KAREENA: A Love Story

21. Rose Day

A/N: Thank you so much for all the welcome notes on the Recap. I am at a loss of words and emotional with all the love and support you guys have showered on this story.
Personal life ki aisi waatt lagi huyi hain ki romance ke naam se chidh ho rahi hain but just for aap logon ke itna pyar aur saath diya hain ki I have found the strength to push through all the mess and write again. But struggles are still on toh agar chapter pasand na aye then sorry; please bhool chookh maaf kar dena🙏🏽
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Karishma Singh nervously looked at Haseena Mallik as the latter drove in total silence. Haseena was going to drop Karishma home on her way to the Headquarters. Karishma had asked about what kind of work could there be at the HQ so early in the morning (since most senior government officials began their day not before 11AM). Haseena's reply had been vague, unsatisfactory. And then silence again.

'Aap abhi bhi naraaj hain humse?' said Karishma dejectedly.

Haseena shot her a look. 'Nahi... lekin sazaa aapko milegi.'

'Sajaa? Ittu si baat ke liye? Waise bhi humne toh sirf dhakka mara tha. Balance aap nahi rakh payi aur bed se gir gayi. Is mein humari bas 50% galti hain!' Karishma complained.

Haseena glared at her. 'Achha? Phir thik hain...'

'Haan bhool jaate hain...' said Karishma quickly.

'... Dono ko sazaa de dete hain,' continued Haseena, unperturbed. '

Karishma's face fell.

'... Agle ek hafte hum dono kiss nahi karenge,' said Haseena decisively.

Karishma looked understandably horrified. 'EK HAFTA??? Yeh bilkul bhi fair nahi hain!'

Haseena shrugged unapologetically. 'Ab jaisa hain waisa hain... Agar sazaa kam karwani hain toh phir... manaiye humko...' she said with a half-smile.

'Kaise?' said Karishma, looking immediately hopeful.

'Yeh bhi hum batayein? Aap dekh lo kya karna hain, kaise karna hain...'

Haseena bit her lip to prevent her smile from widening. She glanced at Karishma who was sat there, frowning in thought, nibbling on her thumb, looking adorably perplexed like she had been given a huge mathematical problem to solve.

Haseena decided to take pity on the hapless individual and give her a clue. 'Waise kuch notice kiya hain aapne?' She indicated towards the road around them.

Karishma studied their surroundings and remarked. 'Phoolwale jyada hain aaj chaaro taraf.... Gulaab bech rahe hain...'

'Hmm aaj Rose Day hain,' said Haseena happily.

'Maaliyon ka bhi special divas hota hain?' said Karishma in wonder.

Haseena fought the urge to bang her head on the steering wheel. Koi baat nahi Haseena, she told herself. Kismat mein Buddhu Singh likhi hain. Adjust kar lo.

'Maali ka din kyun hoga Karishma Singh? Rose Day Valentine's Week ka first day hota hain,' said Haseena patiently. 'Aaj ke din log jinko pasand karte hain unko gulaab dete hain!'

'Oho! Woh Topa Walon ka Week aa gaya? Arrey ab jyada chaukanna rehna padhega. Iss time pe pasand-pyar ki aarhh mein bohot log badtameeji karte hain. Patrol officers ko instruction dena padhega. Pata nahi kiske dimag se yeh fazool ka wahiyaat idea nikalta hain! Ek Topa Divas kam tha? Ab pura hafta chonchle baaji chalegi.

'Ek baat bataiye Madam Sir, log itne bewakoof kaise ho sakte hain? Unko samajh nahi aata ki yeh sab nautanki badhe badhe vyapariyon ka kiya karaya hain, unke paise ainthne ke liye? Pyar ke liye koi ek din ya ek hafta kaahe? Pyar har din dikhaya jaa sakta hain na? Aur humne kaa galat kaha... aaj toh Maali logo ka hi profit hone wala hain naA—Aahh!'