"What do you want?" Haseena asked in an agitated tone when she saw Karishma going around the room, for the umpteenth time.
Karishma stopped her movements, "Umm....," she cleared her throat, "I can't find my earring," she said as she sat on the bed.
Haseena looked at her through the mirror, "I see you have both earrings in your ears," she said as she started wearing bangles, "What do you actually want?" She ran her fingers on her bangles, "Is there something you want to talk about?"
"Umm," Karishma thought for a moment then she glanced at Haseena, "I thought we could go together," she said, hesitantly.
Haseena's hand which was holding lipstick stopped in the mid-air as she turned her head towards Karishma, "You were waiting for me?" She asked, surprised.
Karishma just nodded her head and folded her hand behind her back to overcome her nervousness.
"Why?" She asked in a slightly strict manner.
"It's nothing," Karishma gulped at the change of Haseena's tone of voice, "I'll go," she moved towards the door, "It was just stupid of me."
"Indeed, it was," Haseena capped the lipstick as she looked at Karishma's sullen face, "you have waited for so long," she started wearing her earrings, "Can you wait for another five minutes?" Her voice was devoid of any emotions yet polite. On the contrary, her eyes were scanning Karishma's face which had turned crimson upon her request.
Karishma didn't say anything, however, she silently moved towards the couch, "You are looking beautiful," The words escaped from her mouth unexpectedly as she saw Haseen wearing her heels.
Haseena's movements stopped as she turned her head towards Karishma, "Are you okay?" She glanced at Karishma as if she was having doubts about Karishma's sanity.
"I didn't mean in any other way," Karishma replied apprehensively as she tried to clear her stance, "but you are looking mesmerizing," she peeked at Haseena who was clad in an ice blue lehenga, "and, it perfectly goes with your Ice Queen image," a glint of mischievousness appears in her eyes as she utters those words to overcome her apprehensiveness.
Haseena scoffed, "you gotta be kidding with me," She got up from the bed and started moving towards the door, "Chalain," She gestured with her hand as she opened the door but before they can step out, she turn towards Karishma, "It's a very tough task to be Ice Queen," her lips curved into a brief smile, "so she has to do everything or anything to maintain her image."
Karishma's eyes widened with surprise as a very content smile appeared on her lips, "Did the Ice Queen just call herself Ice Queen? She muttered as she walked beside Haseena, gleefully.
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They entered the venue one after the other, Karishma's eyes were wandering around the hall which was gleaming with fluorescent lights and flowers, she inhaled deeply as she embraced the warmth of wedding festivities, "I love this feeling," she thought, "It is so prepossessing."
Haseena glanced at Karishma's face, it was the first time in the past few days that she had seen her so calm and so radiant, her lips curved into a wide grin as she spoke, "You, yourself are looking very enticing, Karishma Singh!" She whispered in Karishma's ear and without waiting for Karishma's reaction, she quickly moved towards the crowd and blended in with it.
Karishma's trance broke upon Haseena's voice, she gasped, "did she really say those words?" She looked at herself top to bottom in a sage green lehenga, "did she really find me enticing?" She asked as she scanned herself in the mirror while swirling around.
Haseena who was standing beside Ammi and was informing her about something, watched Karishma checking herself out in the mirror, "Really?" She murmured, "It was just a mere compliment." However, Jay's call for her name broke her focus.
"Hey!" Jay said as he looked at Haseena, admirably, "Can I talk to you?"
Haseena nodded and followed Jay into the secluded corner of the room. On the other hand, Karishma who was walking toward Riya changed her path and stopped opposite Haseena and Jay, next to Cheetah and Santosh who were busy in their own world.
"Sab theek hai Karishma madam?" Santosh asked as she looked at Karishma's irked face.
"Sab theek hai," She said coarsely, "tum dono apna chalo rakho," Karishma pointed towards Cheetah and Santosh as she looked at Haseena from the corner of her eyes.
"Jay, Zayan told me about your request," Haseena spoke, "I'm not ready to date, anyone," she continuously scan the room, just to avoid any misadventures after watching a video earlier in the day and as she was doing so, her eyes landed on Karishma who was glancing at her every now and then.
"He told me that but I still wanted to give it a shot," He sighed, dishearteningly, "Are you sure you want to miss all that," He swirled around flexing his perfectly toned body.
"It's hard," A smile broke on Haseena's face at his actions, "but, I'll make a pass for now," She looked at him dejectedly as she pressed his shoulder, reassuringly, "you will find someone much better than me."
"I don't want better," He uttered, "I wanted you," he held Haseena's hand and rubbed her skin tenderly with his thumb pad.
"Look!" Haseena opened her mouth to say something, nonetheless, when her eyes met Karishma's, the words refused to come out.
Karishma was watching them with a flushed face and clenched jaws.
"I understand," Jay spoke after finding Haseena lost, "I don't want to force you," he removed the petal from Haseena's hair, "it's just that," He pressed on her hand gently which he still was holding, "I didn't want to miss an opportunity."
