Aa Bi Jaa - Kareena

41

Around 3.00pm......

As Haseena left for engagement, the room filled with silence. Karishma sank down onto the bed, the ring clasped tightly in her trembling hands. Her foot was tapping restlessly on the floor. "Tou phir hum honesty ke saath khud ko is rishtey ke hawale kar denge. Byshak humein apna dil maarna pare"

As haseena words echoed in her mind she clenched her hands together with such force that her knuckles turned white, as if by holding on so tightly she could control the storm of emotions threatening to break through her already fragile composure.

"Hum dobara kabhi aap ki taraf mur kar bhi nahi dekhenge.... aap humara past hongi."

She took a huge sum of air as she tried to regulate her breathing, but it was futile. Her eyes started to betrayed her as tears spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks.

She pressed her palms together even harder, her grip slipping with the wetness of her tears.

Each tear that fell was a silent cry, an admission of the pain she’d been trying so hard to hide. The ring was cold and weighty in her palm, felt like a cruel reminder of everything she couldn’t have everything she was about to lose. Karishma’s breath started to came in  bursts, her body trembled as the tears kept flowing, one after another, leaving her feeling more vulnerable than ever.

"Humein engagement hone se pehle tak, akhri lamhe tak aapka intezar rahega," She leaned forward, lowering her head between her palms meanwhile by doing so the ring slipped from her grasp for a moment, but she was too quick to caught it, cradling it carefully as if it was her last tether to Haseena. But no matter how tightly she held on the ring, what was coming on her way was making her each breath feel heavier, each tear more unbearable.
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Downstairs, the atmosphere was buzzed with excitement as all the guests arrived, filling the space with conversations and laughter. Anubhav was standing on one side, smiling warmly as he greeted those around him. Pushpa G, Santosh, and Cheetah were engaged in conversation with Ami, who was overseeing the last-minute arrangements with her usual calm but commanding presence.

Haseena stood near in the middle of the hall, her were eyes repeatedly darting toward the stairs. Her heart thudded in her chest. Mannat who noticed her restless gaze and came over, "Haseena, agar wo nahi ayi toh?" she asked quietly, leaning closer to avoid anyone overhearing.

Haseena swallowed hard, her hands trembled slightly. "Humen pura yakeen hai wo aayengi," She trusted Karishma knew she would come but the fear of what might happen if she didn’t weighed heavily on her heart.

Mannat gave her a sympathetic look. "Incase agar nahi aayi... tum kar logi engagement?"

Haseena exhaled shakily, just mere thought of doing it send shiver in her whole being. "Humen daar lag raha hai, Mannat. Please... abhi yeh negative baaten mat karo. Humen yakeen hai... wo aayengi,"

She insisted, as her eyes drifting back toward the staircase, almost willing Karishma to appear. "Wo aayengi," she repeated, as much to herself as to Mannat.

"I hope so.....," Mannat whispered, glancing at the time.

Just then, Anubhav approached, "Kya hua, Haseena G? Aap kuch chintit lag rahi hain,"

Haseena forced a smile, shaking her head slightly. "Nahi, aisi koi baat nahi hai," She said, trying to sound casual, and her eyes flickered once more to the stairs, betraying her inner turmoil.

At that moment, Santu stepped onto the stage, commanding the attention of the room with a smile as she prepared to address the guests. Haseena’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse quicken by each passing second, and Karishma was nowhere in sight. Ami called for them to join her on stage.