Take Me Home

4. Goodbyes

Haseena and Karishma barged inside the hospital. There were cops who had been at the incident. They were taking statements from the people who had witnessed the accident. Karishma walked ahead to one of the officers she recognised wanting to confirm that what they heard was not true. That their friends were fine. One of the officers from the social services found Haseena, Santosh's emergency contact and also Kiara's godmother.

"Where is Kiara? Oh my god was she in the car with them? Oh my god no." Haseena mumbled in a state of panic. The tears were freely flowing and she had no intention to collect herself.

"The child was not in the car. She was with a babysitter at the time of the accident. Ma'am she has been placed under the custody of a State registered foster home. She is safe with the CPD."

"CPD? But- but we are her godparents we should be able to see her! She must be shocked she must be scared!" Haseena protested. Karishma was nowhere around the corner and this was something she'd rather do with a familiar face by her side.

"Child Protection Service ma'am this is standard protocol when -" Haseena looked at the officer wanting her to continue no matter what the next sentence was.

"-when the child is orphaned." The officer said with remorse on his face. Haseena seemed to be in a state of shock. The officer had handed her some papers to fill out and Karishma finally found her and stood next to her not sure what to say. It was something none of them had ever expected. One minute they were walking to a restaurant for a date neither of them wanted and the next minute they were being informed that the two people that meant the most to them were no longer alive. It was a car accident. A truck driver had lost control and Santosh and Cheetah's car was on his way.

The writing pad slipped from Haseena's grip as a sob escaped her mouth. She closed her face as her tears started flowing freely. Karishma pulled the papers from her and put her arm around Haseena, pulling her closer, hugging her letting her mourn, letting her cry on her shoulder. The tears she very hardlly controlled now flowed easily. The warm embrace somehow brought some life into her. They were in this together and they had to deal with this together.

"Hum Kiara se kal 8 am tak mil nahi sakte. I tried my best but they say it's some kind of protocol and I-" Karishma said slowly only for Haseena to hear and Haseena nodded her head.

"Humko unke ghar mein aaj raat ko bitana padega taaki kal yahaan jaldi aah sakein. They live a block away." Karishma separated the hug and looked into Haseena's puffed eyes.

"Haan."

Karishma had crashed on the sofa in the living room while Haseena took the guest room. Neither of them wanted to venture into Santosh and Cheetah's bedroom. Their home was huge and portraits of the happy couple adorned every other wall of the house that they had recently got. Surrounded by the memories of voices of her childhood best friend and his wife, Karishma could not find any sleep that night.

As the sunrays leaked through the perfect glass windows of the guest room in which Haseena slept she stirred reluctantly and memories of last night made her sit straight up on the bed. She descended down the stairs wanting to wake Karishma up. She didn't want to be late and didn't want Kiara to be with strangers any longer.

"Singh hurry we need to go."

..

Karishma and Haseena nervously sat opposite the officer. They had gone to get Kiara. Karishma was shaking her leg making an annoying noise and Haseena placed her hand on Karishma's thigh making her stop. She quickly removed her hand and Karishma instantly missed the warmth.
After eternity a burly guy brought Kiara. The lil one seemed to quickly recognise her god parents and squirmed in the man's hands wailing loudly.

Haseena stood walking to the man taking Kiara before he got any chance to walk to them. Karishma walked to them huddled with Haseena greeting the kid with a smile, her eyes sparkled with tears she held back with difficulty. Kiara extended her hands towards Karishma.

"Singh mausi ke paas jaana hai aapko? Haseena mausi nahi chahiye?" Haseena said to the lil one. Karishma carried Kiara kissing her cheek cradling her. The child was a daunting reflection of her parents and she was all Karishma had left of her best friend.

Pushpa ji has agreed to look after Kiara till the funeral. Karishma and Haseena had a hard time looking after each and every formality and the paperwork. They had no time to mourn no time to take a breather. It was as if they were putting out one fire after the other. Karishma being in the police department helped a bit. The visit to the cremation ground was the most tiring of all. Karishma held Haseena as she was sobbing uncontrollably. She was sometimes strong for both of them. Sometimes it was Haseena taking care of all the paperwork and everything else while Karishma just zoned out. They were glad they had each other no matter how unlikely their combination was.

Horrifying as it sounded they were glad when Karishma emptied the ashes from two pitchers into the Sea. This was their final trip for the day before meeting up with the Lawyer about the finances and Estate of the Chaturvedis.

By the time they reached home to meet the lawyer, they were dead meat. Kiara unbeknownst to the death of her parents happily slept in Karishma's arms. Haseena offered to take her to her room and Karishma agreed handing over Kiara to Haseena.

"I know this is a tough time for you. Obviously. We will miss Cheetah and Santosh very much." Peter, their lawyer said in a heavy voice. Karishma and Haseena simply nodded. They were now tired of people offering them their condolences.

"Now. you must have many questions." Peter asked expectedly. Haseena exchanged a look with Karishma before asking the obvious question.

"WeII. About Kiara. I think that's who we're both thinking of.-Yes.-What will happen to her now?" Haseena stuttered.

"Okay. weII. I have already arranged for her transfer. The CPD, they feeI she'II adjust best in her own environment. Did Santosh and Cheetah talk to you about their guardianship arrangements?" Haseena simply nodded her head in no indicating that they obviously not PLANNED and talked about a future where Santosh and Cheetah were no longer alive and their one year old baby girl needed to be taken care of by someone else.

"No." Karishma stated, confirming Haseena's nod.

"So Cheetah and Santosh in preparing their will, in the unlikely event of death had named you, actually BOTH of you to take care of Kiara." Peter said, and Karishma looked like a slow computer processing a command. Haseena chuckled as if Peter had cracked a bad joke. They waited for some time before realising the weight of his words.

"No I mean both of us? That cannot be possible look Peter we aren't together. We are not married. We can barely stand each other. There must be some kind of mistake." Karishma said and Haseena nodded aggressively, seconding Karishma.

"I am very sure Ms. Singh. Look I am sorry I know this isn't how you wanted to start a family. I know this is overwhelming and I tried advising them against it but this is what they wanted." Haseena heaved a long sigh and Karishma stood pacing down the hall to and fro.

"We have a hearing coming Monday. Till then I suggest you both move in together."

"We have to live together?" Karishma and Haseena screamed in unison.

"Uh yes for Kiara's sake. Yes."

..

Heya do tell me how it was! I just finished writing the 11th chapter and I really liked how it turned out so I decided to update.