Solace

Chapter 38

Faasle aise bhi honge kabhi socha na tha
Samne baitha tha mere par woh mera
na tha,
Woh ki khushboo ki tarah phaila
tha charsoo
Mai usse mehsoos toh kar sakta tha magar chu sakta na tha..

The next morning in Delhi came gracefully with warm and radiant sunshine illuminating the city and smooth autumn breeze caressing nature ever so delicately. The glowing sun rays filtered through the white linen curtains of the hotel room, falling all over Karishma's downcast figure who seemed oblivious of her surroundings, having her eyes stuck on the photograph in her hand.

"Tumhe kya meri yaad nahi aati", Karishma mumbled in a faint voice, looking at the photo that had her and Haseena dancing from the night of the latter's last birthday. "I know I hurt you. But I also love you, a lot, more than you can imagine, more than I can express", she kept looking at the photograph intently as if it would come alive if she kept staring at it.

"Which one would you like me to place in here ma'am?" A voice interrupted her contemplation as Karishma turned her head to her left to face the hotel staff who had a bunch of white lilies and red tulips in his hands, awaiting her response.

"Pink roses", Karishma replied before glancing back at the photo.

"Sorry ma'am but pink roses aren't available", the staff informed her in a polite tone but to Karishma it sounded more like a taunt as if someone was saying not just Haseena, everything associated with her would be unavailable for you, always! And the overwhelming sense of longing Karishma repressed inside her suddenly resulted in an unfathomable anger.

"It's either pink roses or nothing!", Karishma muttered, looking back at him infuriatingly. The poor soul stood there baffled, not having the slightest idea of what he had done to make her angry. "Get out!", Karishma again spoke in the same tone and he escaped the room immediately. She looked around the room she would call hers for quite a few days now. Spacious and well furnished with a touch of elegance, it was split into two parts, separating the lounge from the bedroom. But at this point it wouldn't really matter if she was laying down on a random street. She couldn't make sense of anything without Haseena by her side, which left her feeling vulnerable and lost as she lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling mindlessly.

.
.

Haseena arrived at the office with a renewed sense of hope, every step resonating with determination to face the challenges her work might offer. Her heart raced with a mixed feeling of possibility and anticipation as she approached Madam Sehgal's cabin and gave a light knock on the door.

"Come in", Haseena heard her boss saying as she entered the cabin and offered her a warm greeting that was reciprocated with the same affection.

"Here's the designs I made for the project ma'am", Haseena said, forwarding her newly made sketches to her, "Ap ekbar check karle, just to make sure it's up to the per."

A slight smile of appreciation appeared on Madam Sehgal's face as her intensive glance inspected the sketches. Timeless yet vibrant and quite a contrast to the latest "trends", they exuded originality, very much like her own personality. "You did good Haseena!" she looked up towards Haseena, "I wonder apne isse pehle koi permanent job kyu nahi ki, jabki ap apni kaam mein itni mahir hai!"

"I didn't have enough qualifications to apply for jobs, that's one of the reasons", Haseena replied with a faint smile.

"Accha!", Madam Sehgal said in an understanding manner. Before she could ask further, a knock on the door was heard. "Is the schedule set for the day?" She asked as she saw her assistant Tara entering the room.

"Yes ma'am", Tara replied and Haseena excused herself politely. She couldn't help but notice the disapproving glances that some of her colleagues were throwing at her as she advanced towards her cubicle. It was clear as day that they didn't like a newcomer to take lead in such an important project when seemingly they were more experienced and qualified than her. It made Haseena realize how entitled some people could be. But she chose to ignore it as usual and concentrate on her work.