CHAPTER 20

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As the morning sun painted the room with its warmth, Haseena awoke to the serenity disrupted by the aftermath of a romantic evening – candles extinguished, roses and balloons scattered, and their attire sorrad across the floor like remnants of a beautiful chaos. After slipping into a comfortable co-ord set of baggy tshirt and shorts, planning to take a day off from her busy empire..

She prepared coffee within the room, ensuring not to disturb Karishma's slumber. Stepping onto the balcony, Haseena had the panoramic vista of the villa – armed guards stationed at the gate, the gardener shaping the trees and bushes, and armed bodyguards patrolling around in the villa. Amid this beautiful scene, her mobile phone rang,

Haseena responded in a calm way, "Yes Shah..."

Shah's voice resonated with a mix of anger and disappointment, "Haseena, what am I listening to? Aap ne Karishma ko board of director mein include kiya hai. Kyu kiya aap ne ye? Kya aap ko nai pata hume aage kya karna hai?"

Sipping her coffee, Haseena's gaze shifted from Karishma's peaceful figure to the unfolding view, responding with calm assurance, "I know what I'm doing. Tum fikar mat karo. Kuch din ka khel hai. Shivi ek baar theek ho jaye. D humare se personally mile phir Karishma nai rehegi."

Shah issued a stern warning, "Haseena pehle jaisi koi galti mat karna... Phir se koi bewakoofi nai! Itni dur aa chuke hai bas kuch kadam baki hai."

Maintaining her composure, Haseena took another sip, "Relax Shah! I know what I'm doing. The plan will continue as per the details. Koi beech mein aaye khatam kardo... Phir chahe wo koi bhi ho."

Shah inquired, "Misri? Aage usse inform karna hai? Abhi kare toh acha rahega."

Haseena getting back in the room, replied assuredly, "Haan... Uske bina nai aage execute nai kar sakte. Ab galat bana hai toh ache se banenge. I'm leaving soon. Tell Misri to meet me."

Obeying her, Shah confirmed, "Okay. Shivani will be home by tonight."

Haseena concluded, "Great!" ending the call, and began preparing for the office. Two hours later, Karishma woke up in an empty room, quickly freshening up, she rushed down prompting a worried search for Haseena.

"Kya hua Karishma? Kisse dhund rahi ho?", Sakshi inquired.

Karishma, visibly worried, asked, "Aunty, Hasu kahan hai?"

Sakshi informed her,"Wo bas office ke liye nikalne wali thi lekin kuch doctors aaye hai usse milne. Uss room mein hai."

Karishma rushed towards the room, opening the door to find Haseena on the recliner, connected to a drip and machines. Worry and concern gripped her in that moment.

"Hasu...! Ye sab kya hai? Kya hua tumhe?", Karishma rushed towards Haseena.

Haseena responded with calm reassurance,"Relax...! Kuch nai hua. Just a regular glucose drip."

Determined, Karishma insisted,"Enough Haseena! Tum ne last time bhi nai bataya. Kya hua tumhe? Shivani ne bhi batane se mana kardiya tha. Ab toh bata sakti ho na... Ab toh hum saath mein hai na. Doctor aap bataiye hum."

Awaiting Haseena's permission, the doctor received a nod from Haseena after a brief moment, and he revealed, "Haseena ji ko stage 1 cancer hai. Ye unki chemotherapy chal rahi hai. Wo hospital aake treatment nai le sakti isliye ghar par procedure follow ho raha hai. Last week she couldn't complete her therapy because of sudden accident of her wife."

Haseena clarified,"Shivani no more my wife."

The doctor scared of Haseena's wrath, apologies immediately,"Sorry... I didn't know."

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