Ishq Inteha

dil ko karaar aaya

I started looking towards the door. The white curtains flowed like a river, casting gentle shadows on their faces. Vanika entered, laughing like mad, her fingers clutching her stomach as she tried to control her laughter. Behind her was Kashish, bursting out in loud guffaws. Their laughter echoed through my chambers, and I forced a light smile, trying to hide the tears welling up in my eyes.

Vanika opened her eyes, still laughing, but the moment she saw me, her laughter abruptly stopped. Her expression changed as she observed me closely. I glanced at myself, checking to see if something was amiss because I didn’t want them to notice anything. Kashish, too, quietened, her eyes filled with doubt as they both stared at me.

They came closer, and I instinctively lowered my gaze, avoiding eye contact to hide my tear-streaked face and its redness. Vanika gently cupped my chin, tilting my face upwards. Her furrowed eyebrows told me she already suspected something was wrong.

I averted my eyes, knowing that one look into hers would break my resolve. If I dared to meet her gaze, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from spilling everything. And I couldn’t—Vanika always worried too much.

"Idhar dekh," she said in her so-called strict voice.

Reluctantly, I raised my swollen, red eyes to meet hers.

Kashish, now serious, said, “Kya hua hai, Yuvi? Itni—”

Before she could finish her sentence, I turned abruptly and walked towards the window.

Vanika followed closely behind. "Kya hua hai, Yuvi?"

I whispered, trying to steady my voice, "Kuch bhi toh nhi."

Kashish chimed in with a slightly stern tone, “Pagal samajh rahi hai na tu hume?”

Vanika added, “Haan, sirf yeh pagal hai. Main samajhdaar hoon.”

Kashish shot her a "bombastic side eye.

Vanika raised her voice slightly. "Batayegi  ya apni pe aau?"

Kashish lightly tapped her head and said, “Woh pehle se itni dari hui hai, aur dara de usse.”

Vanika replied with mock irritation, “Ooo, shukriya itna gyaan dene ke liye.”

Kashish shrugged. “Iski koi zarurat nahi thi. Yeh toh mera roj ka kaam hai, anapadho ko gyaan dena.”

Vanika retorted, “Iske liye toh nahi, par tere liye apni pe aana hi padega.”

Kashish smirked. "Yuvi itni udaas hai aur tujhe gussa aa raha hai, besharam."

Vanika dismissed her with a wave. "Ghar chaliye aap aaj. Bataate hain aapko acche se."

Vanika turned towards me. I was still staring out of the window, lost in the late-night memories that wouldn’t leave me.

Taking my hand in hers, she said softly, "Yuvi, bta de na, kya ho gaya? Kyu itni udaas hai? Aur tujhe bohot acche se pata hai, agar tu udaas hoti hai na toh—”

Before she could finish, Kashish interrupted, “Is devi ka gussa badh jaata hai.”

Vanika rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Shaant rahegi thode samay ke liye?”

Kashish put her fingers on her lips and teased, “Nahi.”

Suddenly, a hiccup escaped my mouth. I had been holding back my tears for too long. Both of them rushed to me, alarmed. I knew they hadn’t expected me to cry like this—I was usually the most enthusiastic audience of their playful fights.

Vanika turned me towards her, cupping my tear-streaked face. “Kya hua, bacha?”

Her eyes brimmed with concern and worry, while Kashish stood beside her, equally anxious. Unable to hold back any longer, I broke down and hugged Vanika tightly.