Karishma saw him removing the petals from Haseena's hair, she wanted to avoid them but she couldn't ignore it, any of it; her mind had become a battlefield, she was about to move towards them when Santosh's voice stopped her.
"Is everything okay, Karishma madam?" She asked, concerningly after looking at Karishma's disheveled state.
"Haan...Bus woh madam sir se kuch baat karni hai," She pointed towards Haseena as she removed her hand from Santosh's hold.
"Accha!" Santosh nodded as she looked at Cheetah who seemed confused at the situation.
"Madam Sir!" Karishma approached them, "We are next," She said as she looked at Haseena's hands—-Jay was holding one of them and Haseena's other hand was resting on his shoulder.
Haseena removed her hand unconsciously from his shoulder as she followed Karishma's eyes, "I should go now." However, Jay didn't let go of her hand which he was holding.
"Think about it," He said while looking at her hopefully.
Karishma had enough of him, she removed Haseena's hand from his hold and intertwined her hand with Haseena's—surprising Haseena, "we have to go maddam sir," she said in a rushed tone.
"Jay, I have to go now," Haseena tried to smile, "I'll see you ar ...," Karishma didn't even let her finish the sentence and almost dragged her out from there.
Jay looked at Haseena's retreating figure, woefully, "It's hard to find someone like you," he muttered, "I hope with whomever you decide to share your life with, cherish you forever," as he walked towards Zayan plastering a smile on his face.
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"When will you stop acting up?" Haseena unwinds her hand from Karishma's hold as they stood in a dimly lit hall as the performance went on the stage.
"And, when will you stop flirting around, wife?" Karishma asked in the same tone with a wink that irritated Haseena to her core.
"You!" She pointed her finger at Karishma in an agitated manner.
Karishma wrapped her finger around Haseena's finger, "You?" She asked with raised eyebrows, "Please, continue," she leaned towards Haseena's ear, "WIFE."
Haseena was dumbfounded at her actions, "I should be used to her now," she thought, "but, I'm still not," she heaved a distressed sigh as she opened her mouth to speak but before she could say, Bi approached them.
As soon as Karishma saw Bi coming toward them, she put their hands down but their fingers remained intertwined, however, Karishma's actions didn't go unnoticed by Bi's sharp and experienced eyes.
Salma Bi just shook her head dismissively at Karishma's action as she spoke, "What you two are doing here?" She asked, faking an angry, "Aren't you supposed to help others out?" She looked at them, "It's your turn, now," she pointed towards the stage and was about to turn when she remembered something, "after that, come to me, I need to talk to you about something," she made eye contact with Haseena first and then with Karishma, "both of you."
"Ji, Bi," both of them said in unison.
As soon as Bi walked out, Haseena turned towards Karishma, "I don't want to hear that word again from your mouth, ever again?" She warned her, "did you get that?"
"What would you do if I won't stop?" Karishma made her hold strong on Haseena's finger, "Wife!" She whispered again.
Haseena opened her mouth to say something when they heard a call of their names on the stage, she pulled her finger out from Karishma's hold and walked towards the stage. On the other hand, Karishma just followed her quietly with a wide and satisfied grin on her face.
Both of them had a fantastic performance dedicated to their best friends. After their performance, Haseena moved toward Zayan and Karishma moved towards Pushpa Ji, to check in if she needed any help. The function was in full swing and everyone was enjoying it but there was a pair of eyes who was keenly observing each and every moment of MPT members and their families, especially Haseena's.
On the other hand, Karishma was walking around making sure that all the guests had been treated properly as she was instructing Meena and Radha to keep an eye on all the guests, "no one should miss out on anything," she looked at them.
Both Radha and Meena nodded in unison.
As Karishma was scanning the room, her eyes landed on Haseena who was moving towards the other side of the hall due to the loud music as she received a call. She saw Haseena talking to someone while pacing around and as Karishma was about to avert her gaze—- she saw a chandelier loosening up and making its way toward Haseena. Karishma left whatever she was doing and ran towards Haseena as fast as she could, "Haseena!" She yelled her name as loud as she could and pointed upwards.
Haseena stared at Karishma who was running towards her with a terrified look on her face as she saw upwards where Karishma was pointing. She tried to move but she couldn't as if her feet were glued to the floor. She took a deep breath as she saw the chandelier approaching her and she covered her face with her arms in order to brace for the impact of it.
The chandelier hit the floor, gaining the attention of everyone as the glass pieces spread around in the farthest corner of the hall. "Are you okay?" Karishma asked in a shaky voice.
Haseena opened her eyes gradually and saw Karishma hovering over her. What was it that was not Karishma's face: fear of losing her, concern for her well-being, panic as if it happened again, and love that can't be defined in words. Haseena noticed the water started forming in the corner of Karishma's eyes, nevertheless, to avoid Haseena—- Karishma moved away from her but nothing remained hidden from Haseena, nothing at all. At that very moment, she felt grateful to have her in her life, if not for Karishma, she would have lost her life today. Just a mere delay of a few seconds could be life-altering because she didn't know when Karishma pulled her from underneath the chandelier and when both of them landed on the other side of the room.
