Aa Bi Jaa - Kareena

34

Continuation......

Haseena looked at Karishma. "Ap yahan py kia kar rahi han, Karishma Singh?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Karishma's mind raced, searching desperately for a believable excuse. "Ap say pouchna ap humry sath dinner pay chlen gi." She blurted out.

Haseena couldn't help it she burst out laughing, her voice echoing through the quiet night. Karishma stared at her, confused and a little embarrassed. "Ap hans kahe rahi han, madam sir?"

"Karishma Singh, ap ghar say yahan tak humry peechy ai han, aur kahin py bi ap ko moqa ni mila yeh bat pouchny ka? Humen ghar pay rok kr pouch lti."

Karishma's thoughts tumbled in her mind. "This was the worst excuse ever," she thought. But now, what could she do? She had already said it.

Haseena, calming down from her laughter, added with a teasing tone, "Karishma Singh, ap mat koi bahana bnaya kijeyay. Pata chale asi hi Kisi situation ma ai aur ap ko Kuch ni soja aur ap ny Kisi ko propose ho kar dia."

Karishma, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, muttered, "Madam sir, ap hans lijeyay achy say. Hum jate han," and she turned to leave, hoping to escape the situation.

But before she could take another step, Haseena reached out and gently held her hand, pulling her back. causing their faces to be mere inches apart, Karishma's breath hitched as she felt her breath on her face, haseena searched her eyes for a moment and than her gently fingers brush against her face, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear with a care that made her heart race. "Ap say kaha kiyun nae jata kay ap ko humri fikar ti, is liyay ai ap yahan tak, kia yeh bohat muskil ha kehna," Haseena softly asked.

Karishma lowered her eyes, feeling her heart race by the proximity and moreover with the question. Haseena was right she had come because she was worried about her. But why was it so difficult to admit that to her?

Haseena looked at her for a moment and understand she has to go a long way go to break this barrier and hesitation between them.

"Ab chalen?" she softly asked.

Karishma looked up, with a faster heart rate and nodded. Haseena released her wrist, and together they started to walk.

As they walked side by side, Karishma's thoughts raced, but a sense of relief settled in her chest. "Acha hua, ak teer sy do shikar," she mused. "Madam Sir kay sath b aa gay, wo b safe han, aur jaldi jaldi ma dinner ki baat b kr li. Nae tou pata ni aur kitna sochte rehte kay kasy pochen gay unhen kia kahen gay."

Haseena glanced at her, noticing the slight smile playing on Karishma's lips. "Wasay, Karishma Singh, ap ko dar nae tou lag raha ha yahan?"

"Dar kis sy? Hum kahe daren gay, pura shehar hum say darta ha." Her voice was confident.

"Han, sae baat ha," Haseena agreed with a nod, then added teasingly, "Lekin, in case, agar ap ko zara sa b dar lage na, tou ap humra haath pukar skti han."

Karishma stopped in her tracks, startled by Haseena's words. Her mind scrambled. "In ka smasya kia ha? Khud kahe nae krti han kuch, jo b krna hota ha, ghooma pheera kar hum pay dal deti han. Pehle dinner aur ab yeh... saaf saaf kahe ni keh sakti?"

Haseena, still walking few steps a head, could hear Karishma's faint blabbering and felt a surge of happiness at the effect she was having on her. She turned with a smile and called back, "Karishma Singh, ayay na, wahin khara rehna ha kia ap nay rat bar?"

"G," Karishma muttered, realizing she'd been standing still, and quickly walked toward Haseena.

As they began walking together Haseena reached out and took Karishma's hand in hers. The gesture was simple, yet it held a world of meaning.