Kuch Toh Hai

Part 14

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It was still drizzling when Karishma and Haseena found refuge under a corrugated iron tea stall roof. The smell of wet earth, freshly boiled chai, and damp sarees still hung in the air. Karishma's dupatta was clinging slightly to her arm from the rain, her damp hair a soft mess. Haseena, composed as ever, yet visibly uncomfortable in her half-wet silk kurti, stood beside her — close enough that their shoulders almost brushed every time someone passed behind them.

Karishma stole a glance at her and immediately looked away.

Haseena (quietly): "Aap... aksar aati hain yahaan?"

Karishma (trying not to squeak): "Nahi... bas aise hi... mann kiya... aap?"

Haseena (half-smiling): "Mujhe lagta tha aapko sirf branded stores pasand hain."

Karishma (defensively): "Aapko humare baare mein itna sab kaise pata?"

There was a pause.

Haseena (carefully): "Teacher hoon... observation toh naturally hoti hai."

Karishma bit her lip. She didn't want to ask the next question but her mouth moved before her brain approved.

Karishma: "Aur... aur aapne kya observe kiya hai mere baare mein?"

Haseena: "Ki aap class mein zyada nahi bolti... lekin jab bolti hain toh sab sunte hain."

Karishma laughed nervously and looked down. Her bangles made a tiny clink as she fiddled with the edge of her kurta.

Karishma: "Yeh toh aapne... acha kaha."

Haseena: "Sach kaha."

Another pause.

The chaiwala handed them their kulhads. Karishma's fingers brushed against Haseena's briefly as she passed hers. Both froze for a fraction of a second. Then quickly pulled back like teenagers caught holding hands by their moms.

Haseena (awkwardly): "Sorry..."

Karishma (even more awkwardly): "Nahi... main... main sorry."

They sipped quietly. The silence between them was thick — not uncomfortable, just... loud. Like both of them were hearing their own hearts too clearly.

Haseena: "Barish... kaafi ho gayi aaj."

Karishma: "Haan... lekin kuch log toh aise lag rahe the jaise... kisi ko dhoondhne aaye ho."

Her eyes darted toward Haseena for one brief second before retreating.

Haseena looked at her calmly. Too calmly. That was the giveaway.

Haseena: "Aap bhi kuch dhoondhne aayi thi na?"

Karishma held her gaze this time. Barely. But it was enough.

Karishma (softly): "Mil gaya."

Their eyes locked. It was quiet. Electric. Stupid. Beautiful.

Just then, thunder cracked somewhere above them and both flinched — breaking eye contact, sipping chai a little too fast, accidentally burning their tongues.

Karishma (hissing): "Ouch...!"

Haseena: "Arre sambhal ke..."

She reached out instinctively but stopped halfway. Karishma noticed. That pause was longer than the touch would've been.

Karishma: "Aap... aapko kabhi awkward feel hota hai?"

Haseena (after a beat): "Aapke saath? Hamesha."

They both laughed. Quietly. Nervously.

Haseena: "Mujhe nikalna chahiye... college ka meeting hai."

Karishma (trying not to sound disappointed): "Oh... okay."

Haseena: "Aap... ghar akeli jaa payengi?"

Karishma (playfully): "Itni bhi chhoti nahi hoon."

Haseena (smiling faintly): "Nahi... chhoti toh bilkul nahi."

Karishma looked away again. Her ears went pink.

Karishma (murmuring): "Aap jaaiye... warna late ho jaayengi."

Haseena (stepping away): "Take care, Karishma."

Karishma (barely audible): "Aap bhi."

And with that, she left. Leaving Karishma under the tin roof, holding a half-empty kulhad and a heart too full to contain.

Time: Next morning
Location: Karishma's room
She's barely awake, eyes half-open, blanket still wrapped around her like a burrito. Phone buzzes.

Notification:
1 new message — Unknown number

Karishma squints and taps.

"Kal ka din... accha laga. Barish mein chai ka maza kuch aur hi hota hai, hai na?"
– H.M.

Karishma sits up bolt upright.

Karishma (whispering):
"OH MY GOD... SHE TEXTED."

She stares at the message like it might explode.

Mishri (barging in dramatically):
"Tu uth gayi ya fir sapne mein bhi Haseena mam se chai pee rahi hai?"

Santu (peeking at the screen):
"Kyaaaa! Message? From HER?!"
Both scream like it's a Bollywood plot twist.

Mishri:
"What did she say? Tell us or I swear I'll read it myself!"

Karishma (still stunned):
"She said... yesterday was nice. And chai... rain... something-something poetic."

Santu:
"Mam ka bhi kuch kuch hone laga hai, mujhe lagta hai!"

Mishri:
"Reply kar, stupid!"

Karishma:
"Kya bolun? 'Thanks' likhun ya 'same here' ya fir..."

Santu (giggling):
"Likh 'aap bhi bheeg rahe the toh chai ki zarurat pad gayi thi' 😜"

Karishma:
"Shut up, don't corrupt my soul."

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