"Kyunki maddam sir shadishuda hain."
Karishma blurted out, immediately regretting her words. A question mark appeared on everyone's face.
"Humne unke hath mein anguthi dekhi thi to hume laga ki woh shadi shuda hain." Karishma covered up before anyone of them ask her.
"Haan aur shadishuda nahi bhi hoti to bhi aise kaise kisi ke bhi sath thodi woh shadi kar lengi." Cheetah said.
"Aur nahi to kya? Santu tum bhi kya kuch bhi sochti rahti ho." Pushpa ji scolded santu.
"Sorry."
"Ab chalo sab, maddam sir ko pata chala ki hum kaam karne ki jagah time pass kar rahe hain to sabk line hazir ho jayega."
They four came out of the Nawab saheb's room. Karishma's eyes scanned the area, searching for Haseena. Her brain didn't want to encounter with her but her heart, craved for one glance of her. Such a dilemma.
Before anyone of them could get on their places, Vandana again entered into thana, this time more tensed then before.
She directly went to Haseena's cabin and joined her hands before her.
"Maddam mere pati ka kuch pata chala? Main sach mein bahut sharminda hun, mujhe aap sabki baat maan leni chahiye thi.....maddam mere pati ko dhund dijiye please main aapke hath jodti hun."
"Lekin agar woh mil gaye to bhi tum phirse choti choti baton par gussa karne lagengi."
"Nahi karungi maddam....main wada karti hun ki main apne gusse ko kabu karna sikhungi, main anger management ki classess bhi lungi bas Vishal wapis aa jayen."
"Pakka?" A voice came from behind.
Vandana turned and found her husband was standing there, she immediately ran and hugged him.
"Vandana, Vishal ne yeh sab humare kahne par kiya hai. Hum mafi chahte hain lekin hume aapko yeh ehsas karwana tha ki kabhi kabhi hum gusse mein samne wale ko woh sab kah dete hain jisse unka dil toot jata hai....aur kabhi kabhi rishta bhi." Haseena glanced at Karishma and found she was staring at her," Bhale hi hum woh sab na kahna chahte hon ya us baare mein sochte bhi na hon."
"Isliye jarurat hai to bas do pal ruk kar yeh sochne ki ki hum Jo kahne ja rahe hain usse samne wale par kya bitegi."
"Main samajh gayi maddam. Thank you aapne yeh samay rahte mujhe samjha diya varna humara rishta toot jata."
The couple saluted the team. And went back happily.
Later that day,
Karishma sitting on her chair, her eyes travelled to the cabin, even after stopping herself many times. She found Haseena was reading some files, her back was facing her.
.
.
.
Haseena lifted her head, knowing that Karishma is there, looking at her only. She didn't turn as she knew that if she turn, then either Karishma will look away or the awkwardness will come again.
Honestly she was also dying to talk to her friend. Karishma was the only person, with whom she can be she. Her inner child can come out without any fear of judgement. But the reality is neither that child will come again nor the bond they once shared.
_________
Haseena heard a rustling sound coming from the bushes. She immediately picked a stick from the ground, ready to attack before she was attacked.
The sound slowly grew stronger and stronger, she gripped the stick harder and.... the same rabbit came out from the bushes.
"Tum ho....tumhare chakkar mein hi fase hain yahan. Tumhara kya hai fudak fudak kar kahin bhi chale jaoge. Hume to humare camp wapis Jana padega na."
