KAREENA: A Love Story

3. Haq...

Ishq ne Ghalib nikamma bana diya
Warna hum bhi insaan the bade kaam ke...

'Hum DSP Sir ki baat se sehmat hain. Department special doctor ke liye wait karna hoga,' said Haseena Mallik.

A flash of betrayal passed across Karishma Singh's face before she quickly looked down and began to toe some loose pebbles on the ground. Her hands went behind her and Haseena just knew she was hiding her fists that way.

'Dhanyavad Haseena ji,' said Anubhav smiling. 'Hum jante the ki aap paristhiti ki gambheerta ko samjhengi.'

Haseena nodded briefly at him and turned her focus back to Karishma.

As they all began to move back towards the car, but this time, Karishma did not rush to hold Madam Sir. Instead she nudged Santu to go and help Haseena. Santu looked puzzled for only a moment, then cheerfully went and wrapped her arm around her Madam Sir's shoulder. Haseena gave her an affectionate smile, but signed for her to wait as she dragged her feet towards where Karishma was stood, pretending to be busy with her phone.

'Karishma Singh, hum gaadi mein baith kar itminaan se aapko samjhate hain ki humne jo kaha woh kyun kaha.'

'Nahi Madam Sir, aapko explain karne ka koi jarurat nahi hain,' Karishma replied in a small voice, determinedly looking everywhere other than at Haseena. 'Aap Anu Bhaiya ke faisle se sehmat hongi yehi toh normal hain. Hum hi thoda jyada bol gaye.'

'Karishma Singh aap—'

'Humein aise apna limit nahi cross karna chahiye tha Madam Sir. Maaf kijiyega. Ainda se dhyaan rakhenge.'

'Arrey aap kabhi humari puri baat kyun nahi sunti Karishma Singh? Hum kahe rahe hain na ki hum samjhate hain aapko.'

'Hum bhi toh kahe rahe hain Madam Sir ki koi jarurat nahi hain. Hamara koi haq nahi hain aise aapke personal mamle mein dhakhal dene ka. Hum sorry hain....'

'KARISHMA'

Karishma Singh stopped blabbering.

'Yeh jo aapki aadat hain na — bina puri baat sune apni marzi maafik matlab bana lena — yeh ek bimari hain. Aur iska ilaaj hum karke rahenge!
'Aaj se, abhi se, hum aapko bina puri baat ko samjhe, kahin nahi jaane denge, bhale hi uske liye aapko khud ke saath rassi se baandh ke rakhna padhe!!'

Haseena said this in furious frustration, heaving a little because her body was still too weak for even this little exertion. The second Karishma saw Madam Sir in discomfort, her sulkiness was replaced with concern and she quickly came and held Haseena by the waist.

Their eyes locked on each other....
For about 3 seconds...
Then the professional interruptor - Santosh Sharma - interrupted them.

'Umm Madam Sir...'

Haseena and Karishma jumped a little. They hadn't realised that Santu and Cheetah were eavesdropping on them. They glared at her but Santu continued unbothered.

'Aise rassi se baandh lena sahi nahi hoga. Karishma Madam mujrimo ko rassi se baandh kar thana le aati hain. Sochiye agar aap waise hi unke kamar mein rassi daal kar ghumayengi toh kya izzat reh jayegi Karishma Madam ki.

'Isse better idea bolu? Aise aap dono dupatta pehen lo Pushpa Ji ki tarah. Phir ek dupatte ke khunte se dusre dupatte ke khunte ko baandh lo... gatbandhan ki tarah! Haan?'

She smiled brightly, hoping to receive another look of pride and approval for this brilliant idea. But, Madam Sir and Karishma Madam were looking at her like they were considering strangling her with the dupatta of her idea.

Cheetah noticed the double glare. 'Santu ji, Santu ji aapki masoomiyat kisi din aapka murder karwa degi. Aap... aap chaliye, chaliye jaldi gaadi mein baithiye.'