"Nisha." A deep voice filled with concern reached her ears as her head perked up. 
The pair of brown orbs met hers, worry surfacing on them. 
"What's wrong?" He approached her immediately, holding her shoulders and making her face him. She had stopped crying a few minutes ago but her eyes were puffy enough for him to know.
"I just had a bad day." She said as his throat worked for a few seconds.

Without a further word, he pulled her against him. 

Her head rested against his chest as he caressed her hair, "It's okay... It's okay."
"It's not." She mouthed to herself, closing her eyes. His scent engulfed her, giving her the epitome of comfort. 
"People will stare." She whispered but he shushed her with a kiss on the crown of her head, "Don't care." 

"Do you want to share what happened?" He asked as she shook her head. 
"Okay. Then we can stay like this until you feel better." 

She snuggled closer to him, letting tears roll down her cheeks.

His palms delicately brushed against her arm as he quietly stroked her back while she cried. His heart ached while she cried on his chest as if he was being stabbed repeatedly in the same spot.
He had never seen such a side to Nisha. 

It was sudden and he didn't know the reason either.

Even if he tried, he couldn't find any solutions to the abrupt situation. 

After a few moments, she stopped crying and backed away as he fixed her messy hair strands. She didn't meet his eyes as he asked, "Is it too bad?" 
Not hearing any response, he sighed. 

She met his gaze, "Kabir..."
"Yes?" He leaned in closer, analyzing her face as she asked, "I'm qualified enough, right?" 
A soft furrow appeared between his brows at her question as he continued, "Of course you are. You're more than qualified. Why are you even questioning that? It's a universal truth and nobody can change that you're supreme. Of all the women I know, you're the bravest one I've seen besides my mother. No wonder I fell for you."

She smiled a little at his last sentence. 
"I didn't ask you to exaggerate it that much."
"It's all the truth so why not say it at once?" He smiled.

He noticed her face and whispered, "Your lashes are pretty." 
"Why are you noticing that?" She frowned as he hummed, "I don't know. Do you feel better now after crying it out?" 
She nodded and waited for a few moments before asking, "Aren't you annoyed? I made you come here and cried but am not telling you the reason. I took up lots of your time." 

He seemed confused at her question and she couldn't understand why. 

"Why would I be annoyed? You're having a hard time and you said that to me. Isn't that enough? Not all worries can be shared with other people. I'm looking at the situation from your point of view." 
Her lips parted at his statement but no words escaped.

She took a deep breath, "Are you real?" 
"Of course. I'm real and I'm yours—" He stopped when she gave him a blank look. Clearing his throat, he smiled a little, "As long as you cry on my chest, it's all fine. Rely on me, I'll be your chest to cry on whenever you feel sad. And if you want to share any day, I'll be your... journal." 

"You're gonna my journal?" She asked as he nodded. 

Somehow, the painful feeling in her chest that resided almost an hour ago had eased. She felt lighter. 
Even though the essence of the bitter incident lingered, his bright presence somehow fought off the darkness around her. That was a huge thing she had realized. 

The situation that occurred couldn't be amended. He couldn't fix the fact she was jobless but there was a comfort she didn't know she needed in such situations that he provided her with. A warm feeling enclosed her heart, giving her hope that this could pass. 
He felt like the escape from all her worries.

He didn't have to do a thing. He could simply exist and every worry of her life would be wiped out. That's how much he mattered to her.

And it was only then that she realized it.

She thought she had fallen for a stupid guy with no expectations. But now, she wondered if he was worth having no expectations for. 
Because he failed every prejudice she had dropped him into. 

She wanted to speak but his phone rang, causing his attention to divert briefly. His soft features turned into a sharp glare at the phone as he turned it off and faced her — his expression returning back to the soft and considerate Kabir. 

The caring look in his eyes and the subtle tilt of his lips gave her reassurance as he said, "I'm here for you, Nisha. Whenever and wherever you need, I might not always be there but I'll try my best to be. Rest assured. You have a Kabir for yourself." 

Tears brimmed at the back of her eyes and this time, it wasn't for the incident a while ago. But because of his words. 
Even if he just sat there and watched her cry, she'd be touched. But he went ten steps ahead and again rummaged through the section of her heart. 

———

"Oh my god, Nisha? How did that happen?" She heard her Maa ask and sighed, narrating the whole story to them. Both her parents seemed to be despondent about the situation but they didn't say much to her.
"It's fine. Incidents like this occur now and then, you'll be fine, Nisha." Her father said and her mother had encouraged her that her future was still bright and open. 

