Aa Bi Jaa - Kareena

53

Haseena had been through a lot in her life. She had faced criminals, dangerous situations, even near-death experiences. But nothing—nothing—could have prepared her for a drunken Karishma, whose imagination had now reached extreme, illogical heights.

Karishma suddenly stopped in her tracks, gripping Haseena’s arm with a strength that did not match her wobbly stance. Haseena sighed, already preparing herself for whatever dramatic statement was about to come."

“Ab kya hua?”

Karishma gulped, her eyes darting left and right as if expecting something to jump out of the shadows. Then, she leaned in closer and whispered.

"Koi humara peecha kar raha ha....."

Haseena froze for a moment before glancing back. Her heart stopped with the thought that what if really someone had seen their moment few minutes ago.

"Yeh nashy ma ti tum tou hosh ma ti haseena." She mentally scolded herself while looking towards all the directions. But the street was completely empty.

“Karishma, koi nahi hai.”

Karishma shook her head furiously. “Nahi! Aapko samajh nahi aa raha!” She pointed behind her, whispering even softer. “Woh… woh abhi bhi humein follow kar raha hai!”

Haseena turned again while attentively looking for someone. Still nothing. She sighed, placing a hand on Karishma’s shoulder.

“Aap nashe mein hain. Koi bhi aapka peecha nahi kar raha.”

Karishma, however, was not convinced. “Aapko sach mein nahi dikh raha? Woh dekhein! Jaise hum chalte hain, woh bhi chalta hai!”

Haseena followed Karishma’s gaze and her eyes widen in surprise. she finally understood what Karishma was talking about.

The mysterious stalker Karishma was terrified of…

Was her own shadow.

Haseena exhaled sharply, pressing a hand over her mouth to stop herself from bursting out laughing. This was too good. Too good.

Karishma, however, was near hysteria. “Woh humare saath saath chal raha hai! Hum is taraf jaate hain, toh woh bhi us taraf jaata hai!”

She demonstrated by stepping sideways. Her shadow followed. She gasped in horror.

Haseena let out a small chuckle. “Karishma…sunyay.....”

“Haseena, aap samajh kyu nahi rahi?! Woh humara peecha chodh hi nae raha." She suddenly grabbed onto Haseena tightly. “Humein bachaayein!”

Haseena bit her lip, suppressing a full blown laugh. She took a deep breath, composing herself before saying.

"Karishma, woh sirf aapka saaya hai.”

"Kya....?”

Haseena pointed to the ground. “Yeh jo aap dekh rahi hain na, yeh aapka apna shadow hai.”

Karishma frowned, stepping back slightly. Her shadow moved with her. She gasped. “Nahi! Yeh toh humare saath chal raha hai!”

Haseena chuckled, crossing her arms. “Haan, kyunki yeh aap hi hain. Yeh aapka reflection hai jo roshni ki wajah se ban raha hai.”

Karishma stared at her for a long moment, processing this information. Then, slowly, she turned back to look at her shadow. She hesitated before cautiously lifting her hand. The shadow copied. She raised both hands. The shadow did the same. She crouched slightly. So did the shadow.

Her mouth fell open.

“Yeh… hum hi hain?”

“Haan yeh ap hi han.”