Kashi Vishwanath: Two Eclipsed Hearts 💕

CHAPTER 04 : "A GIFT OF LOVE"

The next day was Sunday, a day off from work. So Kashi had invited Veer over for dinner. It was a simple yet heartfelt gesture, something she had planned with quiet excitement. She wanted to convey just how much his presence and friendship meant to her. More importantly, she wanted him to meet her mother.

From early morning, she immersed herself in preparations. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of spices, the gentle hiss of the pressure cooker, and the occasional clink of utensils. Every dish Kashi prepared carried a part of her heart, a token of gratitude for the man who had become a constant source of comfort in her chaotic world.

As evening painted the sky in hues of amber and rose, Vishwanath arrived at her modest home. Dressed in his usual understated yet elegant attire.

From a distance, his eyes caught a glimpse of Kashi. She was standing beside the kitchen window, a faint glow from the stove lighting up her face as she concentrated on stirring something in a pan.

He watched her for a moment, his expression softening. There was something magnetic about her, the way she carried herself, the way she cared for others. He admired everything about her, her resilience, her quiet strength, the love she poured into taking care of her ailing mother. It was a stark contrast to the coldness of her father, Ravi, who had never once shown her and her mother an ounce of compassion.

For weeks now, Vishwanath had been living a double life, investigating the financial fraud crippling his company. But in the process, he had stumbled upon something he hadn't expected: Kashi. A girl juggling two jobs, running a household, and caring for her mother with unwavering love. Amidst all this, she still managed to smile. Still carried a gentleness that pulled him in deeper each day.

She deserved better, and he was quietly, firmly determined to make sure she got exactly that.

With these thoughts in mind, he reached the door and gave it a gentle knock.

A moment later, the door opened to reveal Kashi, standing there with a warm, welcoming smile lighting up her face. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow suit that made her look like a ray of sunshine, soft, radiant, and full of warmth. Her long hair was tied in a loose braid, a delicate bindi adorned her forehead, and a subtle fragrance of rose water lingered in the air around her.

"Welcome, Veer ji! Andar aaiye na.... (Please come inside) she said in her sweet, excited voice, eyes twinkling with an adorable smile.

Vishwanath smiled back, a rare twinkle lighting up his otherwise calm eyes.

They stepped inside. The small home was tidy, warm, and filled with the comforting scent of home-cooked food. Kashi offered him water first and asked if he wanted tea or coffee.

Vishwanath shook his head gently, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Nahi, main seedha dinner karunga abb," (No, I will have dinner directly now) he said politely, not wanting to trouble her any further.

"Theek hai, Veer ji. Aap haath dho lijiye. Aaj aapko main apne haathon ka bana hua khana khilane wali hoon," (Alright, Veer ji. You can wash your hands. Today, I'm going to serve you food made by my own hands) she replied with bubbling excitement, her voice carrying warmth and affection.

Vishwanath's smile deepened at her enthusiasm. There was something about seeing her so genuinely happy, it soothed a part of him he didn't even realize needed comfort. He couldn't explain it, but being around her brought a strange sense of peace to him, something he had never experienced before, not even as a king surrounded by luxury and power. Her presence felt grounding, like a calm in the middle of the storm that was his life.

She pointed towards the nearby sink, and he quietly made his way there to wash his hands, while Kashi disappeared into the kitchen for the final touches, before serving the meal.