She had also informed Priti about it who came rushing to her house. 
"You don't want to tell Kabir because he's busy? I don't think that's right."
"I know." Nisha sighed.
"I should tell him but he'll be too worried. Once he is done launching his business and they are slightly stable, I'll tell him. Maybe a week later." 

"By the way, I have another confession to make since we're already on that page." She casually spoke as Priti frowned, "What is it?" 
"I think... I'm seriously into Kabir. And we're dating." 

—Time skip—

"So... it's been nearly two weeks you both are dating and I had no idea?!"  Priti stared at her in betrayal as Nisha nodded. 
She blinked twice, "I didn't want you to fuss about it before... so." 
"Shit! I have to prepare for your marriage and baby shower—"
"STOP! That's the reason I didn't tell you. Maa still doesn't approve of Kabir. Though, she does seem slightly impressed by his qualifications... I don't know if she'll agree when I tell her we're dating." 

"She won't agree, isn't that obvious?" Priti arched an eyebrow, relaxing on the headboard of the bed. The younger one sighed, "What should I do?" 
"Maybe, once Kabir's career is settled. He's on his way to success. There might be ups and downs but once he's on the right track, maybe Maa will be more assured. He's a good person, we all know that. The only reason Maa would hesitate is for his uncertain career." 

"Right... entrepreneurship is uncertain. Either you earn or lose." Nisha whispered, looking down.
"Do you think I'm breaking my commitment to Maa?" 
Priti seemed to contemplate her words for a long time.
"What you promised her is risky. Technically, you aren't breaking your commitment. If they approve of Kabir and are content, then you will still be abiding by your promise. Don't worry." Priti smiled, earning a small hum from her younger sister. 

"What do you plan to do about your job?" She asked. 
"I want to take a small break and think thoroughly. There are a few other companies I can apply for but I don't know. The incident engraved a deep trust issue in me." She spoke in a low voice. 

Priti stroked her younger sister's back, "It's alright, Nisha. With ups and downs, life progresses. Even the government officers are all being recruited by money and nepotism. The country is seriously going to a fucked up state." 

After a few beats of a void silence, Priti suddenly asked, "But Nisha..." 

She looked around the bedroom and whisper-asked, "How far did you both go?" 

Nisha's eyes widened at her elder sister's question. 
"What the fuck, Priti-pi?!" 

—Two weeks later—

"Adil, don't you think girls like flowers?" Kabir asked as the twelve-year-old hummed on the phone. 
"Did you call me to ask that?" The younger one's voice reached his ears. 
"Yes. Does Nisha like flowers?"
"How come you still haven't coaxed my sister? Are you that slow?"
"Come on. I told you I'm close." He rolled his eyes, sitting on the sofa. His mother was pouring water from the jug at the dining table nearby and giving him weird stares.

But he was too busy for that. 

"Yeah, she loves flowers. And also food. Her favourite flowers are tulips." 
"Noted." 

After a brief silence, the younger one spoke, "When will you help me friend Soha?" 
"Just find her social media somehow."
"She's just twelve. How would she have socials?"
"How old even are you?!" Kabir frowned, earning a gasp of realization from the other side. 
"Right."

He picked on the sofa's loose threads and continued, "Give her chocolates. Shams said Soha is crazy for chocolates." 
"Do you think I can marry her with chocolates?" Adil's question made Kabir blink blatantly several times. 
"If marrying a woman was that easy, I would've had ten kids with your sister already."
"Ew... you're disgusting. Why do you think that far?" 

Kabir shrugged, "You don't get the heart of a true man who loves. You're yet to man up." 
Adil scoffed loudly from the other side, "I'm hanging up. You're not the right choice for my sister." 

Kabir was about to speak but gasped when the call hung up.
"What the hell did he mean?!"

"Kabir, why are you on the phone all the time?" His mother asked as he gulped, "Work call."
"Oh, work call about having kids. Do you think I can't hear just because you're talking in a low voice?"

His spine stiffened at her statement. She sat beside him and asked, "Who's getting married now? Why are you the only single one?" 

After processing his mother's words for a few seconds, he heaved out a sigh of relief. She didn't hear him properly. 
"Maa, don't worry. Let me make sure our project is a success, I'll then focus on marriage." 
"Till then, all girls of your criteria will be married. I should just contact Rina—"
"NO!" 

