I too want a love story - KarEena

2(2). 5 Macchiatos!

The morning rush had just dissipated, Karishma went through the weekly inventory while others went for a leisurely breakfast, in the beginning, they used to argue with her for accompanying them but soon they stopped asking after Karishma's repeated denials. They still tried to pass her some food in the name of a taste test, which is the only thing she would have without any argument.

"Excuse miss" a cheerful voice disturbed her.

It didn't take her heart even a second to jump erratically identifying the owner of the voice. Karishma looked up only to find Haseena adorned in Khakis with the three stars on her shoulder gleaming, her head held high as the proud bearer of the three lions of the India emblem. Karishma stared at Haseena in awe, her eyes not only reflecting her unbridled love for Haseena but also respect and pride.

Haseena smiled removing her glasses, she wanted Karishma to be the first one to see her in uniform, finally, she was living her father's dream and what more she could ask seeing the admiration in Karishma's eyes. Karishma's expression was worth all the panic, running around in her room and the pep talk in the car.

"Can I have 5 Macchiatos, please?" Haseena said

Karishma's eyes widened in shock, "Y... yes" she fumbled trying to enter the order, "anything else, mam?"

"Yes, an Adrak Chai with the owner" Haseena smirked.

Karishma's hands stopped what they were doing, Karishma slowly turned towards Haseena, her heart working relentlessly trying to counter the erratic conditions of its owner. Karishma's eyes glistened with tears as her mind played the past, Haseena said the exact same thing when she came to ask Karishma for their first date. However, her soft eyes went rigid as the past 4 years flashed before her eyes.

"The owner can only meet you if it's for official purposes" Karishma gritted her teeth.

Haseena fell silent and shook her head in no, Karishma nodded, "Anything else, you want to add to the order?" Karishma asked, she didn't want to exchange any conversation with her anymore but years of experience kicked in.

"Some cookies, please" Haseena whispered, her head still low, the head which was held up high with till now became a burden.

"Your number," Karishma asked.

Haseena looked at her with a bright smile, "I have your number, I'll call you" she said excitedly.Karishma rolled her eyes, "It's for the bill, and what good it does if you call now, you should have when you needed to" Karishma glared at her.

Haseena looked at her teary-eyed, her throat struggling to control the rampant sobs building inside her, taking a deep breath she gave her number and her card.

"Your order will be ready in a few minutes. You can sit anywhere" Karishma went to work passing her the bill and the card.

Haseena frowned as Karishma didn't ask for her to type in the pin, she smiled understanding that Karishma had paid it herself, after Karishma proposed to her, she never let Haseena pay for her bill, she always paid it from her own pocket, 'can't I even a buy a coffee for my Sweetness' Karishma used to pout every time Haseena argued and Haseena used to melt before that adorable pout. She sat at the same table where they used to spend lots of hours together every morning for breakfast.

Karishma went around the counter preparing the order, her hands shivering as tremors of anxiety began to kick in. She looked back at Haseena who was in deep thought, it took her whole night to finally accept that Haseena was here and it was not her delusion playing games and now that Haseena sat before she could finally let that sink in fully.