HIDDEN LOVE (Part 2 of SECRET LOVE)

CHP 11

Target poora karne se pehle hi update... kis khushi me? Because aaj 29th January hai and as you have read SECRET LOVE you might know that this date is just... bahuutttt jyada special for me. So usi khushi me chapter to update karna hi tha. Poore 9.5k words ka chapter hai, a complete roller-coaster ride for you all. So, tighten your seat belt and happy journey... I mean happy reading.
_

After what felt like an eternity, Karishma broke the hug and gently cupped Haseena's face in her palms. Her eyes softened with warmth as she affectionately tucked a loose strand of Haseena's hair behind her ear. At this tender gesture, Haseena's heart fluttered. A delicate shiver ran through her, and she instinctively closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Karishma's touch. Her heartbeat quickened, a soft, unfamiliar sensation spreading through her chest.

"Tumhe aisa kyun laga ki hum tumpe gussa honge? Aaj tak kabhi huye hain kya ham tumhe gussa? Vo bhi is baat par ki tumne hume hug kiya?" Karishma asked softly, her voice carrying a quiet reassurance.

Haseena slowly opened her eyes. "Haan, vo... hume laga aapko ye achha nahi lagega agar hum aapko aise hug karenge to... vo aap... married hain na," she said hesitantly, her voice growing weaker at the last words. A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult to finish the sentence.

Hearing that, Karishma's expression shifted. Her jaw tightened, and her fists clenched for a brief moment as the weight of reality settled over her again. Her gaze flickered, as if suppressing emotions she didn't want to acknowledge.

"Chalo, ghar chalna hai," she said abruptly, pulling herself away and walking toward her bike. Her voice was steady, but there was something distant about it.

Haseena, sensing the sudden shift in her demeanor, quietly followed and sat beside her. She stole a glance at Karishma, confusion flickering in her eyes. The warmth from moments ago had vanished, replaced by an unsettling silence.

As Karishma started the bike and drove through the quiet streets, she remained silent the entire way. Haseena, noticing the tension in her posture, didn't say anything either. She could feel something was off, but she didn't understand what. All she knew was that Karishma wasn't the same as she had been a few minutes ago.

_

As soon as Karishma reached home, she called out firmly, "Meera!"

Meera, who was in the kitchen, quickly stepped out, wiping her hands on her saree. "Kya hua?" she asked, noticing the seriousness in Karishma's tone.

"Hame tumse ek zaroori baat karni hai," Karishma said, her voice steady but firm.

"Kaisi baat?" Meera asked, frowning in confusion.

"Hame tumse divorce chahiye," Karishma stated without hesitation, her words cutting through the air like a sharp blade.

Meera's eyes widened in shock. "Ye... ye aap kya keh rahi hain?" she stammered, her mind racing. Divorce? How could she let go of this luxurious life, the wealth, the prestige that being Karishma's wife gave her?

"Vahi jo tum sun rahi ho. Hume divorce de do," Karishma said with conviction. She took a deep breath, trying to explain calmly. "Dekho, is shaadi se hum khush nahi hain. Hum tumse pyaar nahi karte, na hi kabhi kar paayenge. Aur tum bhi hamare saath khush nahi rah paogi. Isiliye yahi accha hai ki hum dono ka divorce ho jaye."

Her voice softened slightly as she placed her hands on Meera's shoulders. "Dekho, divorce ke baad hum tumhari shaadi kisi ache insaan se karwa denge jo tumhe ek jeevansathi ka pyaar de sake. Tum uske saath khush reh sakogi," she added with genuine concern.

Meera's expression darkened for a fleeting second before she masked it with mock innocence. She jerked Karishma's hands off her shoulders and turned away. "Lekin meri khushi toh aapke saath hi hai, Karishma ji," she said, her voice laced with false devotion.