UNLIKELY ALLIES || KarEena

✨Bekhabar Jazbaat✨

Everything returned to normal. The water began flowing smoothly again, and the ominous red clouds dispersed, leaving the sky clear and calm. People resumed their activities, blissfully unaware of the chaos that had nearly erupted. Laughter filled the air once more, with everyone enjoying their time as if nothing had happened.

But amidst all the joy, Haseena felt a hollowness inside. She had to leave—abandon everything she cherished in this moment. She put on a fake smile, as Karishma had instructed her, and returned to her family, pretending to enjoy the moments while knowing her time here was coming to an end. Her heart ached with unspoken words and unfinished business.

Karishma, seeing the anguish in Haseena's eyes, decided to make things easier for her. She faked a phone call, signaling to Haseena what needed to be said. Haseena's heart sank, but she understood. She had to say goodbye now, or she might not have the strength to do it later.

Haseena approached her family, her heart heavy with the weight of departure. Ammi noticed her daughter's forced smile and her eyes filled with concern. Then, with a trembling voice, Haseena said exactly what Karishma had instructed her to.

"Ammi... mujhe ek emergency mission ke liye turant jaana padega," Haseena's voice wavered as she spoke the words, but she kept her smile intact.

Her mother's face fell, the sadness unmistakable. "Meri bacchi... abhi jaana hoga tujhe? Kal nahi ja sakti?" Ammi's voice was soft but laced with sorrow, her eyes pleading for one more day with her daughter.

Haseena's heart broke seeing her mother's face, but she had to stand firm. "Nahi, Ammi... agar kal gayi toh shayad der ho jaaye. Mission bohot zaroori hai..." Haseena's words felt heavy on her tongue, knowing she had no choice but to leave.

As Haseena stood there, trying to hold herself together, Meera came forward, sensing the weight on Haseena's shoulders. She wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug, her voice soft as she whispered, "Jate huye Karu se milte jaana... uski har tadap mitate jaana. Kahegi toh nahi par bahut yaad karegi tumhe."

Haseena nodded slightly, unable to find the words. In her mind, a storm of thoughts brewed. "Agar tadap hi hai, toh bhej kyun rahi hai mujhe vo?" She felt conflicted, wondering why Karishma, who loved her so much, was letting her leave. She glanced at Karishma, who stood far away, her face showing no trace of the emotional battle she was likely fighting inside. Karishma was always so composed, always hiding her true feelings. Haseena could sense it, but today, it hurt more.

A lone tear escaped from Haseena's eye, but she quickly wiped it away. She then turned to Anvi and hugged her tightly, trying to lighten the mood a little, even as her heart was breaking. "Aur haa, apni shaitani thodi kam kar... bohot pareshan karke rakha hai Ammi ko."

"I will miss you," Anvi said softly, her small voice filled with emotion.

Just then, Karishma approached the group. Her face remained unreadable as she asked, "Kya hua?" Ammi explained the situation, and Karishma's expression didn't change. She simply hugged Haseena briefly, her embrace devoid of the usual warmth that Haseena longed for, and said, "Bye."

Everyone around noticed the simplicity of the gesture—just a "bye," nothing more. They couldn't understand why Karishma, who was usually full of emotion, was so composed, so restrained. Was she hurt? Was she holding back something? The question lingered in the air, but no one dared to ask.

As Karishma turned to leave, Haseena's heart shattered. Her love, her Kashu, was walking away, and she couldn't bring herself to stop her. The tears that had been threatening to spill over finally did. She stood frozen, watching Karishma's retreating figure, her mind screaming, "I love you, Kashu! Please don't go!" But the words never left her lips. They stayed trapped inside her, along with the overwhelming turmoil of her emotions.