Aa Bi Jaa - Kareena

54

Next morning......

Morning came filtering it's rays, Haseena was the first to wake as usual, her eyes slowly opening to the sight beside her Karishma, who curled into her, sleeping peacefully. Her face was relaxed, her lips slightly parted. She looked so at ease, so peaceful, that Haseena couldn’t stop herself she leaned down and pressed a light kiss on Karishma’s forehead. 

Carefully, she shifted Karishma away from herself, placing her head gently on the pillow so she wouldn’t wake. Haseena watched her for a second longer before getting up and heading toward the washroom to freshen up. 

Once she was done, she quietly closed the door behind her and stepped out, making her way downstairs to the kitchen. She knew Malaika Didi would be there, which meant questions. Haseena sighed. How was she going to answer them all?

As expected, Malaika was standing by the stove, preparing breakfast. She glanced at Haseena with mild surprise.

“Itni subah subah? Abhi toh breakfast bhi nahi bana."

Haseena stepped inside, shaking her head. “Koi baat nahi, aap aaram se kijiye. Humein bas lemon water chahiye tha."

"Kyoon?” 

“Sar mein dard hai humara,” Haseena muttered, pressing her fingers to her temples. 

“Baatayein, dawai le aau Ami ke paas se? Ya phely chay bana deti hoon ap Kay liyay?” 

Haseena quickly shook her head. “Nahi, nahi! Zaroorat nahi hai. Bas lemon water le lenge, theek ho jayenge.” 

Malaika didn’t press further. She quickly made the lemon water and handed it over. Haseena took it, murmured a quick ‘thank you’ before Malaika could ask anything else, and hurried back to her room.

Haseena stepped back into the room, closing the door softly behind her. She placed the glass of lemon water on the side table and turned toward the bed, where Karishma was still sleeping. Sitting beside her, Haseena reached out, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from Karishma’s face before caressing her cheek. 

“Karishma.....” she murmured softly. 

Karishma’s eyelashes fluttered as she stirred slightly, her brow scrunching in response. Haseena smiled, "uth jayay ab...." She continue to caress her face, patiently waiting as Karishma slowly blinked her eyes open and than close again due to light. Haseena reached her hand and made her sat up. But as soon as she sat up, she let out a quiet groan and shut her eyes again, pressing her forehead against Haseena’s chest. 

"Humara sar dard kar raha hai," Karishma mumbled,. "Humein sona hai." 

Haseena sighed, wrapping her arms around Karishma, rubbing slow circles on her back.

"Theek ho jayega," she assured her gently. "Pehle yeh pi lijiye tora sa."  She reached out and took a glass and forwarded it to her.

"Nae, abi Kuch nae pi sakty...." Karishma was too disturbed to even look at the glass.

"Bas 2-3 sip please...." Haseena again requested.

Karishma whined in protest, but Haseena held the glass near her lips, coaxing her to take small sips.

Reluctantly, Karishma obeyed, drinking the lemon water in small, lazy gulps. The moment the glass was empty, she slumped against Haseena again, resting her head back on her chest. Haseena tightening her embrace around her. 

“Bas, ab thodi der mein aaram ho jayega,” she whispered, pressing her cheek lightly against Karishma’s hair.

With one hand, she continued to hold her close, while the other moved up to Karishma’s forehead, gently massaging it with her fingers, easing the tension. Karishma let out a soft sigh of relief.