" So..Karishma was here?" asked Saba, leaning in on the cafeteria door.
Sara booked a studio in Delhi Art Gallery for nights to work on her paintings for the exhibition. Her creativity likes the quiet of the night, and she can listen to her thoughts more when the outside world is resting.
"Yes, she was here, " Sara replied, her voice tinged with weariness. It was two past midnight, and the cafeteria long closed to the public, was bathed in a soft, dim light. Sara sat at one of the tables, nursing a cup of coffee.
Saba grinned, her eyes glinting with mischief. "So, Karishma couldn't wait, huh? Guess someone's missing those late-night... creative sessions." She winked playfully, her teasing unmistakable.
Sara didn't pay much attention. Instead, she sipped her coffee and asked, "You working late again? That's four times in a row. They need to give you a raise."
Saba laughed as she poured her coffee. "As an art gallery curator, I always get stuck with these meetings in different time zones, " she said, joining Sara at the table. "But I love my job. I have no complaints. "
Sara pushed a plate of cookies toward her.
"Besides, I get to talk to you. I would consider it a perk." Saba said, taking a cookie. She then studied Sara's demeanor, noting the lack of usual cheerfulness. "Why are you all gloomy?"
Sara's gaze dropped to her coffee. "I am not." Her grip tightened on the cup. "And I don't want to waste your time with something so ridiculous."
" Hey! Come on, you can talk about it." Saba leaned in, her voice gentle and encouraging. "I'm a fresh divorcee, new to the city, with no friends. All I have is time."
Sara gave a faint smile, her eyes flicking up momentarily before settling back on the table. She paused, her lips parting as if to speak, but then she hesitated. "I don't know what's going on," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Saba waited patiently, sensing there was more but not pushing too hard.
"It's not like there's anything wrong," Sara continued, fidgeting slightly in her chair. " I mean with me and Karishma. We don't fight. We care for each other. She's... considerate. We're perfect."
Saba raised an eyebrow. "Then why does it feel like your words are betraying you? What are you worried about?"
"I don't know," Sara replied, her voice tight as if trying to force away the thoughts creeping into her mind. "Maybe I'm just overthinking."
Suddenly, Sara pushed back her chair and stood abruptly. "I'm tired. I should head home."
Saba watched her, a soft concern etched into her expression. "Alright... get home safe."
Sara smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah... I'm just tired," she echoed, turning away quickly. As she walked out, Saba could tell there was so much more Sara wasn't saying—something unresolved and simmering just beneath the surface.
*****************
Nights had been rough on Karishma without Sara. The empty bed reminded her of the things she's been running from. She would bury her face into a pillow, clutching it tightly, longing for the missing warmth.
Around 5 a.m., Sara would quietly slip into the room after her night shifts. With a playful kick, she would send the pillow flying and nestle herself into Karishma's embrace. The gentle rise and fall of Karishma's chest, her warm breath against Sara's skin, would instantly melt away the night's weariness, pulling them into a quiet, shared peace.
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In-yeon
FanfictionIt's an In-yeon if two strangers even walk by each other on the street and their clothes accidentally brush. Because it means there must have been something between them in their past lives. If two people get married, they say it's because there hav...
