Chapter 7

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Haseena's POV

The house was quaint but well organised and was decorated with a modern touch and kind of feminine touch. One which i didn't expect from a middle aged man, or any man at all really.

As Karishma greeted Nawab, Pushpa ji's boyfriend, I felt a delicate hand pull me aside.

"Hello Pushpa ji" I whispered "Sab thik toh h na?"

Pushpa ji had a concerned look in her eyes as she let out a breath "Dekhiye hum nhi jante yeh aise hum sabko kyu bulaya h aur n hi hume Daksh kar bilkul bhi bharosa h. Par agar kuch bhi hota h toh aap Karishma ko leke turant chale jaenge" she explained

I could see the pain and fear behind her eyes and I could only imagine the memories flying around in her mind right now.

I nodded immediately, "Ji bilkul" I said.

She gives me a nod and a sad smile "Hum tumhare bare mein zyada nhi jante par hume itna toh pata h ki aap humari bachi ko toh kuch nhi hone dengi aur uska humesha dhyan rakhengi."

I offered her a kind smile knowing that she probably has no idea what those words mean to me. I was constantly feeling like Karishma was always the one taking care of me and I was unsure if I'd be as good as her in returning the favour. But for some reason knowing her mom believes that I can, instil a new confidence in me.

She didn't really give me a chance to respond, I was quickly wrapped up in her arms as I returned the hug.

I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me as Pushpa ji released me from the hug.

"Karishma" I heard a deep voice say.

Turning around I saw the tall man towering over my girlfriend and my protective instincts led me to stand beside her.

I observed the interaction and waited for him to say something more. Was this really all he had to say after not seeing his daughter for almost a year now? I guess Karishma didn't expect anything more from him since she responded to his greeting, if that's what you want to call it.

"Pita ji," she mumbled. "Yeh Haseena h, humari girlfriend"

I watched his eyes shift from his daughter and land on me. As soon as they did, I felt nervous. Like he could crush me with just a glance.

I tried to shake off this feeling though, because he was still staring me down and I needed to show Pushpa ji, and myself, that I can be a pillar for Karishma when she needs me to.

"Hello sir" I say as confidently as possible, extending my hand towards him.

I would say it's nice to meet you but I don't think lying is a good way to start any kind of relationship.

To my surprise he firmly shook my hand and offered me a single nod

"Hello," he said coldly.

This phrase made me feel like a teenager. He cleared his throat and turned to his daughter once more.

"Dinning room mein jane se pehle" he started "hum tumse mafi mangna chahte h Karishma"

An obvious look of shock sat on Karishma's face

And Pushpa ji's

And Nawab's

....and mine.

"Hum jante h yeh kafi nhi h" he continued "Par hum kisi se mile, jisne hume sochne pe majboor kiya aur humari soch ko badalne mein madad ki. Aur humne tum sabko usse milane ke liye bulaya h"

"Apne hume apni girlfriend se milne ke liye bulaya h?" Karishma spat. I knew her walls were up but I can't help but notice the tiny glint of hope in her eyes when her father apologised.

Daksh's body tensed immediately, obviously not liking her response. But instead of having the response we all expected he shifted uncomfortably and released a breath in an attempt to control himself.

"Haan," he said simply.

A silence fell upon us and no one quite knew what to say and much less what to do.

We all exchanged awkward glances and the longer we went without saying something, the harder it was for me to try to break it.

It's not really my place anyways is it? I should probably let someone else do that.

Karishma's eyes were unwavering.

They were fixed on her father, she seemed to be examining him. She suddenly took a step back from the man when he lifted up his hand to run his hand through his hair.

I felt an ache on my chest when I saw this.

She thought he was going to hit her.

I instinctively quickly reached for her hand intertwining our fingers together offering her some silent reassurance.

I am here, and there is no way I'd let him do anything to her.

Her hand squeezed mine tightly as though she were hanging on for dear life. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt a bit but there was no way I was going to let go.

"Hum jante h," Daksh said, finally filling the silence. "Hume maaf karna mushkil hoga aur hum asha bhi nhi karte ki aap hume maaf kare. Par hume acha lagega ki hum apke zindagi ka hissa honge toh."

Karishma didn't answer and he apparently didn't expect one anyways.

He turned around and began to lead us towards the dining room, we all followed in silence.

You can easily cut the tension with a knife and I can only imagine how much worse it'll get when his new girlfriend is introduced.

We all sit on the dining table, Karishma beside me with Pushpa ji and Nawab on the other side.

I can only assume Daksh and his girlfriend will take their spots at the ends of the table.

As we sit in silence his words from earlier echo through my mind and I can't help but doubt them

A man that spends so many years being homophobic and thinking it's okay to be emotionally and physically abusive doesn't just change overnight.

I want to believe he's changed for Karishma's sake. I really do, but it's just difficult.

I feel a tight squeeze on my hand as I turn to see my girlfriend's eyes fixed behind me.

"Woh umar humse zyada badi nhi lag rhi h" she mumbled.

I turned to see what she was looking at and my heart dropped.

Beside Daksh was Gunjan Sharma.

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Hey people,

Hope you guys are doing well 

So here is another update. Please lemme know how it was.

Until next time,
Stay safe 😊 Stay blessed 😊 Be kind to Yourself 😊

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