Karishma got up and put her hand forward for Haseena, "Are you hurt anywhere else?" She asked as she touched Haseena's forehead tenderly which was bleeding.
Before she could respond, "Haseena," Noor Jahna Begum's voice hit Haseena's eardrum, and then many others called out her name and asked her, "if she was okay?" as they started to gather around. However, Haseena's eyes didn't leave Karishma who was drifting away from the crowd, hiding her bleeding hand. "Karishma Singh!" Haseena called out her name, ignoring everyone, she walked towards her, "your hand is bleeding," she held her hand and moved towards Noor Jahan Begum, "Ammi, can you please look at her hand?"
Noor Jahan Begum nodded as she saw a few glass pieces pierced in Karishma's hand, "Zayan!" She called out his name.
"Here!" Zayan, who has already brought her medical kit, handed it over to her.
"Let me do it," Riya intervened and while taking everything from Zayan, she started cleaning Karishma's wound as she read Karishma's face which had become pale due to the incident but she didn't say anything at that moment.
Karishma stood up after receiving the first aid and thanking Riya and Ammi, however, what surprised her was Picasso who was standing beside her and rubbing his face against her leg.
Haseena looked at Karishma then at Picasso, "don't be scared, he is thanking you," she tried to smile but couldn't and moved out of there when Noor Jahan called her.
"Let me check your wound too," Ammi patted the chair next to her.
"It's just a cut," Haseena said ignoring the request and was about to turn when Karishma held her by the shoulders and made her sit.
All the family and MPT members were stunned at Karishma's action but no one said anything at that moment.
Ammi looked at Haseena's wound and Riya dressed it, after cleaning it, "there you go," Riya smiled at Haseena, "they are not deep wounds but of course, they will take time to heal," she made eye contact with both of them.
Both Haseena and Karishma thanked Riya and apologized to Zayan and Riya for running their day.
Before either Zayan or Riya could speak, Pushpa Ji intervened, "It's none of your faults."
"I agree with Maa!" Riya shook her head in agreement.
"It seems like they didn't tie the screws properly," Zayan muttered as he looked at the ceiling and then at the chandelier.
However, Bi didn't say anything, she watched all of them silently and then at Haseena and Karishma who were stealing glances at each other.
"Don't just stand there all of you," Ammi's authoritative voice echoed in the room as she gestured to Meena and Radha to clean all the mess, "let's go back to the function. Both of them are fine."
Everyone started moving away giving one last look to both of them, however, Bi stood there, watching both of them intently, "Is there something, I should know Haseena?" She asked, politely.
Haseena looked at her, "no there is nothing Bi," She replied without making eye contact.
"Are you sure?" Bi asked while glancing at Karishma, this time.
"You know, you are the first person, I'll come to—if I have any problem," Haseena made eye contact with her.
"I know," Bi replied, "But it seems like that spot was taken by someone else," she scanned both of their faces which were expressionless, "you two are really good officers," she smiled, "but how long will you hide?" She walked out from there astounding both of them.
As soon as Bi left Karishma turned towards Haseena and was about to ask something when she was interrupted by Haseena, "I'm tired," she glanced at Karishma's face and without saying anything else she moved towards Ammi. After whispering something in her ear, she walked out of the function.
Karishma was about to follow Haseena when Pushpa Ji's voice stopped her and she moved in her direction, unwillingly. It almost took another two hours for the function to wrap up. As all the family members started to retire to their respective rooms, Karishma also hurriedly moved toward Haseena's room.
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As Karishma entered the room, it was dark and the only light in the room was from the moon which was sneaking through the windows, she saw Haseena sleeping, peacefully. "How can she be so peaceful after being attacked a third time and that too in her own house?" She mumbled as she picked up her clothes and moved toward the bathroom. She came out after changing and lay down beside Haseena, facing her, "I almost lost you, today," she thought as she caressed Haseena's face with the back of her hand. She didn't know when her hand unknowingly reached Haseena's forehead–and touched her bandage tenderly. She was about to remove her hand when she felt an urge to trace Haseena's facial curves and she let her hand fearlessly roam around Haseena's face, however, it halted right next to her lower lip to feel the texture of her mole and as she was about to move towards Haseena's lips, Haseena changed her position and turned to the other side breaking the flow of Karishma's observation, she sighed coldly and closed her eyes.
On the other hand, Haseena opened her eyes, perturbed. She wasn't surprised at Karishma's action but what worried her was her own condition. She was getting accustomed to her, to her affection, to her concern, to her care, and if tomorrow Karishma won't be there, it will be hard for her to move on, "I should distance myself from her," she thought, "that's what is better for both of us."
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