Secrets of the Heart: Kaivalya and Reshma Chronicles

A glimpse of something more

Life in the apartment had settled into a comfortable routine. After Reshma's decision to take on the tiffin project, things seemed to be looking up for her. The roommates went about their daily lives, unaware of the budding feelings between Kaivalya and Reshma, but there was a growing connection that neither could ignore.

It was a quiet afternoon, and Kaivalya found himself drawn to the kitchen, where Reshma was preparing some new dishes. She had mentioned experimenting with different recipes to keep the tiffin service interesting for her clients. As he leaned against the doorway, he couldn't help but admire the focus on her face as she chopped vegetables with practiced ease.

"Need a hand?" Kaivalya offered, stepping into the kitchen.

Reshma glanced up, slightly startled, then smiled. "Sure, you can help with these onions. Just be careful not to cry," she teased.

Kaivalya chuckled, grabbing a knife. "I'll try my best."

As they worked together, the usual playful banter filled the space. But beneath the lighthearted exchanges, Kaivalya's thoughts were racing. He had been noticing Reshma more lately—how she carried herself with quiet strength, her resilience in the face of challenges, and the way her eyes lit up when she talked about things she was passionate about.

"So, have you ever thought about getting back into writing?" Kaivalya asked casually, trying to sound nonchalant.

Reshma looked up in surprise. "Writing? It's been a while since I've written anything serious. Why do you ask?"

"Well," Kaivalya began, "I came across this literature competition the other day. It's for short stories. The top prize is a week-long trip to Edinburgh for a writing retreat. I thought you might be interested."

Reshma paused, the knife still in her hand. "Edinburgh? That sounds amazing, but... I don't know, Kaivalya. I haven't written in so long. What if I'm not good enough?"

Kaivalya set down the onion he was chopping and turned to face her. "Reshma, you're one of the most talented people I know. You've been through a lot, but writing was always your thing, right? Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with that part of yourself. Besides, what's the harm in trying?"

Reshma bit her lip, considering his words. "I suppose... it could be worth a shot. But Edinburgh? That's a big deal."

Kaivalya smiled, his voice gentle. "You've faced bigger challenges, Reshma. And if you get shortlisted, we'll all be here to cheer you on. Think about it."

For a moment, Reshma just stared at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. Kaivalya had always been supportive, but this was different. He was encouraging her to dream again, to take a risk, and to believe in herself.

"Thank you, Kaivalya," she said softly. "I'll think about it. I've been so focused on getting through each day that I forgot what it's like to look forward to something." He smiled, the warmth in his eyes making her feel seen in a way she hadn't in a long time. "Take your time. No pressure. Just know that whatever you decide, you've got my support."Just then her gaze landed on the onions he was suppose to cut. Seeing them smothered with his uneven cut she yelled "Get out of my Kitchen Kaivalya. What have you done!"

The living room was in chaos. Ashu, with his arms crossed and a defiant look on his face, stood in the middle of the room, trying to justify why inviting Kinjal over for dinner was a great idea. The rest of the roommates, however, were not having it.

"Are you out of your mind, Ashu?" Meenal shouted, her hands on her hips. "We barely have enough food for ourselves, and you want to add one more person to the mix?"

"One minute," Sujay chimed in, "we all remember the chaos ensued with the fruit salad when you brought Kinjal over for a date last time , don't we?"

Anna shook his head, siding with Meenal and Sujay. "And let's not forget, she's not even that close to us. What if she feels out of place?"

Ashu groaned, exasperated. "You guys are overreacting! Kinjal's cool, and she won't mind. Plus, she's been feeling down lately, and I thought it would be nice to cheer her up."

Kaivalya leaned against the wall, quietly observing the argument unfold. He could see both sides—Ashu genuinely wanted to do something kind for Kinjal, but the others had valid concerns too. As much as he wanted to stay out of it, his thoughts kept drifting back to Reshma, who was quietly sitting on the observing from the kitchen, watching the scene with a thoughtful expression.

Reshma, as always, wasn't jumping into the fray. Instead, she was thinking things through, considering everyone's perspective. Kaivalya admired that about her—how she never rushed into anything, always weighing her options carefully. It was one of the many things that made her so different from the rest of them. She wasn't loud or brash, but she had a quiet strength that drew him in.

Finally, Reshma spoke up, her voice cutting through the noise. "Ashu, I get that you want to help Kinjal, but maybe we could do something simpler? Like, why not invite her for tea or something first, before committing to a full dinner?"

Kaivalya couldn't help but smile as he watched the room fall silent. Reshma's suggestion was perfect—kind, considerate, and reasonable. Ashu's defensive posture softened, and he uncrossed his arms, nodding slowly.

"Yeah... that might be better," Ashu conceded, his tone less confrontational now. "Maybe we can plan something smaller for now."

The tension in the room eased, and Kaivalya felt a swell of pride as he glanced at Reshma. She had a way of bringing calm to the chaos, of finding the middle ground that everyone could agree on. In moments like this, Kaivalya couldn't help but adore her even more. She was like the glue that held their quirky little group together, and he found himself falling for her more with each passing day.

As the roommates moved on from the argument and started discussing what to cook for dinner, Kaivalya remained where he was, his gaze lingering on Reshma. She caught him staring and gave him a small, shy smile, which made his heart skip a beat. Maybe one day, he'd find the courage to tell her how much he admired her, but for now, he was content just being near her, knowing that she was there to keep them all grounded