Solace

Chapter 19

Haseena had always been fond of art. She loved how arts could express one's emotions and turmoil better than any words could. It had the power to make you happy or gloomy just by the look of it. Art could come across mysterious to some but actually it was plain emotions painted on a piece of paper.

Haseena wanted to make a career out of art, which her mother didn't approve of. Salma had been a bit too harsh on her daughter, her wishes, her likings. But Haseena never misunderstood her mother as she had seen how life had treated her, what turmoil she had gone through. It's not easy for a widowed woman with two little children to survive in this cruel world, so she had to be strict. Haseena knew her mother just wanted to prepare her to face the world. Karishma wouldn't be there for her forever, to hold her, to protect her. After all, they were individuals with different priorities. It was a truth her heart refused to believe but unlike her, her mother was not this delusional.

She remembered their life in Lucknow, how soft-spoken and warm her mother used to be when her father was alive. How every weekend felt like Eid, as her father came home only on weekends, owing to his work here in Rajasthan. They were a small happy family. But her father's death changed their life forever. After him, even the Eid days didn't feel like Eid.

But today things seemed a bit different. Haseena was sketching with a content smile on her face. Well, it was something she always wanted to do. A soothing breeze coming from the nearby window was caressing her face. She had tied her hair in a loose bun, only a few hair strands were coming off which she blocked using her other hand.
Her concentration was very much in her work to notice the gazes of her new colleagues on her.

"Wah, bohut hi sundar designs banayi hai aapne", Haseena heard a voice and looked in its direction. A handsome man wearing formals was standing there, with a smile on his face.

"Shukriya", Haseena replied politely.

"Waise humara introduction hua nahi hai. I'm Anubhav Singh", the man said, forwarding his hand for a handshake, which Haseena had to reciprocate.
"Aur ap Haseena hai?", he again spoke, before Haseena could reply.

"Ji", Haseena nodded in affirmation.

"Ap shayad thodi shy hai. Ek hi shabd mein jawab de rahi hai", he said.
"Koi baat nahi. Ab toh mulaqat hoti rahegi, hum colleagues jo thehre", Anubhav added, with a smile. Haseena just gave him a polite smile in response.

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"Yeh final plan hai. Ap ekbar check kar lijiye", Neha said, forwarding the documents.

"Ab tak to sahi lag raha hai", Karishma replied, taking a look at them.

"Ekbar designs ready ho jaye uske baad it will be magnificent. I assure you ma'am", Neha replied with confidence.

"Designs would be magnificent, I am sure of that", Karishma spoke. "And how is Haseena doing? Make sure she is comfortable", she instructed.

"Don't worry ma'am. She is doing fine. Unka work space bhi unhe qafi pasand ayi", Neha assured her and Karishma nodded in response.

Karishma walked towards the work space of the office. Her employees were about to stand up to greet her but she gestured them to continue with their work. She finally stood in front of Haseena's desk, leaning on the side wall.

She saw Haseena sketching with her utmost attention. Her face was glowing in that yellowish light. She sometimes paused in between, probably to think what to sketch next as she held the pencil between her lips. "God!", Karishma gulped down looking at her. Some of her hair strands were coming on her face. Karishma had an urge to tuck them behind her ear, but before she could do that Haseena helped herself and Karishma pouted instantly. But her expression changed as her eyes fell on Haseena's neck, which was beautifully adorned by a chain. It's the same chain she gifted Haseena on her birthday and she didn't take it off! Karishma felt a rush of happiness running through her whole being.

"Areh yeh ladki! Kabhi to aas paas dekh liya karo!", Karishma murmured, as Haseena still didn't notice her presence. She felt a tinge bit of jealousy as Haseena had all her attention in that tiny piece of paper and not in her.

"Shut up! Don't ruin her happy moment with your stupidity Karishma", she inwardly reprimanded herself and went back to her cabin. "You can look at her from your cabin as well", Karishma thought, looking at the glass wall that separated her cabin from the general work space.

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It was almost evening when Haseena was about to knock on the door in front of her. But it opened before she could knock. Karishma's lips curved into a sparkling smile looking at Haseena, who was standing there with papers in her hand. Haseena smiled back, showing her dimples.

"Chalo", Karishma said, moving forward.

"Kahan ja rahe hai hum?", Haseena asked in confusion.

"Udhar dekho", Karishma replied, guiding her to the balcony overlooking the town. It was decorated with yellow fairy lights. A small table was set, while the right corner was covered with a soft carpet and pillows, giving it a cozy ambience.

Haseena glanced at the balcony once and then looked back at Karishma. She was stunned as a wave of nostalgia swept over her. "Apko yaad hai?", she managed to speak.

"Itni bhi bhulakkar nahi hu mai", Karishma pouted. Haseena chuckled at her expression. She reached out to hold Karishma's hand, which felt like her safe place. Karishma made her sit in front of her, not leaving her hand.

"Cheers to the day we met for the very first time", Karishma said, giving her a pair of pink roses.

"Cheers", Haseena whispered, taking in the fragrance of the rose.

"Tum toh badi tension le rahi thi ke acche nahi banenge. Lekin ab toh sab pareshan ho jayenge ke konsi choose kare kyunki sabhi itni acchi bani hai", Karishma teased and Haseena hit on her arm playfully.

"Aur bhi moderations baki hai", Haseena replied.

"Hasi!", Karishma called her, "You know na, tum permanently yeh job le sakti ho?"

A layer of sadness spread across Haseena's face hearing this. "Apko pata hai yeh nahi ho sakta. Thakursa ke kehne pe kuch dino ke liye ammi maan gayi, lekin yeh humesha nahi hoga", she said. Her voice was filled with the burden of unspoken wishes. "Aur waise bhi hum khush hai apni haal mai. Har koi job kare yeh zaroori toh nahi hai na!", Haseena said composing herself.

"I know ghar ka kaam karna koi choti baat nahi hai, it takes a lot. Lekin jo talent tum mein hai usse waste karna thik nahi hai na? As women, we should always explore different sides of our personality", Karishma said with utmost conviction in her voice. Haseena smiled, noticing how maturely her ahmaq insan was speaking. Yes, Karishma was always intelligent but she would often act on impulse, which got her into trouble.

Haseena slightly moved beside Karishma, keeping her head on her shoulder. "Jo ap samajhte hai woh koi aur nahi samajh payega. Humari zindagi mein kuch aisi cheezein hai jiske bina hi hume jeena hoga. Aur iss baat ko hum accept kar chuke hai", Haseena thought, as a lone tear escaped her eyes. She quickly wiped it off before Karishma could notice.

Karishma took a glance at Haseena who was laying her head over her shoulder for the last 25 minutes. She moved her hand on Haseena's cheeks, slowly brushing the hair strands that were coming on her face.

"Hasi, chalo khana khate hai", Karishma said, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Phir ghar bhi toh jana hai na. You must be tired", she whispered against her forehead. Haseena just nodded in response.

Haseena didn't want to leave. She was happy here, with Karishma. She didn't want to step into the bitter reality, but she had to. She couldn't escape it forever, it was not in her hands.

"Come on Haseena, enough of your dreaming, it's time to get back to reality", she thought, lifting her head from Karishma's shoulder.

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Hello beautiful people, I hope you all are doing well. Here is chapter 19 of Solace. Do vote and comment.

Well, one more thing. I am not someone who would threaten the readers to restrict the story or not update and all, if they don't vote. But I also don't get why you would not vote if you enjoy reading it? I mean, is there something wrong? If so, you are always welcome to let me know. If not, then please vote. It's a request from your tiny writer.

See you in the next chapter.