ALIGNING OUR STARS

Chapter 15- The Feelings Seeping Through

The café was empty, except for Haseena. The dim lights gave the place a quiet warmth, while the rain outside drummed against the glass, filling the silence. It was late, too late for anyone to come in now. She was just wiping down the counter, waiting for the storm to settle before locking up.

And then, the bell rang.

She looked up.

Karishma stood at the entrance, completely drenched.

Haseena froze.

Her hair, wet and messy, clung to her face, dripping onto her black kurta, which had turned even darker, sticking to her skin. A few strands stuck to her cheek, her breathing slightly uneven from the rush of getting in.

Haseena blinked—looked away.

Karishma pushed her hair back, exhaling. “It’s crazy outside.” Her voice was softer than usual, lower, like the night had weighed down on her.

Haseena swallowed. “You shouldn’t be out in this weather.”

Karishma huffed out a laugh, stepping further inside. “Apko lagta hai humne plan liya yeh?"

She looked—Haseena didn’t complete that thought.

Instead, she turned toward the coffee machine. “What do you want?” she asked, worried

Karishma sighed, slipping into a chair near the counter. “A hot coffee.” She ran a hand through her hair, shaking off some droplets. “Something strong.”

Haseena nodded, focusing on the coffee, on anything but her. The steam from the milk rose, the scent of roasted beans filling the air. It was comforting, familiar. Unlike the way Karishma looked right now—which wasn’t comforting at all.

She set the cup in front of her and stepped back quickly. “Here.”

Karishma took the cup, her fingers curling around it, absorbing the warmth. Her nose had turned pink from the cold, her cheeks slightly flushed. She looked down, taking a slow sip, and Haseena tried not to stare at how her lips curled around the rim of the cup.

“Perfect,” Karishma murmured. She licked a drop off her lower lip.

Haseena turned away, immediately.

"Puri tarah se bheeg chuki hai aap,” she said, too quickly, too sharply. “You’ll get sick.”

Karishma shrugged. “I’ll be fine.”

She wouldn’t. She was shivering.

Haseena sighed and disappeared into the storage room, coming back with a folded t-shirt and sweatpants. She placed them on the counter. “Change into these.”

Karishma raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t know the café had a wardrobe.”

Haseena crossed her arms. “Take them, or I’m switching off the heater.”

Karishma smirked. “So mean.” But she took the clothes and walked toward the restroom.

The moment the door shut, Haseena exhaled.
"Ya Allah"

She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to clear her head. It’s just Karishma. She’d seen her countless times before. So what if she looked different tonight? So what if the rain had done things to her? So what if—

The door creaked open.

Haseena looked up and immediately regretted it.

Karishma stood there, the oversized t-shirt hanging loosely on her frame, the sweatpants slightly baggy but somehow—somehow—making her look prettier. Her damp hair had dried just enough to curl at the ends, falling over her shoulders. The warmth of the café had brought color to her cheeks, her nose still pink, her eyes—