SYLLABUS OF LOVE

HEARTFELT STORM

"Wo... Hum... Subah se... Tum log se Hasu suna toh wahi humare zuban par tha... Toh isliye boldiya...", Karishma finally breaks the silence, stammering while trying to make the best excuse.

Haseena clears her throat intentionally, combing her hair back."Come on love birds... Breakfast khatam hone wala hai. Bhooke pait college jana padega."

Santu understood her best friend's intentions, not wanting to create an awkward moment. "Haan... Cheete chal breakfast karte hai. Mujhe bahut bhook lagi hai."

Cheetah coming out of the state of shock, said,"Bilkul chalo."

Santu and Cheetah began to serve their plates while Karishma and Haseena remained at the side, caught in their own little moment. Karishma scratched her eyebrow, searching for a good excuse to break the tension, but the words betrayed her.

"Aap ko kuch kehne ki zaroorat nai hai... Hume sun kar acha laga. You can call me Hasu... I would love to hear from you." Haseena whispered, leaning closer to Karishma, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

With a smile, Haseena turned and walked toward the breakfast buffet, leaving Karishma frozen in place. Her heart raced as butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and a smile unconsciously crept onto her face, melting her early morning worries. Once she gathered her composure, Karishma joined the trio at the table after serving herself.

"What's this?", Karishma asked, concern etched on her face.

Haseena, never one to miss a chance for humor, replied, "This is called a plate... And these are called boiled eggs."

Karishma's expression turned stern, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "Well... Thanks for the information... But where is the rest of the food?"

Haseena raised her cup of black coffee. "Rest is this."

Santu chimed in, shaking her head. "Ma'am... Isse kehne ka koi fayda nai. Main thak gayi ho 2 saal se pukar kar lekin ye kisi ki nai sunti."

Haseena furrowed her eyebrows, defensive. "Excuse me! Isse diet kehte hai. Banda apna khayal bhi toh rakhe."

Cheetah added, "Haan yeh toh hai. Health conscious hona chahiye."

Karishma looked between the two of them. "Aur itna kaafi hai?"

Cheetah shrugged. "Just enough till lunch."

Haseena shared a high-five with Cheetah. "Yeh hai humara dost."

Karishma crossed her arms, her tone strict. "Humare samne yeh sab nai chalega. Jao abhi ke abhi kuch dhang breakfast lekar aao... Breakfast is complimentary, they aren't charging for it.", She taunted her.

Haseena took a nonchalant bite of her egg. "Humari diet kharab hogi."

Karishma quipped, "Ohh really! Toh kal raat ko jab cheese, fried chicken aur cold drinks pee jaa rahi thi tab tumhe diet yaad nai aayi?"

Haseena said casually sipping her coffee, "Kabhi-kabhi chalta hai."

Karishma shot back, her sarcasm sharper now,"Aur jo roz canteen mein tum junk khati ho uska kya? Shayad kabhi ka matlab badal gaya hai, kabhi ka matlab roz hai."

Haseena adopted a playful but defensive tone. "Par hum breakfast hi nai karte. I only have black coffee. At least I can be healthy in the morning."

Karishma said with determination. "Toh hum ne bhi kaha na... Hume samne yeh sab nai chalega." She took Haseena's plate. "Lao hum late hai."

Haseena turned, taking her plate back. "Par hum kha hi nai payenge."

Karishma snatched the plate again. "Kyu nai kha paogi?"