UNLIKELY ALLIES || KarEena

✨Pyaar hai???✨

Tears streamed down Haseena's face as the realization hit her. "Usne mujhse itna bada sach chupaya," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Vo mujhe dard se door rakhkar bhi dard pahucha rahi hai." Her words were filled with anguish, a mix of betrayal and sorrow swirling within her.

She paused for a moment, her mind racing. "Par... Karishma mujhse pyar karti hai?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Usne ye mujhe kyun nahi bataya?"

JWA70 sighed deeply, his expression somber. "Shayad vo khud anjaan hai isse," he replied quietly.

Haseena turned toward him, her eyes searching his. "To tum kaise keh sakte ho ki vo mujhse pyar karti hai?"

---

Karishma stood at the edge of the waterfall hill, her eyes locked on the cascading water as it plunged into the abyss below. The rhythmic roar of the waterfall echoed her inner turmoil, a clash between the heart and mind. Her chest felt heavy, a sense of unease she couldn't quite place.

The memory came rushing back like a storm.

Flashback:

JWA70's voice held a calm certainty. "Prithvi pe tumhari shaktiyan isliye khatam ho rahi hain, kyunki yeh jagah tumhara asal mool hai. Tumhare liye yaha wapas aana ek naye jeevan ki shuruaat hoga. Jab tum yaha lautogi, tumhari shaktiyan wapas aayengi, aur tumhara shraap bhi khatam ho jayega—jaise andhera roshni ke saamne mit jata hai."

But Karishma's answer had been resolute, her voice steady despite the ache in her heart. "Mai yaha ab tumhari aur Haseena ki zindagi me kabhi rukawat nahi banungi. Mujhe kabhi yaha wapas nahi aana."

Flashback ends.

Karishma shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought, but it clung to her like a shadow. Why did she feel so torn today? Why did the waterfall's endless plunge remind her of the path she chose—a path of isolation, one that kept her away from the people she loved the most?

Her gut screamed at her to turn back, to abandon this self-imposed exile. But her mind, ever pragmatic, urged her to stay where she was. They're happy. Don't disturb their lives. JWA70 has Haseena now. You don't belong there anymore.

Lost in the whirlwind of her thoughts, she didn't hear Meera approaching.

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her into a warm hug. Startled, Karishma gasped softly, breaking free from her daze. She turned her head slightly and saw Meera's familiar face resting on her shoulder.

"Tu udaas hai," Meera said softly, her voice laced with concern.

Karishma hesitated, her expression quickly shifting into her usual calm façade. "Nahi toh," she replied, her tone light but unconvincing.

Meera pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Karishma's shoulders. "Sach bol, Karu. Mujhe pata hai jab tu kuch chhupa rahi hoti hai."

Karishma tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Main sach me theek hoon, Meera," she said, turning her gaze back to the waterfall.

Meera walked around to stand in front of Karishma, forcing her to meet her eyes. "Jo mujhe dikh raha hai, uske hisaab se tu bilkul bhi theek nahi hai," she said firmly.

Karishma sighed, feeling the weight of Meera's concern. It was comforting yet suffocating at the same time. She didn't want to burden Meera with her struggles, but the truth clawed at her from within.

"Bas... kuch soch rahi thi," Karishma finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Kuch ya koi?" Meera pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly.