KAREENA: A Love Story

14. Confiding in Her

Karishma Singh sat, all bandaged up, at the foot of a tree and watched her senior Haseena Mallik, bring Karishma's motorbike, from where it had lain since the accident. The bike looked a little battered after the ordeal, but overall it was still in one piece, much like its owner.

Haseena parked the bike in front of her and commented, 'Aapki jangi jahaaz aap hi ki tarah strong hain. Jitni buri tarah se skid kiya tha uss hisab se damage nahi hua hain. Hum tow van ko call karte hain, woh aapki bike garage le jayegi—'

'Uski jarurat nahi hain. Hum abhi thik hain toh hum khud hi chalakar jaa sakte hain bike—'
Karishma looked up to find Haseena looking down at her, arms crossed, jaws tight.
Karishma U-turned. '— aisa kaun kehta hain accident ke baad! Tow van ki jarurat toh padhti hi hain... aap bula lijiye.'

But the moment Karishma tried to stand up, a sharp pain shot through her. She yelped and nearly fell over... but didn't because a pair of warm familiar arms grabbed her by the waist and prevented the fall. Karishma's arms automatically curled around Haseena's neck to steady herself. Their eyes met and the world slipped away, as usual.

They didn't know how long they stayed in that freeze frame. It could've been a few seconds, or it could've been a few minutes. Until, Haseena's face creased in concern and she helped Karishma stand.

'Karishma Singh kanha dard mehsoos kiya aapne abhi?'

Karishma limped back and touched her left knee in reply.

'Arrey wanha bhi chot lagi hain? Pehle kyun nahi bataya?'

— Kyunki aapne gale laga liya tha aur hum sab kuch bhool gaye — would not be an appropriate answer so Karishma just stayed quiet and shrugged.

Watching her friend limp precariously, Haseena put her arm back around Karishma's waist and held her tightly with one hand, then took Karishma's arm and swung it around her own neck. She gingerly led Karishma towards her car.

'Ya Khuda, haddi-vaddi toot toh nahi gayi,' muttered Haseena.

Karishma walked leaning on Haseena. She didn't have a choice since Haseena held her flush against her side. Not that she disapproved of their position...

'Toota nahi hain,' said Karishma. 'Woh jab giri thi tab iss wale ghutne padh giri thi, jalan ho rahi hain bohot, shayad chhil gayi hain.'

'Hum gaadi mein baith kar first-aid kar dete hain. Phir yanha se clinic jayenge aur ek x-ray karwa lenge,' said Haseena.

'Arrey baba nahi toota hain. Toota hota aise thodi chal pate?' argued Karishma.

'Aapko kya pata? Andar hairline crack ho gaya ho toh? Safety ke liye x-ray karwa lete hain.'

'Jarurat nahi hain.'

'Humein yaad nahi aa rahi aapne MBBS kab paas kiya?'

The argument continued as they crossed the road and reached the parked car. Haseena opened the backseat door and helped Karishma half-lie down with her knee propped up. Haseena herself perched on the edge of the seat and switched on the roof light, bathing them in a shadowy yellow glow.

Then she was faced with a problem. She tried to roll up Karishma's skin-hugging jeans, but that stupid thing wouldn't fold up beyond her calf muscle. On any other day, Haseena really appreciated the views of Karishma in skinny jeans, but right now, it frustrated her because how else was she going to inspect Karishma's knee?