Love's Renewal

Chapter 37

The bus rumbled down the highway, its headlights casting a golden glow on the dark road ahead. Inside, the passengers were wrapped in a cozy silence, their eyelids heavy with fatigue. Santu and Shivani, who had been bickering earlier, now slept peacefully, their arms tangled around each other. Noor and Pushpa, the two mothers, sat with their heads leaning against the window, their soft snores a gentle accompaniment to the bus's hum.

Karishma, her eyes closed, had laid her head on Haseena's shoulder, her breathing slow and steady. Haseena, lost in thought, stared out into the darkness, her eyes reflecting the stars twinkling outside. Her mind was a maze of emotions, her thoughts tangled in a web of love, gratitude, and wonder.

Karishma slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. The bus was still moving, the headlights casting a warm glow on the dark road ahead. She looked up at Haseena, who was staring into space, her eyes lost in thought. Karishma's voice was soft and husky as she spoke,

"Haseena, ap jaag rahi hai? Abhi tak!!"

Haseena's gaze shifted to Karishma, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

"Haan, neend nahi aari thi" she replied, her voice low and soothing.

Karishma's eyes locked onto Haseena's, She snuggled closer, her head still on Haseena's shoulder
"Ooo neend nahi aari thi apko??"

"Hmmm" haseena said putting her head upon karishma's.

"Can you not make a noise for the next 10 minutes, Haseena?" Karishma asked, her voice barely audible over the hum of the bus engine.

Haseena's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why?" she asked, her tone was low and curious.

Karishma's smile was mischievous. "You'll wake everyone up, that's why," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Haseena's confusion grew, her eyes searching Karishma's face for answers. But before she could ask another question, Karishma had already climbed onto her lap, settling into the warmth of her embrace.

"Kya kar rahi hai ap, Karishma?" Haseena whispered urgently, her eyes darting around the bus nervously.
"You'll wake everyone up, and if Ammi sees us like this, we're done for good and we will be embarrassed for life."

Karishma's smile was sly, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"That's exactly why we need to keep quiet, okay? Not a word," she whispered, her breath hot against Haseena's ear.

But before Haseena could protest further, Karishma's lips crashed down on hers, silencing her with a kiss that left her breathless. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the passion of the moment.

Haseena's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the sudden turn of events. She mentally berated herself for sitting beside Karishma, her body still reeling from the intense kiss.

As they broke apart for air, Karishma's finger pressed against her lips, silencing her. "Shhhhh," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Haseena's breathing was ragged, her chest heaving with exertion.
"Go and sit properly now," she managed to whisper, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and admonition.

But Karishma just chuckled, her teeth grazing against Haseena's neck.
"Not now, I've just started," she whispered, her warm breath sending shivers down Haseena's spine.

Haseena's hand instinctively flew to her mouth, her teeth biting down on her knuckle to stifle a moan. The bus seat creaked softly under their combined weight, the only sound in the tense silence that followed.

As Karishma's hand slowly glided up Haseena's shirt, Haseena reflexively grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"You're gonna wake them up," Haseena whispered urgently.