KAREENA: A Love Story

13. Kaun Tujhe Yun Pyar Karega...

A/N: Grab a box of tissues

Haseena Mallik finished compiling the report. Eight people had registered FIRs with MPT, and in each case, the complainant had clearly admitted to being turned away from Janakipuram thaana. Billu had gotten the video and photographic evidence. But Haseena did not send these to the bosses just yet. Instead, she framed a seemingly innocent email seeking permission to be allowed to investigate in the Janakipuram area and sent it to the DSP, copy marking SP Sir himself.

Haseena Mallik had good reason for this decision. From the day she joined the force, Haseena had encountered prejudices against female officers, from their own colleagues. She knew that if she had directly complained against Bulbul Pandey, not only would there be no action taken, but also MPT would be accused of trying to sabotage a senior officer out of insecurity. "Mazaak tha yaar", "lighten up and learn to take a joke", "aap har baat ko itna seriously kyun leti ho" — were the excuses behind which discrimination, prejudices and misogyny hid and bloomed. At best, Bulbul Pandey would receive a rap on the wrist and be allowed to get away. So Haseena was going to beat the men at their own game. The unusual request email would catch the attention of her seniors and they would demand an explanation. That was when she would present her evidence. Not before that.

Haseena shut down her computer and stretched. A glance at the clock showed it was just past 7pm. Shoot! She should've gotten ready by now for her coffee date with Karishma. A coffee date for which she had rejected her Ammi and incurred her wrath. Haseena knew there would be consequences to face when she got home. Also the fake marriage drama had gone on for long enough. If Ammi had reached the point where she was planning Haseena's engagement, then Haseena needed to come clean to her with the truth immediately. She was just desperately trying to figure out the best way to tell her.

But that was for later tonight. Right now... Coffee with Karishma! Haseena changed into a traditional salwar kameez, simple but elegant. She was aware of the effect her ethnic looks usually had on Karishma and she was eager to see her reaction today...

... but Karishma Singh was not at her desk. Or anywhere else in the police station for that matter. She was nowhere to be found. And Haseena's calls went straight to voicemail. Haseena started feeling worried. She had this prickling feeling. She couldn't explain it, but it was not a good feeling.

Pushpa ji, Santu and Cheetah came in from their tea break and saw their SHO standing in the middle of the thaana looking beautiful, but very anxious.

'Wow Madam Sir,' exclaimed Santu. 'Aap kitni pyari lag rahi ho.'

The compliment didn't even reach Haseena's ears, as she turned and immediately asked them about Karishma's whereabouts.

'Karishma Madam bas thodi der pehle kanhi nikal gayi, normal kapdon mein.' Cheetah informed her.

Oh... nikal gayi? Had Haseena misunderstood? She had assumed they would be going together. But was she supposed to meet Karishma directly at the cafe? They had not discussed this part but Karishma did text her last night, cutely confirming if Haseena liked that particular cafe... Now that Haseena thought about it, it definitely made more sense to go separately so the others would not suspect anything or ask unnecessary questions.

Lekin humara phone kyun nahi utha rahi? Aur humse ek bar mile bine ya baat kiye bina hi chali gayi? Karishma Singh toh aise kabhi nahi karti hain...

Pushpa ji was watching Haseena. She asked cautiously, 'Karishma ji se kuch kaam tha kya aapko Madam Sir? Aur aap kahin jaa rahi hain? Koi message hain toh humein bata dijiye na. Hum Karishma ji ko bata denge.'

Haseena was startled out of her thoughts. 'Haan woh kuch personal kaam se jaa rahe hain. Karishma Singh ko... hum text kar denge. Case ke baare mein kuch baat karni thi... anyway thik hain hum nikalte hain phir. Jai Hind.'