Back to You

26) Progress

Karishma's POV

World around lives like a pandemonium, her inner being though stays in extreme silence.

Haseena has stopped talking altogether. Ever since that night when she wouldn't get up from underneath the tree, she has not uttered a word. It's been a week since ammi left us. I am worried. I don't know how to make Haseena keep moving normally hereafter. 

All the burial rituals were carried out the next day of passing. Haseena's small extended family had come and participated in the prayers carried out. She had not properly communicated to them too. She merely nodded on their condolences. 

From then, despite my requests Haseena had rejoined thana. She works incessantly and neither responds to any questions nor issues any orders. Santu, Cheetah and mostly Pushpaji has shared my concern for Haseena's well being. 

Somehow however, I have made her come for a checkup today. She sits outside along with Pushpaji in the waiting room as Vivan now shares with me the results of the tests taken. He has only bad news for us. " Her symptoms are suddenly spiking. It's not a good sign. "

I take in a deep breath as disappointment ceases my heart. Shuffling and turning around the information in my head, I try to find out some solution to this problem. The pain I experience myself as soon as I feel Haseena's silence is intolerable. I can't see her this way. I just can't.

As soon as I step inside the waiting room though a series of actions play in front of my eyes. Which seems more like a dream. Realising it to be true though, I find my eyes filling up with sweet and sour tears. 

While Haseena had been sitting numb on the chair, Pushpaji suddenly had kept her hand on her shoulder. Haseena with a natural quickness had muttered on the touch -

" Ammi? " 

She has spoken a word, after a whole week!

However, I can see the shine in her eyes drop scaringly back to the darkness on seeing Pushpaji instead.

" Hum bhi to aapki ammi hi hein na. "  Pushpaji but speaks like a mother, taking Haseena's palms in hers. The words have their impact like magic. Haseena finally let free the brewing agony of her heart. She breaks out into a fit of tears, falling into Pushpaji's arms. 

" Kyun hua humare saath esa ammi! Kyun. "  Haseena spoke in between her tears, unleashing her inner conflict in these times unexpected. Pushpaji caresses her hairs with delicacy, choosing her words with love.

" Maybe she wasn't destined to witness sufferings of her daughter. Don't be so sad hmm. Allah never lets anything bad happen to pure souls. Ammi is at the best place. " 

.....

Haseena's POV

Something alters in me on Pushpaji's words. The perspective changes. She's right. How much ammi herself would have to tolerate had she seen me suffer. She resides now at the best place, close to god. In the paradise. Forever in peace.

.....

Karishma's POV

" Kuch din humare yahan aa jao n rehne. " Pushpaji puts forward her heart's desire on seeing Haseena getting normal in her outlook. Having now gushed out her pain through the vent of her tears, she seems to reflect upon the question.

" Hn aa jao na thode din. "  I emphasise the request on realising it to be the best idea for making her feel normal. In the solitude of her home, she might go back to missing ammi a lot. At our residence, she can feel a bit cheerful. 

" Theek h. " Haseena surprisingly agrees after thinking for a while. Pushpaji smiles and embraces her in a hug which she happily reciprocates with equal emotion. I can't be happier. This is the best moment of the day.

.....

Santu's POV

" Cheeteh? "  

I question Cheetah lethargically. I am quite scatter brain today. I really don't seem to have control over what am I saying or thinking for that matter. 

" Ji Santu ji. "  He responds enthusiastically. Our energy doesn't match at all and I am a hundred percent sure that he will have no definite answer to this out of nowhere question of mine. Yet, I blurt it out, for I have no reason to not do so. 

" Tujhe kya lagta h. Kya hum insaan aur sabhi living organisms se better hein? " 

" Bilkul bhi nhi Santu ji. Hum insaan tinke bhar bhi aur jeevon se behtar nhi hein. Hn kharaab zarur ho skte hein. " 

" Kyun? "

I cross question him in surprise. I didn't know that he has so clear views on such matters, that too seemingly with deep reasoning. I really would like to know what is the underlying thought for such point of view. 

" Kyunki bhagwaan ne galti se insaan ko sochne ki shakti de di he. Vo apne aas paas sabse zyada khud ko kriyasheel pata h, to smjh bethta he ki vhi raja h. Usi mein saari takat he. Magar itni si baat nhi dekh pata ki duniya ko chlne ke lie uski zarurat nhi, balki use chlne k lie duniya ki zarurat h. "

" Baap re baap. Itni gehri baat. Bas ab mera dimaag or nhi kaam krega. " 

I speak sitting on the chair, dropping every ounce of willingness left in me to continue doing any work. My behaviour though earns me a chuckle from this guy whom I didn't know to be such a great student in philosophy. 

" Bohot thak gyi mein. Aaj pure panch cases file kie hein. Dekh rhe ho meri shakti. "

I speak adding on to my humour, expecting Cheetah to laugh out loud. But somehow his expressions grow stern. He is being totally unpredictable today. Sensing on his mood change I intend to ask him the reason, but he answers my queries before I could question. 

" Haseena maddam barah pending files close krke gyi thi check up karane. " 

My heart aches on his words. I can't till date forgive myself on being so wrong about Haseena maddam in the first place. I had thought of her to be exactly opposite of what she is in reality. Her world however seems to be completely shattered. She as a reaction to these falling life events, is paining herself by working like never before.  

" I am sorry. " 

I utter the apology meant for Haseena maddam to Cheetah. He retaliates quickly making it clear that I need not feel any way apologetic for anything. 

" Arey aap kisilie maafi maang rhi hein. Vo to bas hum dukhi ho jaate hein Haseena maddam ko esa dekh. Lekin ab to vo shift ho rhi hein na Karishma maddam k yahan. Dekhna ab vo behtar ho jaengi. Dosti kabhi niraash nhi krti. "

" Acha. Ye kab hua. "

" Kuch der pehle hi baat hui meri Karishma maddam se. Vo khush lag rhi thi. Keh rhi thi ki Haseena maddam ab shi se baat bhi krne lagi hein vapis. " 

I find my stomach release in relief. It's the best news to recieve. I am so happy. Any progress is progress indeed. There's still hope for Haseena maddam. Not all is yet bleak....

" Yeh to bohot achi baat h. "

" Ji Santu ji. Achi nhi, sabse achi baat h. "

I couldn't agree less. Not good, it's the best thing to have happened today!

.....