Aa Bi Jaa - Kareena

56

In the morning, as usual, Haseena was the first to wake up. But she didn’t need to open her eyes to know she could already feel her. Karishma’s body was curled closer to her, warm and soft like a stuffed toy, pressed against her like she belonged there. Haseena’s arm was around her waist, her face resting against the gentle curve of Karishma’s neck.

Slowly, Haseena lifted her head, eyes opened just enough to see the sleeping face beside her. A soft smile found her lips, stirred by the memory of the night before.

She breathed in deeply, almost as if she were trying to store this moment in her heart. Her arm tightened around Karishma’s waist, pulling her closer, letting her nestle against her chest as if the world outside didn’t exist. Her nose brushed against Karishma’s hair, and she closed her eyes, sinking deeper into the warmth.

“Why did I even ask her to lie like this?” she thought with a helpless smile. “Now how am I supposed to ever get up?”

She didn’t want to. She wanted to stay right there beside her. She pressed her lips softly to Karishma’s shoulder.

“Good morning…” she whispered softly.

Haseena gently brushed her fingers along Karishma’s arm and whispered softly, “Uthiyay na…”

Karishma stirred at the voice, brow scrunching slightly, before she turned over onto her stomach, burying her face into the pillow. Her voice came out muffled and drowsy, “Soney dijiyay na, Haseena… aap bhi so jayay…”

Still half asleep, she lazily stretched her arm out and patted Haseena’s head like a sleepy scolding. “Hmm… so jayay…”

Haseena couldn’t help the soft laugh that slipped from her lips. She leaned down and kissed Karishma’s head with gentle affection. “Uthiyay na… kahin jana hai humen.”

Karishma groaned into the pillow. “Subah subah kahaan?”

“Jogging pe.”

Karishma peeked one eye open, her tone slightly betrayed. “Jogging pe? Kahee?”

“Jogging pe kyun jate hain, Karishma?” Haseena asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Par hum tou nahi jatay na…”

“Par aaj se jayein gay,” Haseena said, poking her waist lightly, “Physical fitness ke liye zaroori hai. Apko thoda khud ko prepare karna parega na…”

Karishma blinked at her, “Aap ne tou maan hi liya hai ke hum join karenge…”

Haseena tapped her nose playfully,  “Humein yaqeen hai.”

Karishma didn’t deny it. She only yawned and muttered, “Par hum bilkul fit hain, hum kahin nae jaa rahy ap jayay…”

“Acha? Dekhne dijiyay humein, kitni fit hain aap,” Haseena teased, and with a swift tug she tried to pull the blanket off.

Karishma, wide awake now, grabbed the blanket in defense and gasped, “Haseena....man nae bara ap ka!”

Haseena chuckled, watching her scramble to stay hidden. “Bas dekh rahe the, fitness test ke liye ready hain ya nahi…”

Karishma let out a sleepy sigh, still hugging the blanket. “Haan haan, hum ready hain… hum nahi jayenge. Aap jaaiye, hum tab tak uth jaayenge.”

She turned around on the bed, burying her face in the pillow again, eyes closing like a stubborn child refusing school.

Haseena folded her arms, watching her with a raised brow. “Yeh toh aise nahi uthengi….” She shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips, and began getting up from the bed.