"Anyway, that's not why I came to you. Your uncle keeps calling these days." His mother spoke, giving him a subtle look. 
Sighing, he shook his head, "Yeah, I know... work's a little busy... I'll call him back." 
"It's always such a property headache. Once we're done signing these things, we'll be done."
"But do you think they'll give in so easily? They'll unfairly demand for a higher property. Of course, that's how it has always been." Kabir sighed.

His mother nodded, "Don't worry. We elders will handle it. I know your uncles and aunts keep calling you because your father ignores his calls. But don't worry too much, son. Just live your life... if needed, we'll just cut them off. Not like they've ever been true anyways." 

Kabir's phone rang, causing their conversation to be disrupted. He picked it up and talked for a few moments, "it's a work call. Gotta go!" 

Pressing a soft kiss on his mother's forehead, he rushed out of the house — attempting to shrug off the anxious thoughts that had occupied his mind regarding his family issues.

On his way, he dropped a few texts to Nisha before smiling to himself.
"I hope she's doing better than before." 

These days, Nisha sounded slightly depressed but he couldn't do much for her due to his busy schedule. It had been a week since they launched their new project. Many clients came and thankfully, their business was growing. 
He was propitious about the upcoming results. 

———

Nisha heaved out a tired huff, staring at the blank computer screen. Ever since that incident, she hadn't sat to work. Her heart ached every time she tried to sit and recollect any new ideas. The painful memories from that day resurfaced at the back of her head.

Her attention was diverted from the bitter thoughts to her pinging phone. 

"What did he message me?" She asked herself, smiling when Kabir's messages surfaced on her phone screen. She replied to them and turned off the phone. 
"I wonder when he'll be free... wait, let me check his website." With a soft smile, she checked his new website and scrolled through it, humming a song until her eyes dropped on a quote decorated in italic font. 

'Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs.' — Farrah Gray

"Is this the quote he lives by?" She stared at the phone screen patiently, various thoughts erupting in her mind. Time ticked off and at some point, her phone screen turned black but the chain of her thoughts wasn't disrupted. 
She blinked twice, coming out of her trance. 

She had been staying home without any goal to do anything. Interior designing was her thing but she had nearly lost hope for it. 

"Can I do something by myself..." She asked herself, an abrupt thought occurring to her. 

She reminisced how Kabir took a grave risk and started his career as an entrepreneur after doing courses and learning practical implications about the matter. If he could come this far, she could give it a try as well, right? 

His confident face flashed in her mind as she realized how scary the thought seemed.

If she opened a small interior designing website by herself, would it be successful?

"Never mind." She shrugged off the thought. 
"It's just unearthly..."

—Time skip—

"Let me see your face." Nisha frowned at the screen, hearing a laugh from the other side. The view on her screen shifted from a black screen, revealing a familiar face. 
A smile adorned her face at the sight, "Kabir." 
He was lying on the bed, holding the phone up as she gasped, "You're... shirtless." 
"Yep, you're the one that pestered me to show me my face."
"Your face, not your nake— I mean..." 

He chortled seeing her embarrassed face. Pulling the phone closer to his face, he asked, "We haven't seen each other in so long. I miss you, Nisha." 
"Stop being so transparent, it's... awkward." She frowned. 
"I don't like to hold in words." He said, blinking casually as she hummed, "Are you too busy?" 
"I don't know. Considering I shower at two a.m. every day...  guess I am." 

She watched him ruffle the wet hair locks on his forehead with one hand and smiled, watching him. 
He glanced at the camera, "Why aren't you talking?"
"I'm watching you." She said, making him press his lips in a thin line.
"You dare call me transparent." 

With a small laugh that died soon, she lay on the bed properly, snuggling into her pillow. She angled her phone in front of her as she lay on her side, watching him replicate her actions. 
"Now it feels like we're together." She muttered as he hummed deeply, "We haven't met in the past two weeks." 
"You're really busy, it's okay." 

"Can we meet up after a few days?" 
"Huh? You can?"
"It's been over a week I'm overworking. I might take a day off, it'll be fine since the work is becoming stable. It'll take more time for me to be free but if I can squeeze out the least bit of time, I'll give it to you." 

She stared at him, feeling her heart warm up with his words. He was unfeigned and gave her the hopes she had no idea she could harbour. 

How was she going to cope without him? She had no idea.