PHOENIX- Rising from the ashes

Chapter 15: Healing-II

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well. Enjoy the chapter below and after that there is a special announcement. 

In Karishma's room, Haseena and Karishma were sitting on bed with the support of back rest. Actually Haseena was sitting with the support of the bed and Karishma was lying with the support of Haseena. Her head was on Haseena's shoulder and her hands were still intertwined with Haseena. Contrasting to the slight creases on Haseena's face, There was a peaceful smile on Karishma's lips and her health seems to be in good condition.

"Karishma, It's already too late and we have to go to work too, in the morning. Ammi must be waiting for me. Can I go now?"

Scrunching nose, a frown on her forehead and a tightened grip on Haseena's intertwined hand was Karishma's first response. "Please, stay here tonight. Please! Please! Please!" Karishma pleaded Haseena like a baby unknown to Haseena's growing irritation. Did Karishma really unaware of Haseena's emotional state and the fact that Haseena is slipping over the edge? At least Haseena was sure that Karishma was unaware. She believed that she had successfully closed the storm inside her in a bottle.

"Anyways, it's ten minutes to midnight. If you will leave now you won't be able to get enough time to rest. So, stay here, please. And don't worry about ammi. I will talk to her. I am sure She won't object. In fact let me go and ask her." Karishma added in one breath and jumped out of bed instantly to go to Noor Jahan begum to ask her. There was a strange hurriedness and restlessness in her body language.

"Karishma, No. Wait. Listen to me!" Haseena called her out but Karishma did not listened to her. "Damn it! Why can't you understand Karishma? I need to leave. I don't want anyone near me right now." she murmured to herself with gritted teeth and hit her fist on the cushion beside her.

Few minutes later Karishma returned with happy face and winning smile, "I had talked to Ammi and she did not have any problem. So, you will stay here for the night." Karishma announced happily in front of Haseena.

"No, I will not." Haseena shouted a bit louder and stood up straight from the bed. Karishma startled at Haseena's loud voice and sudden anger. At the next instant, Haseena had closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Please... Please let me go. I... I need some space..." her voice cracked. She held eye contact with Karishma for a second- her eyes reflecting a huge bundle of pain. Then she stormed away towards the main door.

Karishma stood rooted at her spot for the next few seconds as a dilemma hits her- whether to give her space as she asked or to chase her by going against her words. What is the right thing to do at the moment? What is their unique bond of friendship demanding from her right now?" Creases on her forehead and tears streaming down from her eyes, Karishma was still fighting between her mind and heart. Her logical mind was commanding her to respect Haseena's words but her yearning heart was screaming at her and pushing her to not leave Haseena alone in this vulnerable moment. At last her heart won over her mind, and she ran outside.

As she was about to leave the house, a hand stopped her from behind. She turned back only to see Ammi standing at the door with tear drenched face. "Ammi!" Karishma whispered worriedly and moved closer to her, "What happened ammi? Why you are crying? Are you fine?" Creases on her forehead deepened and her heart started panicking.

"I am fine bacha but my Haseena... She... She is not." Ammi responded with broken voice, helplessly.

"Ammi..." Karishma tried to reassure her but Ammi cut her words and added, "Karishma beta, I am her mother and I know today's happenings had shattered her already broken soul. You know what Karishma, since her father's death she has never confide anyone with her pain. My Haseena can not only listen but solve the pains and problems of everyone but she does not have even a single person whom she trusts to share her own pains and problems." Haseena's mother broke down saying this. Karishma at once engulfed her in a warm hug.