Chapter 18 : Pehchaan Ki Safar!

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As the days turned into weeks, Haseena's curiosity and suspicion about Aadhira only grew. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this young girl than met the eye. Aadhira's presence brought a strange comfort, yet also a persistent sense of déjà vu.

One evening, as they sat together in the living room, Haseena decided to delve a bit deeper. " Aadhira tumhare parents kaha pe hain? Tum unse milne nahi jaati ? Ya baat bhi nahi karti ? "

Aadhira's face clouded for a moment before she forced a smile. " Woh... humare parents ab nahi hain. Hum akeli hi hain. "

Haseena's heart ached at the thought. " I'm sorry to hear that " she said softly. " Yahan pe tumhe koi problem toh nahi ho rahi ? "

Aadhira shook her head. "Nahi, sab thik hai. Aap tension na lo "

Despite Aadhira's reassurances, Haseena couldn't help but notice the little things. The way Aadhira instinctively knew where everything was in the house, her familiarity with the routines, and her uncanny resemblance to Karishma in both looks and behavior. It was as if she had lived there all her life.

One day, Haseena was working on her laptop, engrossed in her office meetings and Aadhira was in her school.  It was break time from the office hours. The house was quiet, and Haseena's mind kept drifting back to the uncanny similarities between Aadhira and Karishma. 

One day, Haseena was working on her laptop, engrossed in her office meetings while Aadhira was at school. It was break time from the office hours. The house was quiet, and Haseena's mind kept drifting back to the uncanny similarities between Aadhira and Karishma.

" Yeh kya kar rahi aap ? Dhyaan toh dijiye thoda... " A stern voice broke her reverie, and she looked up to find Aadhira holding her hand.

" Tum... Tum kab aayi ? " Haseena stammered, surprised.

" Jab aap chai ke saath apni ungli bhi boil kar rahi thi...! " Aadhira replied with a playful grin.

Haseena looked down and realized she had been so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed her finger dangerously close to the hot tea. She quickly pulled her hand away, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. " Oh.... thank you, Aadhira. Main bilkul dhyan nahi de rahi thi. "

Aadhira shook her head. " Wo toh dikh hi raha hai "

" Lekin tum andar kaise aayi....? " Haseena asked, narrowing her eyebrows after so many days.

" Aap bhul rahi hai, mere paas extra keys hoti hai. " Aadhira smiled.

" Oh ha! " Haseena nodded.

" Hum apne room mei jaate hai phir, khayal rakhna aap. " Aadhira said.

" Haa, fresh ho jaao. " Haseena said, being absent minded.

Aadhira turned back suddenly. " Agar apko koi aitraaz na ho, toh kya hum apko didi keh sakte hai...? "

When Aadhira asked for permission to call her "didi," Haseena's heart skipped a beat. A rush of emotions flooded her mind. She felt a deep sense of warmth and connection, as if a missing piece of her life had suddenly fallen into place.

She felt a mix of joy and sadness. Joy, because Aadhira's presence had brought a sense of hope and comfort back into her life. Sadness, because it reminded her of the void left by Karishma's absence. 

With a gentle smile, she responded, " Of course, Aadhira. Tum mujhe didi keh sakti ho. Lekin mujhe jhelna aasan nhi hoga. " 

Aadhira's face lit up with happiness " Hume aasan chizein pasand hai bhi nahi didi... " she said with a playful wink.

One question still nagged at Haseena's mind. How did Aadhira manage to pay her rent? She had never seen Aadhira working or receiving any money from anyone. 

Haseena decided to ask it, she called her from behind " Aadhira "

" Ha boliye " Aadhira turned back.

" Aadhira... tum rent kaise manage karti ho? Tumhe koi financial problem toh nahi ho rahi ? " Haseena asked, a little hesitant about the question.

Aadhira looked up, a bit surprised by the question. "Nahi didi. Mere paas kuch savings hain jo main use karti hoon. Aap fiqr mat kijiye. "

Haseena nodded, but her curiosity was piqued. " Savings? Tum itni young ho, itni savings kaise ho gayi tumhare paas ? "

Aadhira hesitated for a moment before replying. " Woh... mere parents ne kuch paise chhod diye the mere liye. Main wahi use karti hoon. "

Haseena nodded, not asking any more questions that would make Aadhira uncomfortable. And here, Aadhira quickly left towards her room.

" Aaj wo apne aapko chot pohchane wali thi... I can't see her in this condition " Aadhira whispered to herself as she closed her bedroom door, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and...





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