Yash

Reshu was staring at me as if I had just landed from a space shuttle. I don't blame her.I took off for 6 years without any information. Taking steps to the portico of the hotel. I stood a step below her, she was still staring at my face without blinking once ''Say something Resh'' She suddenly trembled as if woken from a deep sleep.

Shikha walked past us and whispered something to Resh, which earned her a dangerous glare and then her eyes widen. Now she knows how I got her whereabouts. 2 days back my inbox pinged, expectantly I jumped on to my mobile hoping it to  be from Reshu, but it was from some Shikha. I felt doomed, was about to throw my mobile in the corner when the subject caught my eyes; 'About Reshu'

Opening the mail I went through it, she has introduced herself a Resh's business partner cum friend. WOW ! so finally my Resh is living her dream, that made my chest bulge with pride. Shikha had left her contact no. on the mail and asked me to call ASAP. I did that, she quickly briefed me about the their coming Delhi trip and asked me to be there on time. Meanwhile, like a top notch love guru she insisted to refrain myself from further mailing Resh. Frankly I was sceptical about that part. But since Shikha was acting as a bridge , I decided to go with the flow. Next few days we exchanged many messages, practically I bombarded her with questions about Reshu . Shikha answered patiently for sometime and then decided to switch her phone off getting irritated. Well, I got the message.

Shikha called me back on the day of their arrival in Delhi. I was excited like a 5 year old who has been waiting for gifts from some distant relative living abroad. I dragged mom to my room asking her to help me with clothes. But all suggestions went in bin as I was too confused selecting and rejecting clothes over and over again; ''you love her too much'' Mom asked studying my face. I smiled in reply and took a place next to her; ''yes I do, she is special''

''what so special about her, what makes her different from other girls'' I knew Mom wanted to know the depth of my feelings. ''She is my best friend. A friend who was present when I needed her . Mom she is just herself, she never pretends to be someone else . Good or bad , she is up on the face. Best part, she doesn't care what you think about her or her opinions. ''

''She is honest'' Mom summarised it for me. I just nodded . ''So are you bringing her home this time''

I jumped of the bed''Oh no mom , not so soon. I don't even know how will I propose. What if she doesn't feel the same way'' I panicked . Mom lightly slapped her head; ''Dumb! Her friend Neha said that it was always you''

''Mom, this is Reshu we are talking about. Chances are she might murder me the moment she lays her eyes on me.'' Then I was serious; ''Plus it has been 6 years, I gave her no reason to feel in a different way about me. I am scared, I can't lose her''

Mom studied me for some time and then tapped the place next to her; ''Distance, silence sometimes become the reason and realization of your true feelings. Hope for the best son and as your dad said the other day, there must be some reason that you realized your feeling after 6 yrs'' I just nodded keeping my fingers crossed waiting for the D day.

''Yash drop her to our hotel safely'' I nodded gratefully as Shikha walked passed us. My eyes moved to Reshu and her blank expression had now changed into a dangerous frown. Turning her eyes away she walked off ''Reshu please'' I pleaded , but she didn't budge for a second. I screwed my own prospects bad. Something like a panic mode was now on in my head. I could hear Ambulance siren of emergency screaming my brain. I literally imagined myself in a mental asylum being rejected by Reshu. Suddenly ,my brain was giving me lame ideas like going on my knees and plead. I don't know what was happening, I wanted to be those rugged good looking billionaire protagonist who can woo their love by arrogance and possessiveness . How do they do that ? which I myself couldn't understand . 'Kidnap her suggested my head'.No way, this is Reshu, even I think about it she might just kick me between the legs before beating me black and blue.

I watched as Reshu tried pulling the car door open but it seemed locked ; ''Shikha behave'' Reshu was loud .  Shikha said something which I couldn't hear , which made Reshu froze for a second before turning to me. Emergency bells on again. Shit !! I am dead

I don't know what Shikha said that Reshu did an about turn and walked back to me .She stood infront me with her arms folded to chest and a deep frown marring her forehead. I was suddenly like a 6 yr old child who had been caught by his teacher sticking gum to the chair. I was looking everywhere but her. God!! I am a sissy. She kept staring at me and my stupid head couldn't think of anything so I started like a parrot ''Okay Resh I am sorry'' . ''Sorry!!! Is it enough?'' she snapped.  I gulped and looked around thinking for better words . I scratched my head looking everywhere but Resh, don't it was scratching or fear of losing her something came out of my mouth; ''Resh I was a fool . I have no reason to justify myself. I can just apologise'' She watched me with stern expression. Her eyes were cold yet I didn't miss the softness in her eyes. My heart did a small somersault and I fidgeted .God!! I am worse than a girl. Reshu pressed her lips and questions started popping of my head from every corner ; 'will she smile? No, she will slap me' I gulped again, she stood watching me keenly. I couldn't look straight into her eyes . I was guilty for not being there and now I am here waiting to claim her as mine. 'Should I hug her ?' A sudden idea popped up . 'And then your parents will be hugging your corpse' chided my overprotective conscious . But its true anything is possible with this girl

Resh lowered her head slightly shaking it, was she smiling? 'No idiot you are dreaming' that was my head again. That moment , I promised a kg of sweets  to the temple near my house in case Reshu forgives me. Then the a miracle happen she hugged me. Ok 5kgs for this hug.

