Destined to be Together

Chapter 60

Since the morning after her encounter with Karishma, Haseena's thoughts have been occupied by their conversation. As Santosh found Haseena lost during lunch, she seemed perturbed even after being asked multiple times but gave the lame excuse of feeling sick. Although Santosh didn't persuade her further, seeing as she wouldn't touch her food, she had no choice but to force her. Haseena kept herself busy at work so that she wouldn't remember Karishma.

"Haseena," called Santosh, who was standing in front of her desk.

Haseena glanced at her getting out of her system as Santosh asked, "You didn't wind up? Chailye ghar nahi chalna hai kya?"

It brought tears to Haseena's eyes when she heard home, as she had never considered that apartment as her home.

She cleared her throat and replied, "Woh darasal humein thoda kaam hai, aap jaiye hum thodi der mein nikalte hai."

"Come on, Haseena, last kuch dino se dekh rahi hoon late tak ruk k kaam kar rahi hai, kis baat ki saaza de rahi hai aap khudko," Santosh said with anger and irritation in her voice.

Haseena looked at her and tilted her neck to one side before calmly replying, "Aisi koi baat nahi hai Santosh."

Santosh moves towards her while saying, "Nahi aap abhi mere saath nikal rahi hai, dekhiye na it's getting windy outside, shayad kal jaise baarish aane wali hai isliye chaliye ghar k liye nikate hai."

Taking her hand, Haseena pressed it slightly and said softly, "Nahi Santosh, sach mein humein thoda kaam hai aur waise bhi apartment nazdeek hai hamara, hum baarish se pehle chale jayenge."

Santosh's displeasure was evident as she shook her head and inquired, "Iska matlab hai aap meri baat nahi manne wali?"

"Please Santosh, bas thoda sa bacha hai hum nikalte hai thodi der mein," pleaded Haseena softly.

"Aap chaho to main ruk sakti hoon," Santosh insisted with concern.

Understanding her concern, Haseena smiled at her and assured her, "Nahi aap jaiye hum manage kar lenge."

Santosh nodded and said, "Thik hai par dhyaan se jaiyega. Waise bhi aisi baarish mein bheegne se bimar jaldi padte hai."

Upon hearing Santosh's warning, Haseena's heart pounded as she remembered Karishma falling ill yesterday, brought on by drenching in the rain. However, she quickly brushed her thoughts aside and could only nod while Santosh left.

After wrapping up her work, Haseena left her office late in the evening. Outside, it was dark and cloudy, and a wind gust gave a chill to the air. She pulled her cloak snugly around her and quickened her pace, hoping she could reach safely into the apartment before the first droplets of rain turned into a downpour.

While walking towards her apartment, Haseena saw Karishma's bike park from a distance. As she walked closer, she saw Karishma sitting there with subtle body language that expressed a struggle - a slight hunch of her shoulders, a hand in her pocket. Occasionally, she shivers due to the relentless wind cutting through her jacket. When Haseena saw her in this condition, her heart arched and her eyes softened. She understood Karishma must have been waiting for her since the morning, but her expression changed instantly from sympathetic to annoyed.

As Haseena approached her, Karishma felt a presence behind her and stood up. Delighted to see Haseena, she was about to say something when Haseena cut her off and asked, "Aap yahan kya kar rahi hai? Mausam kharab ho raha hai, jaiye aapne ghar jaaiye."

Karishma pleaded with a weary voice, saying, "If I had to go home, I would have left long ago, but I really want to talk to you, Galib."

"Captain Karishma Singh, aakhri baar aapko bata rahe hai hum k humein is naam se mat bulaiye, aur humein aapse baat karne mein bilkul dilchaspi nahi hai," yelled Haseena more furiously as she lost patience.