HIDDEN LOVE (Part 2 of SECRET LOVE)

CHP 10

A few days had passed since the incident, and Karishma's behavior had changed drastically. She started suppressing her emotions, determined not to let the same thing happen again. On the other hand, Haseena was confused by Karishma's sudden shift. Why had Karishma become so formal and distant? Why was she completely avoiding the special bond they had shared? Where had Karishma's playful flirting gone? The intense gaze that made Haseena's heart race within seconds-where was it now?

Haseena felt Karishma slipping away from her. "Kya ho gaya hai inhe? Kyun hamse rukhi rukhi si rahne lagi hain bilkul formal. Hamse nahi bardast ho raha unka ye bartav. Hame vesa hi sab kuch chahiye jaisa pehla tha. Ye hamse door hoti huyi nazar aa rahi hain. Hamse koi galti ho gayi hai kya. Hame kuch karna hoga."

Meanwhile, Karishma was enduring an emotional storm of her own. She was forcing herself to stay away from the love of her life because of the situation she was trapped in. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She was torn between her forced marriage and the responsibility she had toward Meera, and her growing feelings for Haseena. The fear of unintentionally hurting Haseena or putting her in trouble weighed heavily on her heart. To protect Haseena, Karishma was keeping her distance, even though it felt like she was tearing herself apart.

The last week of October had arrived, and the winter chill was settling in. Haseena's internship was already a month old. It was 4 p.m., and the school day had just ended. Summoning her courage, Haseena walked into Karishma's cabin.

"May I come in, ma'am?" she asked softly.

"Come in, Haseena," Karishma replied, glancing up briefly from her file.

Haseena entered and stood there silently, unsure of what to say.

"Dikhao tumhari record, sign kar dete hain," Karishma said, engrossed in her paperwork. When Haseena didn't respond, Karishma looked up, prompting her. Flustered, Haseena quickly took out her record book and handed it to her.

Karishma began signing the record when Haseena hesitated. "Ma'am... vo..."

"Kya hua, Haseena? Bolo," Karishma said, her tone gentle but curious.

"Vo...," Haseena mumbled, clearly nervous.

"Bolo, Haseena. Hamse kyun hichkicha rahi ho?" Karishma reassured her.

"vo aap... aap hame hamare ghar drop kar dengi?" Haseena blurted out, shutting her eyes tightly, as though bracing for impact.

"Haan, theek hai, chhod denge tumhe ghar tak. Ye bolne mein itna hichkicha rahi thi?" Karishma asked with a hint of amusement.

"Haan, vo... hamari bus nikal gayi hogi. Thoda late ho gaye aaj," Haseena lied, avoiding eye contact.

Karishma raised an eyebrow knowingly. "Ham tumhe tumhare ghar drop kar de rahe hain Haseena uske liye tumhe hamse jhoot bolne ki jarurat nahi hai" she said calmly, putting the file back on the shelf. "Hamne kaha to tha na tumse pehle Haseena yaad karo 12th me thi na tum, hamse jhoot mat bola karo." she added, her gaze locked onto Haseena's, her eyes intense and piercing.

And here we go again...

Haseena's breath hitched, her heart racing uncontrollably under that steady, unwavering stare. Unable to hold her gaze any longer, she quickly lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushing. "S...sorry, m...ma'am," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Karishma's lips curved into a soft, affectionate smile. "jaao parking area tab tak ham aate hain ye sab rakh ke," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Without a second thought, Haseena nodded and dashed out of the room as though her feet had wings, eager to escape the whirlwind of emotions Karishma always stirred in her.