I stood there numb as she wrapped her arms around my middle. My heart raced, this wasn't the first time I was hugging her. Yet it appeared like the first, the feeling of so magical. Her body was close to mine, yet I felt her heart , Beating rhythmically against mine. It was like a melody of beats, sung by hearts cherished my soul and celebrated by every fibre of my body. Yes I loved her, all of her. ''You are suppose to hug me back'' she complained , I smiled wrapping my arms around her; ''missed you''

''Shut up, you said a word about missing me I kill you'' She replied still staying close. I scoffed; ''No I really did miss you and I am sorry'' I felt her smiling , she broke the hug and took a step back. Reshu gave me a good look from head to toe. ''you have turned hot Yash'' I just shook my head; ''thanks''

''Why didn't you just hug me'' asked Resh. ''I feared you might beat me to pulp'' Reshu laughed wiping the corner of her eyes; ''You are still scared of me'' . ''I always will be scared of you Resh''

Taking a step forward she cupped my cheek; ''Are you fine, I mean..'' . ''I am and now I am just over the moon '' I replied placing my palm on hers on my face. Reshu kept reading my eyes , her other hand caressed my forehead then my jaw line. She smiled again; ''you are really here and I am still your friend ''

''Yes, you were, you are and will always be my best friend. I am sorry'' I replied holding her hands in mine. Her eyes sparkled and she hugged me again, this time tight. ''I missed you Yash, it was so difficult at the time I needed you. But you just took off. I have so much to say .'' She spoke over my shoulder. ''Me too, we will live 6yrs again. I promise'' that word earned me a punch plus a push; ''You promised then, while leaving for USA. You broke it''. Holding my ears I replied; ''I will not this time''

''Just try, don't promise. Will you'' I nodded. Reshu clapped like a child; ''So where to'' I thought; ''Around the city, you in hurry'' Reshu thought; ''was before meeting you, not now. lets go'' looping her arm around mine she dragged me along; ''wait are you planning to make me walk , that to in these heels Yash Mathur''

''No, my car is in the parking . Shall we go for dinner'' Reshu smiled wide; ''where to, because I am very hungry'' She replied rubbing her tummy. I chuckled; ''Okay Resh just come along'' I decided to take her to a famous restaurant TAMASHA in Connaught Place, its one of the best places in Delhi. I knew Reshu loves a place, where she could relax and have her food along with a big session of chit chat''

Once we reached the manger directed Reshu to the table I reserved . Reshu raised a brow; ''you were sure that I would agree''  keeping my hand at the small of her back, I walked her forward; ''No , I wasn't. But I still had a hope'' Reshu made a face shaking her head like a classical dancer ; ''Wow Yash, you finally learned to be positive. Good Progress'' I just smiled . Reshu went through the menu as if she was a high profile food critic . She took another 20 minutes in cross questioning  , ordering and tiring the poor waiter. 

''So tell me, why did you stopped calling or mailing me'' Reshu shot her most awaited question . ''Resh I know this isn't an excuse. But I was kind of lost, what happened back with Sheetal broke me bad. I wanted to forget all. Be the one I was before she walked over me. I don't know Reshu, how to explain''

I felt a soft touch on my hand; ''You don't have to, I know you were hurt. But why leave people who care? May be if you stayed in touch you could have moved on earlier '' staring into her eyes I nodded. I just didn't want to break the moment transpiring between us. I have known this girl for so long but today she seemed all knew. I took my time to adore her . She has grown her hair below shoulder level. Reshu has started using little make up. It suits her, don't know if this is just my imagination or my love But Reshu seems to be the most beautiful girl I have ever met. She was talking continuously and I was just watching her antics. With every story her expression would change. she would move her hands dramatically sometimes mocking or sometimes just cursing random people. How stupid of me , it was always her. Why didn't I realize this before; ''Have you forgiven me'' I asked

''Nope. but there is no point ignoring you. I will punish you by being with you. You are finished Yash Mathur'' She pointed the fork in my direction with villainous grin. I just smiled. Reshu leaned on the couch; ''Are you in love again'' Red alert , my head snapped up. Please don't ask about the girl or I will die. Just then I got saved as waiter bought are main course . He served and left. Reshu popped a piece of kebab in her mouth; ''I am waiting who is the girl''

''The best one'' Reshu kept the piece of morsel down; ''her name, when can I meet her? will she let you continue our friendship ? '' These questions sent a wave of pleasure across my blood. I still had some hope. ''Resh no one can stop us from continuing our friendship. I promise I won't repeat my mistakes ''

''If you do, you lose me for ever''   She warned and went back eating her . Putting the spoon in my mouth I just decided to remain quite. But my heart kept screaming, wish I could tell her she was the girl I am here for her. For this friendship, for this one bond which kept me alive even when I felt like dead. I watched her enjoying her food, now I have to think about how to share my feelings with her . Do help me God!!!

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Done . Do tell me how was it. So girl is fiery and guy is scared . But even Reshu is unaware of her feelings. Roller coaster ride begins 

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