Jab Duty meets LOVE 💕

Part-23

Karishma took slow steps toward the living room, where Haseena sat quietly, her expression unreadable. The air between them felt heavier than ever, as though words unsaid had begun to fill the space.

Gathering her courage, Karishma sat down across from Haseena. She carefully set her phone aside, seated opposite her, and began to speak. “Madamsir… hum aapko sach batayenge. Woh sach jo ab tak sirf teen logon ko pata tha… lekin ab aapko bhi batana zaroori hai.”

Haseena’s gaze softened slightly, though her demeanor remained calm and composed. “Toh batayiye, Karishma Singh kya hai ye.”

Karishma took a deep breath, her voice low but steady. “Madamsir… hum shaadi shuda nahi hain. Aur jo log sochte hain ki hum aur Pushpa Ji ke laala ne shaadi ki hai… woh bas ek dikhawa hai. Ek nakli shadi.”

Haseena’s eyebrows lifted slightly, though she didn’t seem surprised. “Toh aap aur Pushpa Ji ka laala… woh bhi Rajeev aur Priya ki tarah ek natak kar rahe hain? Kya yeh sach hai?”

Karishma quickly shook her head, clarifying, “Nahi, Madamsir. Humari baat aur Rajeev aur Priya ki situation mein farq hai. Humne yeh sab apni personal freedom ke liye nahi kiya. Humari shaadi ka natak ek zaroorat thi… jo humare liye bhi unexpected thi.”

Haseena’s expression remained unreadable as she leaned forward slightly, her sharp eyes fixed on Karishma. “Unexpected? Kya matlab hai iska? Yeh shaadi ka natak aap dono ne kyun kiya?”

Karishma exhaled deeply, as though gathering her strength to say what she had held back for so long. Her voice softened, a mix of vulnerability and resolve.

“Madamsir, yeh sab ek majboori thi… Pushpa ji ke Laala aur humari shaadi ka natak ek aisi cheez thi jo hum dono bhi expect nahi karte the.”

Haseena’s brows furrowed, the pieces of the puzzle still not fitting together. “Nahi karte matlab? Par Pushpa ji toh yeh batati hain ki unka Laala aur aapki love marriage thi. Aur unhone toh yeh bhi kaha tha ki Laala ne aapke liye puri raat aapki khidki ke neeche khade hokar padhai tak chhod di thi.”

Karishma looked down briefly before shaking her head. “Madamsir, woh toh Pushpa ji ne sab thoda filmy bana diya. Haalanki usmein sach ka ek tukda zaroor hai.”

Haseena’s sharp gaze stayed fixed on her. “Kya matlab?”

Karishma hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Madamsir, woh school ke dino ki baat hogi. Par asli baat yeh hai ki Pushpa ji ka Laala mujhse college ke dino mein mila tha. Hum dono sirf acche dost hain. Aur ekdum bhai behen jaisa bond hai humara.”

Haseena blinked, absorbing this revelation. “Bhai behen jaise?”

Karishma nodded, her voice steady but tinged with unease. “Ji, Madamsir. Humare beech kabhi aisa kuch nahi tha jaisa Pushpa ji kehte hain. Laala ne hamesha mujhe apni behen ki tarah dekha, aur maine bhi usse ek dost aur bhai ke nazar se dekha. Laala toh kisi aur ko pasand karta tha, aur uska pyaar kahin aur tha.”

Haseena tilted her head slightly, trying to process. “Phir yeh shaadi ka natak kyun zaroori tha? Aur app kaise shamil aye”

Karishma sighed deeply, her voice quieter now. “Woh majboori thi, Madamsir. Halat kuch aise ban gaye ki ek din yeh natak karna pada, aur humare paas aur koi raasta nahi tha.”

Haseena’s gaze softened slightly, though the sharpness in her eyes didn’t fade. “Majboori kaisi?”

Karishma met Haseena’s questioning gaze with quiet resolve. “Humne Laala aur uske pasand ki insaan ko shaadi karne ke liye ek mandir mein jaana tha. Humara kuch aur uska kuch dost sab milkar pura plan bana ke set kiye the, par aakhri mein uska babuji aur unke log aaye aur usse zabardasti le jaane lage.”