The morning sun streams through the window of Ruhi’s apartment, its rays gently rousing KS from her sleep. She groans, squinting against the light and rubbing her eyes, her head throbbing from a hangover. Ruhi walks in, a concerned look on her face, carrying a steaming cup of black coffee. "Here, baby," she says softly, offering the cup to KS.
KS takes the cup, nodding in gratitude, and sips the coffee, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Her eyes catch the clock on the wall—it’s already 7 AM. Panic sets in as she remembers Amma's request for her to come home early and that today is HM's birthday, the day of their special ritual. Guilt floods her. Seeing her distress, Ruhi wraps her arms around KS, trying to comfort her. "Kya hua, baby?" she asks gently.
KS quickly pulls away, muttering, "Mujhe jaana hoga," and rushes out the door, leaving Ruhi looking concerned but understanding.
At home, KS finds PS, NM, Santu, and Billu seated at the breakfast table. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying. PS, noticing her distress, beckons her to join them for breakfast. Hesitantly, KS sits down, fearful of PS's reaction.
PS, her voice gentle yet filled with concern, asks, "Kya hua hai, betu? Ye aankhe kyu laal hain?"
KS tries to speak but chokes on her words, her eyes welling up with tears again. She begins to sob, the weight of her guilt overwhelming. PS pulls her into a warm, comforting hug, while NM rubs her back soothingly. After a few moments, KS calms down a bit and kneels before PS and NM, her heart heavy with remorse.
"Amma, Ammi, humein maaf kar dijiye. Humse galti hui hai. Hum ab aisa kabhi nahi karenge. Humne aap logon ka dil dukhaya hai," KS says, her voice cracking.
PS and NM exchange confused looks but figure KS is still feeling guilty about yesterday. They both kiss her forehead lovingly. PS says, "Betu, hum tumse gussa nahi hain. Haan, thoda sa bura laga tha, par hota hai kabhi kabhi. Ab zyada pareshan mat ho. Tum rote hue bilkul achi nahi lagti ho. Agar aur royi to hum tumhe rajma chawal nahi denge aaj."
KS chuckles through her tears. NM adds, "Karu beta, ammi tumse bhala naraz ho sakti hain kya?" She hugs KS tightly.
KS sighs in relief, looking over at Santu and Billu, who smile reassuringly. Feeling more relaxed, she remembers she still needs to apologize to HM. She quickly freshens up and heads to HM's house.
HM is getting ready in her room, her back to the door, when she senses KS’s presence. She turns around, and seeing the tear-streaked face of KS, her expression softens with concern. "Karu, kya hua?" HM asks, worry lining her features.
KS steps closer, taking HM’s hand in hers. "Sorry, Hasu. Humne wo jaanbujh kar nahi kiya. Hame maaf kar do. Hum kaise kar sakte hain aise? Hume khud par gussa aa raha hai," KS says, her voice breaking, tears welling up again.
HM quickly wipes KS's tears with her thumbs, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's okay, Karu. Humein pata hai aapne jaanbujh kar nahi kiya. Aur hum aapse naraz bhi nahi hain," she whispers reassuringly.
KS, shocked but relieved, leans back to look into HM’s eyes, a mixture of emotions playing across her face. "Tum college jaa rahi ho? Main tumhe chhod deti hoon," KS offers, a small smile breaking through her anxiety. HM nods, and they leave for college together.
After dropping HM off, KS heads to her own college, attending her classes. During the lunch break, she heads to the canteen where Ruhi and Mishri are already sitting.
humein tumhari madad chahiye. Haseena ke liye humein gift lena hai. Tum chalogi?" KS asks Mishri, her eyes still showing traces of her earlier distress.
Mishri hesitates, glancing at her phone, "Krishu, main chalti, par Amar ne mujhe date pe bulaya hai, toh mujhe wahan jaana hai."
Ruhi interrupts, sensing KS's need for company, "Main free hoon. Main chalungi, baby."
YOU ARE READING
Love Beyond Time
Fanfiction--- **Wrestling with her own emotions, Karishma stood motionless, gazing out at the view before her. Her thoughts were a tumultuous whirlpool, pulling her deeper with every passing second.** _Wo dard bh kmal h jab tujhko khud hi khud ki hwale kiya_...
