After meeting with Bakshi and Haseena and Karishma reached the station, where the trio were engaged in their usual banter, their voices echoing through the room.
Karishma she raised her voice, bringing an instant hush over the scene. “Kya baketi chal raha hai yahan par? Aur koi ko kaam karne ka maan nahi hai kya?” Her sharp tone commanded attention.
Pushpa, retorted with exaggerated innocence, “Arey, hum bhi kab se keh rahe the kaam karo, par yahan kaun hai jo humari sunta?”
Santu and Cheetah exchanged wide-eyed glances, their surprise quickly morphing into shock.
“Pushpee, aapne kab kaha kaam karne ka?” Santu said, with her full masumiyat.
Pushpa ji ; "Arey, hum pehle se hi keh rahe the" she insisted, doubling down on her claim.
Santu shook her head, “Very bad, Pushpee. Jhuth bolne ka bhi koi had hota hai.”
Their exchange reignited the banter as they started arguing again.
Karishma stepped forward and, with a loud voice, said, “Bas! Bakwas band karo aur kaam pe dhyan do!”
She returned to her table to continue working, while the trio resumed their tasks. However, Haseena stood there, watching Karishma closely. She sensed that something was on Karishma’s mind but decided that she could speak to her later.
The entire day, Haseena remained in her Urmila persona, switching occasionally to her true self as she tried to approach Karishma to find out what was bothering her. Each time, Karishma dismissed her inquiries.
After duty hours, Karishma and Haseena headed home. The journey was marked by silence, and even dinner was eaten in complete quiet.
Unable to bear the tension any longer, Haseena finally asked, “Karishma Singh, subah se dekh rahi hoon, aap khamosh hain. Kya kuch hua hai? Kya aap mujhse kuch kehna chahti hain?”
her voice was soft, filled with concern and a hint of frustration.
Karishma’s eyes slowly met Haseena’s. There was a storm in them, a whirl of unsaid words and emotions that she had been holding back all day. She took a deep breath and spoke, her voice steady but edged with vulnerability.
“Hum? Hum aapse kya kehna, Madam Sir? Kuch hai ya kya? Agar hai toh kya? Aap toh sab kuch apne aap sambhal sakte hain.”
Haseena said, “Karishma Singh, aap kya keh rahi hain?”
Karishma replied, “Aapko pata hai hum kaise mehsoos karte hain? Kal tak aap zinda nahi thi, aur achanak se aap zinda hain aur ye mission, ye natak kya hai, Madamsir? Aap gaadi se girne ke baad kaise bachi? Aur itne din kya hua aapko? Kaise aap Mumbai aayi, humse mulakat hui, aur ye mission kab aur kaise shuru hua? Aur jab aap zinda thi toh kyun aapne hume call nahi kiya ki aap zinda hain?” Karishma's voice cracked, and she found herself on the verge of tears as she blurted out everything that had been festering in her heart. The pain, the hurt, the overwhelming sense of helplessness that she couldn’t save her Madamsir, and the simmering anger all tumbled out.
Haseena's eyes softened as she saw the pain and vulnerability in Karishma’s face. The flood of questions, the trembling voice, and the unshed tears reflected the turmoil Karishma had been holding inside. Haseena took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, feeling the weight of the truth she was about to share.
Karishma,” Haseena began, her voice low and heavy, “mujhe pata hai aapka dil pe kya guzri hogi. Aapka sawaalon ka jawab dena utna hi mushkil hai jitna apke liye unhe poochna tha. Woh din... jab hum gaadi se gire the, woh pal hamesha ke liye sab kuch badal gaya. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha kaise zinda bach gayi, aur jab hosh aaya, toh humne apne aap ko hospital mein paaya. Pehle toh kuch yaad nahi tha, bas itna yaad tha ki aakhri pal mein aap humare saath thi.”
Haseena’s voice quivered as she paused, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Phir ek nurse ne dekha ki main hosh mein aa gayi hoon aur doctor ko bulaya. Doctor ne kaha ki hum theek hain, kuch chot thi par sab sambhal liya gaya. Main bas ek hi cheez puch rahi thi "Karishma Singh aur sab log kahan hain?" Nurse ko kuch nahi pata tha. Usne kaha ki woh aadmi jo mujhe laaya tha, woh shaam ko aayega.
Hum shaam ka intezaar karte hue bas ek umeed thi ki aap aogi. Par jab darwaza khula, toh aap nahi, Bakshi Sir thi.”
Karishma felt a pang of guilt twist in her chest. Why hadn’t she checked the area more thoroughly after the incident? How long had Madamsir waited for her, believing she would come to save her?
Haseena continued, her eyes locked on Karishma, “Bakshi Sir ne mujhe sab kuch samjhaya mira ki hacking , hum par hua attack, aur ye mission... sab kuch. Par ek baat usse samajh nahi aayi thi.”
Karishma’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Ki ek S.H.O. ka accident hua tha, lekin uski koi khabar media mein ya social media par kyun nahi thi, koi afwaah bhi nahi.”
Haseena let out a weary chuckle, “Mujhe pata tha kyun nahi. Aapne hum par hamla karne waale logon ko pakad ke rakha tha. Agar mere zinda nahi ki khabar un tak pahunch jaati, toh sab log underground chali jaate. Aapne sab kuch sambhal ke rakha tha.” Tears shimmered in her eyes as she spoke, the weight of those hidden days clear in her tone.
“Aur jab mujhe yeh sab samajh aaya, toh ye mission anjaam dena zaroori ho gaya. Aapka contact na karne ka faisla aasan nahi tha, Karishma. Par har kadam aapki hifazat ke liye tha. Agar apko sach pata chal jaata, toh apko bhi khatre mein pad jaati,” Haseena’s voice broke, the guilt seeping through each word.
Karishma’s eyes softened as the pieces began to fall into place. The anger and hurt slowly melted into understanding as she reached out, wrapping her arms around Haseena in a heartfelt embrace. The silence between them spoke volumes of forgiveness, pain, and an unbreakable bond.
They both felt the warmth and sukoon in that moment, the weight of unspoken words lifting as they held onto each other, finding solace in the shared strength and resilience that had always defined them.
*******
Continue....
By:-ZJ
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Jab Duty meets LOVE 💕
FanfictionThis story starts from Urmila track with more twist and turns
