HIDDEN LOVE (Part 2 of SECRET LOVE)

CHP 1

Haseena's PoV

15th September 2025, 3 saal 6 mahine ho gaye aapse bichde huye, in 3 saal 6 mahino me bahut kuch hua. Esa ek din nahi gaya jab aapko yaad na kiya ho, jab aapse milne ki, aapko dekhne ki, aapse baat karne ki iccha na huyi ho. Aapka contact number hone ke baad bhi vo himmat nahi juta paye ki aapko call kar aapse do pal baat kar sake. Hamne to haar hi man li thi, soch hi liya tha jaise ab ham kabhi aapki aawaj nahi sun payenge, aapko dekh nahi payenge lekin pehli baar hamne jo chaha vo hame mila, pehli baar hamari kismat ne hamara sath diya aur aaj ham aakhirkar aapke paas aa rahe hain.

Just then, Haseena’s phone rang, pulling her out of her reverie. She glanced at the screen and picked up the call.

"Ho gayi tu ready?" came the voice from the other end.

If you’re thinking it’s Bondita, my bestie, you’d be wrong. This was Ishika, my college friend.

"Haan, ho to gaye hain," Haseena sighed, rubbing her temples. "dimag kharab ho gaya lekin hamara is saree ko pahnne me sach me in university walo ka kacchumbar banane ka man kar raha hai kaisa rule bana ke rakha hai padhane jaao to saree pehne ke jaao."

"Arey to ham saree pahan ke jayenge tabhi to ham teacher jaise lagenge na, nahi to bacche hame seriously nahi lenge aur rahi baat dimag kharab hone ki to vo tera sahi kab rahta hai" Ishika teased lightly.

"Haan, kya boli?" Haseena’s mock anger rippled through her words.

"Hehe, nothing, yaar! ye bol rahi ki saree pahnne ki vajah se tera dimag kharab ho gaya to ye soch na ki jab isi saree me tujhe teri ma'am dekhengi to vo to tujhpe lattu ho jayengi na poori aur tu laal tamatar" Ishika teased with a playful lilt in her voice.

"Chup reh! Kuch bhi mat bol haan. We’re running late. I’m leaving for your house right now," Haseena muttered, desperately trying to mask the shyness that was creeping into her voice.

But Ishika’s teasing had already lodged itself in Haseena’s mind. "Ye soch na, jab isi saree me tujhe teri ma'am dekhengi, to vo to tujhpe lattu ho jayengi... aur tu laal tamatar!"

Haseena’s face grew warm, her heart racing at the thought. Will she really look at me like that? What if she does? What will her reaction be when she sees me in this saree…?

Her mind wandered back to a memory—her farewell party. She could still remember the pink saree she had worn that day. Karishma’s gaze had been piercing, locked onto her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken even now. She had complimented Haseena afterward, saying she looked beautiful, and then flirted shamelessly right in the middle of the principal’s speech. It was a memory that had burned itself into her mind, and even now, her cheeks flushed as if it were happening all over again.

That day, too, she couldn’t stop staring at me... And now? When she sees me in this saree again today… Haseena could feel her heart pounding faster, her breath catching in her throat as her imagination painted vivid pictures of the possible encounter.

No, stop it, Haseena! Don’t get carried away. She shook her head, her thoughts turning somber. What if she doesn’t even remember me? What if she’s completely moved on, forgotten all about me? Her excitement wavered, replaced by a gnawing uncertainty. She exhaled slowly, her heart suddenly heavy as doubt clouded her mind.

---

Haseena felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her—happiness, excitement, nervousness, and tension all battling for dominance. The thought of meeting her Karishma ma'am after what felt like an eternity filled her with joy, yet a nagging anxiety lingered: would Karishma ma'am even recognize her after all this time?