Jab Duty meets LOVE 💕

Part-16

Next Morning:

In Karishma's room, Haseena and Karishma were sleeping peacefully. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the window, gently disturbing Karishma’s sleep. She opened her eyes slowly, and her gaze fell on Haseena, who was still asleep, her features serene and relaxed. A soft smile crept across Karishma’s face as she watched Haseena, a warmth spreading in her chest that she couldn’t ignore.

Careful not to disturb Haseena's sleep, Karishma quietly got out of bed and went to freshen up. After getting ready, she returned to the room, rummaging through the old storage loft, searching for something. The sound of gentle movement stirred Haseena from her sleep. Blinking awake, Haseena’s eyes adjusted to the morning light and landed on Karishma, who was standing on her toes, reaching for the loft searching for something.

“Karishma singh,” Haseena’s voice, soft and laced with sleep, caught her attention.

Karishma turned slightly startled "Good morning, madam sir," she said, scratching her neck, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she brushed off some dust from her hands.

Just then, some dust from the loft fell and got into Karishma’s eyes. She winced, "Ama bhak" , trying to blink it away. Haseena’s sleepy expression quickly turned concerned as she got out of bed and moved toward Karishma.

“Rukiye ek minute,” Haseena said softly. Without hesitation, she leaned in, cupping Karishma’s face gently as she blew air into her eyes to help remove the dust. Their faces were so close, the warmth of Haseena’s breath fanning across Karishma’s skin. The moment stretched between them, their eyes met with an intensity that sent a shiver down Karishma’s spine.

Karishma’s breath caught as she felt the soft touch of Haseena’s fingers on her cheek, gentle yet electrifying. The air between them grew charged, heavy with emotions that words failed to express. For a brief moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The room, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, and the quiet hum of life beyond the window all disappeared, leaving just the space they shared. It was as though time had paused, holding its breath alongside them.

Haseena’s heartbeat quickened as she looked into Karishma’s eyes, so close that she could see the subtle shift of color in her cheeks. The warmth radiated from Karishma’s skin, the way her breath feathered across Haseena’s lips it was intoxicating. Neither moved, each waiting for the other to break the delicate tension that wrapped around them like an embrace.

Karishma’s hand, still resting near Haseena’s, shifted slightly, their fingers brushing against one another. It was a touch so light yet so profound that it sent a wave of warmth through both of them. Her gaze fell to Haseena’s lips for a fraction of a second before meeting her eyes again. Haseena’s gaze mirrored hers, holding a silent question.Just as they began to lean in unconsciously....

A sudden sound of Santu's voice made them both jolt, the delicate moment shattering like glass.

“Pushpa ji!” Santu’s shout echoed from outside, cutting through the fragile silence that had wrapped around them.

The spell was broken. Karishma and Haseena glanced around, the charged atmosphere dissipating as they struggled to regain composure. Neither dared to meet the other’s eyes, the unspoken words between them left hanging in the air.

“Pushpa ji!” Santu’s voice called again, more insistent this time, pulling everyone’s attention.

Outside

Hearing Santu’s urgent tone, the peace of the early morning scattered. Cheetah, who had been sleeping soundly on the couch, jerked awake, eyes wide with confusion. In the kitchen, Pushpa ji, who had been preparing breakfast paused at work, her brow furrowing with worry.

Everyone hurried to see what was happening. The shared glance of concern swept through the house, as they gathered near the pushpa ji's room, a mix of concern and apprehension in their expressions.

Cheetah asked, his voice filled with panic,“Santu ji! Santu ji! Kya hua aapko? Aap theek hai na?”.

Pushpa ji followed, her tone equally concerned. “Haan, Santu! Kya hua, kyun chilla rahi thi, tum theek ho na?”

Santu’s expression, which had initially seemed serious, softened into something more exasperated yet oddly comical.

“Pushpa jiii.. ,” Santu said, taking a dramatic pause that made everyone lean in a little closer, “aapka bathroom ka nal ek dum perfect hai,
aap please mujhe aapke plumber ka number dijiye na please, please.”

Everyone was shocked by Santu statement about the bathroom tap. A collective sigh of relief followed, along with an awkward silence as everyone processed what she had said. Pushpa ji’s eyes widened for a moment, clearly taken aback by the unexpected outburst.

“Arre Santu, Tum toh hum sabko dara diya,” Pushpa ji said keeping her hand on chest.

Santu replied, "Pushpa ji, aapko toh pata hai , hamare quater ka nal kabhi kabhi kharab ho jata hai, aur hum kab se plumber dhoondh rahe hain hum."

Cheetah muttered, "Uff, ye nal ka maso.. maa.. maa..." as he saw Karishma glaring at him with a death glare. He quickly changed his sentence, "Maa, Monday hai na mam aaj, aur hum thane ke liye ja rahe hain, Jai hind madam" he escaped before Karishma scold him.

Santu as usual with masumiyat says , "Pushpa ji, aaj toh Thursday hai na, par Cheetah kyun Monday bol raha tha?"

Out of nowhere, Cheetah returned and said, "Uff, ye din wali masoomiyat!" before running away again, this time vanishing at the speed of a real cheetah. Everyone stared in surprise, watching in disbelief as he disappeared.

*******

Continue...
By:-ZJ