Kuch Toh Hai

Part 9

The sky had turned a dull grey by late afternoon, the kind that hinted at rain but gave no exact promises. Karishma Singh, with her hands in her jacket pockets and her headphones in, stepped out of the university gate alone. Her friends, Santu and Mishri, had already left for the day. She preferred walking home, especially after a long class — it helped her clear her head.

The wind picked up, and just as she reached the halfway mark between the campus and the main road, the heavens opened. Rain came down fast — sharp, sudden, and merciless.

Karishma let out a sigh, tugged her hood up over her head, and continued walking, her sneakers already soaking through. She didn't mind getting wet, really. But her bag had her sketchbook and notes — those she couldn't afford to ruin.

A honk interrupted her thoughts. She turned slightly and saw a green auto-rickshaw slowing down beside her. Sitting inside, a little out of breath and holding her dupatta in place, was Professor Haseena Malik.

"Karishma Singh!" she called out, a touch of concern in her voice. " Aap yahan baarish mein!, Idhar aaiye, Baarish mein bheeg jaengi!"

Karishma blinked. She hesitated. Was this really happening?

She stepped closer, half-amused. "hum theek hainn, ma'am. itna kuch nahi—"

"Zid mat kijiye," Haseena interrupted firmly. "Chaliye, baithiye. Main bhi usi taraf jaa rahi hoon."

With a small smile tugging at her lips, Karishma climbed in. The auto started moving again, weaving through puddles and honking through the narrow lanes.

A short silence stretched between them, filled only by the rhythmic patter of rain on the auto's roof.

Haseena finally broke the silence. ''Aap hamesha akeli hi jaati hain? Aaj aapke friends nahi aaye?"

Karishma gave a light shrug. "Nahi... Santu aur Mishri kuch kaam se pehle nikal gayi thi. Waise bhi, humein akela rehna pasand hai kabhi kabhi."

Haseena tilted her head slightly. "Achha?"

Karishma turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "haan kyu, aapko humein dekhkar lagta nahi?''

Haseena smiled, a little sheepish now. "Mera matlab tha... tum thodi alag ho. Shaant, lekin strong. Tumhe samajhna thoda mushkil hai."

Karishma chuckled softly. "Aapko samajhne ki koshish karni ki jarurat bhi nahi hai, ma'am."

"Par mujhe lagta hai ki main koshish karna chahti hoon," Haseena said gently, surprising even herself with the honesty in her voice.

Karishma looked at her, caught off guard. "Kyun?"

There was a pause.

"Pata nahi," Haseena replied, eyes drifting to the rain outside. "Tum mujhe yaad dilati ho...  chhoti Haseena ki. Jo duniya ko har waqt prove karna chahti thi ki uski khamoshi kamzori nahi hai."

Karishma's expression softened. Her voice was lower now. "Aapne prove kiya?"

Haseena smiled faintly. "Roz karti hoon. Lekin kabhi kabhi... thak jaati hoon."

For the first time, Karishma looked at her not as a professor, but as a person. Flawed, tired, but kind.

"Aapki smile waise bhi zyada genuine lagti hai jab aap thak jaati hain," Karishma said, teasing just a little.

Haseena let out a small laugh, surprised. "Aap hasi mazak bhi karti hain?"

"Sirf un logon ke saath... jinke saath hum thode comfortable feel karte hainn," Karishma said quietly.

That silenced Haseena for a second. She didn't respond, but her eyes softened. The moment felt still, sacred almost, despite the chaos of rain and traffic around them.

The auto stopped near Karishma's lane.

"Yahin utarna hai mujhe," Karishma said, glancing at Haseena.

Haseena nodded. "Theek hai. Dhyan rakhiyega, "

As Karishma stepped out and shut the auto's door, she turned back once more.

"jii, aap bhi!" she said, half-smiling.

The auto pulled away, leaving Karishma standing in the light drizzle, her lips curled into a smile she didn't even realize had formed.

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