LET ME LOVE YOU

MIDNIGHT MUSINGS AND MISCHIEF

A/N- Hey people! This is the second last chapter of this book. Enjoy!!

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It was in the middle of the night, and Haseena was wide awake, playing with the ring on her finger, absent mindedly. Her mind was going back to today's happenings. She was unable to go to sleep. She turned to her side, gazing at Karishma, who was peacefully asleep beside her, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. She affectionately stared at her, in the dim light of the room.

But then a mischievous idea crossed her mind. She wasn't the only one who should be awake in this beautiful, quiet moment. Without overthinking it, Haseena leaned in closer, brushing a strand of hair away from Karishma's face. Her fingers traced the outline of her jaw, her touch light and soft.

"Karishma," she whispered softly, her lips just inches from Karishma's ear. "Uthiye na."

Karishma stirred slightly but didn't wake. Haseena smiled, and pressed a gentle kiss on Karishma's forehead. "I can't sleep," she whispered again, this time allowing her fingers to trail down Karishma's arm.

With a soft groan, Karishma finally blinked her eyes open, the hazy remnants of sleep making her voice groggy. "Haseena...Kya hai?" she mumbled, her voice thick with drowsiness.

Haseena grinned, unable to resist the urge to kiss the corner of Karishma's lips. "Neend nahi aa rahi hai." She said softly.

Karishma, now more awake, turned to face Haseena fully, her hand instinctively reaching out to cup Haseena's cheek. "Aa jayegi, so jaaiye na." She slowly tapped her cheek, closing her eyes again.

But Haseena's voice made her wake again. "Karishma!" She whispered. "Uthiye naa.."

Karishma pulled herself up to sit, yawning hard. "Boliye?"

"Humein neend hi nahi aa rahi hai, toh socha aapko bhi utha dete hain, thoda time pass ho jaayega." She said, sheepishly, playing with Karishma's fingers.

Karishma got angry while listening to her but before she could've said anything, Haseena spoke. "And because I love you."

Karishma sighed, as she glanced at the time. 1:30 A.M. "Boliye, lori gaayein aapke liye?" She asked, earning a glare from Haseena.

"Aap kuch bataiye na aapki family ke baare mein, apne bachpan ke baare mein." She said, turning completely towards her.

"Bachpan mein jab raat hota tha na? Toh hum," She lied down again and closed her eyes. "Aise so jaate thy..." Her voice faded away.

"Karishma Singh!" Haseena made her awake again.

Once Haseena had successfully roused Karishma from her slumber, they agreed that sleep was no longer on their agenda. "Coffee piyengi?"

"Coffee piyenge toh neend nahi aayegi phir." Karishma shared her worry, putting her head on Haseena's shoulder.

"Ek raat aap humare saath baatein karke nahi bita sakti hain, madam Ji?" Haseena started her emotional blackmail, holding her hand.

"Thik hai leke aaiye." Karishma gave in.

"Waah, waah! Hum lekar aayein aur tab tak aap so jaayengi." Haseena said, raising her eyebrows. "Saath mein chaliye."

"Thik hai." Karishma gave in. They slipped out of bed and slowly and silently tiptoed downstairs, to the kitchen, trying their best to move quietly so as not to wake anyone else in the house. As they reached the kitchen, Haseena flicked on a small light, casting a soft glow over the countertops.

She moved to the refrigerator to grab the milk, while Karishma searched for their favorite mugs.

Haseena watched her make coffee, a fond smile playing on her lips. "We should do it more often." She said, hugging Karishma from behind, entwining their fingers.