"Love in the Shadows of Pain"
The night after Karishma’s vulnerable admission, the atmosphere in their home was charged with unspoken emotions. Haseena had felt the shift in him—a man struggling against the chains of his past, reaching for something he wasn’t sure he deserved. But she also saw the flickers of tenderness he tried so hard to hide.
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"The Walls Begin to Crumble"
Karishma spent the next day in his office, unable to focus on work. His thoughts kept returning to Haseena’s unwavering gaze, the warmth of her touch, and the sincerity in her words. For years, he had used anger and cruelty as his armor, but her kindness was breaking through in ways he hadn’t expected.
By the time he returned home, the sun had set, and the house was quiet. Haseena was in the living room, seated on the floor with a blanket draped over her shoulders. She was reading a book, but her eyes lifted the moment she heard him enter.
“You’re late,” she said softly, a hint of concern in her voice.
Karishma paused, his gaze lingering on her longer than he intended. “I needed time to think,” he admitted, surprising even himself.
Haseena set the book aside, patting the space next to her. “Then sit. Let’s talk.”
He hesitated, but something in her tone pulled him forward. He sat beside her, his hands resting awkwardly on his knees.
“What’s on your mind?” she asked gently.
For a moment, he remained silent, staring at the floor. Then he spoke, his voice low. “You’re too good for me, Haseena. I don’t know why you’re still here.”
“Because I believe in you,” she said without hesitation.
He turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “Even after everything I’ve done?”
“Especially after everything,” she replied. “Because I see the man you can be, Karishma. You just need to see him too.”
Her words stirred something deep within him, a longing he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years. He reached out hesitantly, his fingers brushing against her hand.
“I don’t want to hurt you anymore,” he murmured.
“Then don’t,” she whispered back, her voice trembling with emotion.
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"The First Steps Toward Healing"
The night stretched on as they sat together, their silence more profound than words. Karishma’s hand tightened around Haseena’s, and for the first time, he allowed himself to lean on someone else.
Haseena rested her head against his shoulder, her heart swelling with hope. She knew the road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but in that moment, she believed they could face it together.
TO BE CONTINUED
