Aa Bi Jaa - Kareena

36

Continuation.....

"Ab maaf kar dejeyay humen...."

As the words hit her ears, she looked at Haseena’s face, her heart twisted in pain as she saw the person she cherished the most, the one whose happiness mattered above all else, now drowning in tears.
Her face was a canvas of feelings, there was pain, the kind of pain that signifies her battles she fought silently, scars left behind by moments of weakness and fear. But deeper than that, there was guilt, in her eyes, guilt for the things she had kept hidden, for the times she couldn’t bring herself to speak or reach out.

Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to plead for forgiveness. It was a silent apology, Yet, beneath all the pain and guilt, the most overwhelming emotion was love pure, unconditional love that poured from her every glance, every unspoken word. It was the kind of love that had no boundaries, that didn’t ask for anything in return, a love so immense it seemed to overflow, almost too much for Karishma to hold inside.

Haseena's hands still held Karishma’s, trembling. Karishma, sense that and without waiting for another moment, gently made her move. Haseena, sensing her gesture, looked up at her, with her eyes swollen with tears. Without a word, Karishma leaned forward and, with a tenderness wiped Haseena's tears gently. Her own hands trembled, and as she brushed away the tears from Haseena’s cheeks, her own started to spill, tracing a path down her face.

Even as her tears fell, Karishma's focus remained on Haseena. She slowly guided her up, and made her sit beside her. Haseena, still broken, didn’t say a word. Instead, without hesitation, she pulled Karishma into her embrace, as if her silence spoke louder than any words could.

For a moment, Karishma felt paralyzed, her thoughts swimming in the reality of Haseena’s embrace. She could feel Haseena’s soft breaths against her neck, and the wetness of her tears soaking into her shoulder. The warmth of her closeness, mingled with the cold night breeze, sent a shiver down her spine.

With hesitant hands, unsure but compelled by an overwhelming need to offer comfort, Karishma slowly raised her arms and slowly wrapped around haseena. The moment her arms encircled her, Haseena felt the reciprocation she so desperately longed for. She smile through her tears and made her grip tightened around Karishma, as if she never wanted to let go, as if this moment was her only anchor in the storm that had raged within her for so long.

For a while, neither of them said anything. They simply held each other, their emotions were pressing down on them, yet at the same time lifting some of the burden they both carried. In each other’s arms, they found solace no words, no explanations, just the pure, undeniable comfort of being together in this moment.

Haseena gently broke the embrace, her tear streaked face lifting into a soft smile. "Aaj bohat bara bojh utar gaya humare dil se," she said, with relief.

She held Karishma's hands tightly, her gratitude shining through her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered sincerely, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months.

Karishma, still holding her hands, looking at her. Haseena, noticing the intensity of her gaze, tilted her head in curiosity. "Kya hua?" she asked.

Without a word, Karishma shook her head and stood up. "Ek minute," she said, hurrying inside.

Haseena watched her, confused, wondering what Karishma was up to. Moments later, Karishma returned, her expression were more serious now. She sat down next to Haseena again, holding something in her hand. She looked at Haseena as she gently placed the small object in Haseena's palm.

"Yeh rahi ap ki amanat," Karishma said softly,  "ap ki pendrive."

Haseena looked down at the small device in her hand, and than Her eyes flickered from the pendrive to Karishma, disbelief and confusion clouding her face. "Kaise? Yeh toh apne humare samne Anubhav ko di thi?"