Bar and Restaurant. She smiled as the cool breeze of the night blew agaisnt her face. 

Kabir put on the radio pulling the car out of the parking. He fastened his seatbelt as the car slowly made it to the main road. He couldn't stop himself from noticing her thighs as he put on the radio. The dress was of knee length almost but had ridden up owing  to her sitting posture. He tried not to think about it and focus on the door. It had been a while he had felt so hormonal. Heer smoothly managed to catch his eyes and unsettle his Male hormones. Damn, he had thought those hormones had gone extinct seemed like they were only dormant for a while. He hated how Heer excited him, even if it was just little.

* * *

Heer smiled ordering herself a breezer while Kabir ordered a mocktail. "You don't drink?" Heer asked casually. 

"Not anymore," Kabir answered his eyes still on the menu. One reason why he liked eating at expensive places. It always gave him a reality check about where his restaurant stood against the others. 

Heer had already guessed that would be the answer. She looked around, the place was pretty well done in terms of interiors. They had black couches and chairs that went with dark brown wooden finish tables. The walls were painted in brick brown color. There were golden lights illuminating the eating section of the huge place where they sat. There were tables set up all around the room and in the center was a huge dance floor. The music was loud but not unpleasant to the ears. Heer looked on as groups of people danced smiling and laughing. She was reminded of her college days. She went out so much. Her smile faded and she turned back at the boring person sitting across the table. Thank God, he was finally done reading that menu. But now he was on his phone.

Heer simply kept looking at him and around until the waiter placed the two plates of starters on their table. Heer's eyes bulged out of her sockets. "Six square-cut pieces for three hundred bucks." She thought out loud.

Kabir smiled, "Well, you always pay for the experience as well."

Heer looked up at him. As he analyzed the tastefully plated paneer tikka. "Have some," she heard him say pushing the plate towards her. Heer nodded, picking up a skewer. Kabor looked on as she ate.

"It's, umm, weird in a nice way. But not as good as the stuff you make."

Kabir beamed proudly at the appreciation that came very naturally from her. He picked up a skewer put it on his plate. He then used a fork to get the pieces of veggies and paneer out of the skewer. He used the fork to eat one piece of veggie at a time not bothering to squeeze the lemon over it or dip it in the chutney. Heer looked on, it was as though he was trying to guess the ingredients. "Any luck ?" She asked minutes later.

"Umm, the chutney is the deal breaker. The paneer is just really well marinated which explains your weird in a good way. But the veggies are just shallow fried in ghee and then roasted. Apart from that, the chutney is pretty well done. Everything is in proportion and the curd was slightly sour. Thus, the chutney turned out pretty good."

"Wow, do you alway do this when you eat at any place other than your restaurant?"

"Umm, mostly, it's just second nature."

"When did you first realize you like cooking?"

"Ahh," Kabir smiled taking another filled skewer onto his plate, "when I was in seventh grade."

"Wow, pretty early. So initially uour mom taught you how to cook?" 

"Well, in a way. I actually learned seeing her. I'd always be in the kitchen whenever she'd cook. It just fascinated me how individually the veggies did no good but when put together in different forms and cooked they were so tasty."

Heer smiled, "some fancy fascination."

Kabir managed to pass her a small smile, reminiscing his teenage days. "Whenever no one was around I actually tried experimenting and then had to either dispose it all or eat all of it."

Heer giggled, "your mom never found out?"

"I think she did, but she never pointed out. She just made sure I knew basic kitchen precautions."

"So, ever since then you knew you'd want to own five star restaurants?" Heer asked and proceeded to drink the breezer from her bottle

Kabir looked at her. She was pretty attractive. He couldn't remember the last time he saw a woman drinking from a bottle. But her small act made him focus on her lips. He looked at the dance floor casually, and then back at her, "Not as such. But yeah by the time I was in high school I knew I wanted to do something related to food and kitchen."

"Wow, so how did you about setting up your first restaurant?" Heer asked curiously.

"Umm, in college I started doing part time work at popular restaurants. Just few hours but that was enough learning time. I couldn't let people at home know I was doing that. I got a little pay and also learning. I put my pocket money and pay together and started doing basic culinary courses. Participated in few competitions, some dancing others cooking, gathered the prize money and did more courses. During final year internship period instead of working at some place as a commerce student, I worked as a chef. That was some real stuff. Faked internship letters, got my grades right the twisted way." Kabir chuckled remembering it all.

"Your parents never knew?"

"No, not until after graduation, when I announced that I was working as a chef in four star hotel."

Heer looked on amazed, "so, what was their reaction?"

"Dad threatened to disown me. He couldn't digest the fact that his son wanted to earn by cooking meals for others. To him that's what women were made for. I shifted out of home, into a different city...came here and worked as a chef, did part time night shifts in supermarkets. The pay to chefs is real good. On the side I started planning and saving funds for my own eatery. One of my cousins helped me with funds and took a loan and started out and things fell in place."

"Wow, that's some success story. It's so great that you knew what you wanted to do, some people don't even find a purpose in life." Heer spoke bitterly reaching to her drink.

Kabir looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze. Was she talking of herself? "Ambition and purpose in life are not the same thing." He told her sipping from his long glass. She smiled as though in mockery and then looked away. Kabir was intrigued about her. She was becoming a fascinating mystery to him. No doubt that she had a story to tell about her past. His gut told him it wasn't something easy. There was something she was hiding and hiding well. But why and what?

Some progression between these two! Would love to know your thoughts. 

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