Just friends no more

Distance

Amar and Hasee are regularly going out now. She likes talking to him. He is also preparing for UPSC and has decided to go to Delhi for studies after the college. Hasee looks happy.

On the other hand Karu is keeping herself busy with Varun. They have named their venture "Books and conversations" and it's going really good. They have now 20 regulars and at least 10 more interested. They are thinking of having a place of their own.

Everyone is in collegecanteen. Hasee is with Amar, they are dicussing something when Karu comes. She looks at them and about to sit beside Varun when Hasee calls her. She sits beside Hasee.

Hasee: Karu hum soch rahe the ki ek camping trip krte hai sab sath me. Pata nahi phir kab sab sath honge.

Karu: Camping kyun? Machhron ki yaad aa rahi hai?

Hasee makes faces.

Karu: Thik hai thik hai. krte hai plan.

Hasee: Yayy.

They all start planning. They decide to on Sat evening and come back by Sunday evening. Hasee is very excited. They head back to home. Karu has become quite since Hasee started dating Amar. And hasee has become more talkative. The whole time Hasee talks about the capming trip. They go to their respective bedrooms.

Pushpee calls Karu for dinner.

Pushpee: Teri Hasee nahi aa rahi khana khane?

Karu: Wo bahar gayi hai.

P: Aajkal kuch jyada bahar ka nahi kha rahi?

Karu: Hmm

P: Kaun hai wo?

Karu: Amar

She realises that she has spilled the beans.

Karu: K.. kaun kaun hai?

P: Ab bano mat. Achha ldka hai na?

Karu: Haan

P: tumne approve kiya hai to thik hai.

Karu: Hmm

P: To isliye aajkal mood off rehta hai?

Karu: Dekho na yaar aajkal bas usike ke sath hoti hai. Adat ke liye hi sahi roj ek bar ghar aa sakti hai na? Itni jaldi pyar khatm ho jata hai, aadatein chut jati hai?

P: Aisa nahi hai bachha. Bas shuruvat ki excitement me hota hai. Tum khush ho na uske liye? Time do use thoda.

Karu: Hmm. Hum saturday ko camping ke liye ja rahe hai. Classmates ke sath.

P: Tum aur camping?

Karu: Kya karein!

Pushpee laughs: Odomos mat bhulna varna sabka jeena haram kr dogi wahan.

Karu gives annoyed look and Pushpee laughs more.

after dinner Karu does the dishes and goes to her room. She tries reading but can't focus. She comes out and sees Ammi walking alone. Clearly Ammi's legs are hurting. She goes to her and hugs her.

Ammi: Mera bachha.

Karu: Ho gaya walk?

Ammi: Haan bas andar hi ja rahi thi.

Karu: Chaliye.

Karu massages Ammi's ancles and knees with oil till she falls asleep. Nothing is new there, she frequently does that.

Here in Pushpee's room Hasee sneaks in and suddenly hugs her from behind which startles her and she almosr screams.

P: Pagal ho kya? Ek din heart attack aa jayega.

H: Arey abhi umar hi kya hai aapki.

P: Badi khush lag rahi ho waise?

H: Haan khush to hu. Pushpee wo achha ladka hai, kafi intteligent bhi hai. Bhot kind hearted hai.

P: pyar ho raha hai kya?

H: Pyar to nahi lekin dosti jaroor ho rahi hai.

Pushpee puts her hand on Hasee's head and both smile.

H: Waise aapki ladli kahan hai?

Pushpee points out to Ammi's home, Karu is getting out.

P: Nooru ke pairon ki malish krne gayi hogi.

Hasee looks at Karu who is walking towards them, clearly in deep thoughts. Of course wearing a jacket. She just stops outside the gate and and sits on a bench. Hasee can see her clearly. Karu puts her head on the bench and closes her eyes. In the yellow street light it looks cinematic. She finds Karu's whole being poetic. She is staring at her.

H: Yeh kaise khud ek kavita ke jaisi dikhti hai? Hamesha dimag me koi kahani chalti rehti hai. Bhot jyada khubsoorat hai.

Pushpee is looking at her intently but doesn't say anything.

Hasee comes back to senses.

H: ye thand me wahan kyun baithi hai? Aur pareshan lag rahi hai. Pushpee hum niklte hai

She leaves without waiting for her response. She goes to Karu and sits beside her.

H: Kya hua hai?
K: kuch nahi. Kyun?
H: yahan kyun baithi Ho? Waise to 25 deg me bhi jam jati ho.
K: hmm ja rahe hai.

She gets up to leave but Hasee holds her hand and makes her sit.

H: kya hua hai?
K: Arey sach me kuch nahi hua hai. Chalein?
H: mujhse kab de baatein chupane lagi ho?

K to herself: jav de pyar hua hai!