UNLIKELY ALLIES || KarEena

✨ She's Back ✨

I woke up in the evening and my hands instinctively went to my phone. I scrolled through my Instagram account and the first post shocked me—my college friend Santosh Sharma was now an SI in a thana in Lucknow. I smiled at this. "Acha, to Santu Ammi ka khyal rakh rahi hai... Thank you, Santu. Ab hame bhi intezar nahi ho raha tumse milne ka."

Then I saw the next post; it was from a fan page of the TV show *Madam Sir*, featuring two female leads whose bond wasn't love in the traditional sense but wasn't any less significant. I smiled as it reminded me of Karishma. It felt like I was recovering here because of these people. While I wasn't able to forget my first love, I was healing—or so I thought.

But then I noticed the hollowness of my own thoughts. How could I lie to myself like this? I wasn't healing; I was just craving her more.

I was scrolling through my phone when I heard Anvi's excited shouting. It sounded like she was cheering for someone. Curious, I went to the balcony to get a better view. I saw a lady arriving on a Bullet motorcycle with full swag, wearing a shirt over a tank top and jeans. Her face was covered with a helmet and goggles.

I shouted down, "Annu, kaun hai?"

She replied, "Aapki dost!"

I was taken aback. For a moment, I thought it must be Santosh Sharma. But I know her well—she's innocent and soft-spoken. This bold entrance didn’t fit her at all. Before I could ponder further, the girl stopped her bike in front of our home and took off her helmet. I couldn't get a clear glimpse of her face from up here, so I hurried downstairs.

I saw her hugging my ammi. Then she turned away and took off her goggles. As I saw her face, I was utterly shocked. It was none other than... Karishma.

Wait, what? Karishma? How could she be here? Before I could comprehend anything, she came to me with a very soft and heartwarming smile and hugged me. I stood there, unable to respond, completely overwhelmed by her unexpected presence.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I realized she was the one I had been waiting for. I hugged her tightly, wanting to never let go, feeling like she was dissolving into me. I wanted to hug her more, but she gently pushed me away and smiled, raising her eyebrows, "Kaisi ho?"

I was too confused to respond, fearing it might be a dream. Slowly, I replied, "Vaisi bilkul nahi hu jaise tum chod kar gayi thi..." I searched her eyes for any hint of emotion, any sign of longing, but found none. It was as if she didn't remember me at all. My heart sank, and I wondered if she had truly forgotten our bond, our love.

Her eyes remained calm, almost indifferent. I tried to hide my disappointment, but it was impossible. "Karishma," I whispered, "kya tumhe yaad nahi... humari dosti, humara pyaar?"

She looked at me, her expression softening just a bit. "Yaad hai, Haseena," she said quietly, "par ab sab kuch alag hai." Her words hit me like a storm, and I struggled to hold back more tears.

Ammi came in between, sensing the tension between us. "Are... Karishma, baitho. Aate hi shuru ho gaye dono," she said with a light-hearted chuckle.

Karishma quickly replied, "Ammi, hame rashan lene market jana hai. Ham chalte hai..."

Before I could process her words, I interjected, "Ham bhi chale..." I hoped Karishma would make some excuse, but to my surprise, she smiled and said, "Haa zaroor, aao tumhe market le kar chalte hai. Bahut din se bahar nahi gaye hogi na."

Anvi, with her puppy eyes, pleaded, "Mai bhi chalu di?"

Ammi, firm but gentle, responded, "Tumhe koi zarurat nahi hai jaane ki. Subah se padha nahi hai. Ja kar padho tab tak ye dono aa jayengi."