🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

As Haseena moved further away from her sight, Karishma's heartbeat grew restless with each step she took. Her heart ached and her soul yearned to follow Haseena, urging her not to go far. However, her confused brain hesitated and asked her,

" Kis haq se rokhna chahti ho usko? Kon hai woh tumhari. Jis ka dur hone se tumhe itna fark pad raha hai?"

Karishma's hand get tightened on fork and all this was getting observed by Shivani. She look at Karishma and seeing uneasiness on her face.

Shivani kept her hand on Karishma's and asked her softly,

" Karishma ji, kya ho raha hai apko?"

Karishma look at Shivani and then looking at her hand on hers. Karishma gets annoyed and with jerk pulling her hand back. She yelled getting up from chair,

" Mat chuoo humko. Kyun touch kar rahi ho humko bar bar"

Maharani ji and Kareena got shocked and getting up from their respective seats asked Karishma in unsion

" Arshu/ Karishma. What happened?"

Karishma complained being annoyed with Shivani's touch

" Yeh bar bar humara hath pakar lati hai. Mumma, isko bolo humko touch nahi kare. Humko nahi pasand"

Karishma yelled the last loudly and angrily left the breakfast table.

" Arshu kaha ja rahy ho ap. Have your breakfast"

Maharani ji goes after her angry Arshu, while Kareena approaches Shivani to apologize on behalf of her twin and explain Karishma's nature.

" Shivani, I'm truly sorry for Karishma's rude behavior. I am aware of all that you have done for us, and in a short period of time, we have become good friends.

Karishma is a bit reserved and introverted. To her, you are still a stranger, and she is uncomfortable with strangers getting too close or touching her."

" No, Kareena ji it's perfectly alright. Apko mujhse maafi maagne ki zaroorat nahi hai. It was my fault. Main bhool gayi thi ke Karishma ji ko aisa kisi ka touch karna band nahi hai-----

Shivani's mind abruptly gets averted to the last night scenes when she saw Haseena too close to Karishma, and they were on one bed.

" Shivani what happened? Tum kaha kho jaata?"

Kareena asked, putting her hand on Shivani's shoulder. Shivani comes out from the past and was about to tell Kareena what she witnessed yesterday, but then changing her mind, replied,

" Bus main yeh soch rahi hoon ke mujhe Karishma ji se maafi maangi chahiye."

" No, no it's not needed Shivani. Tumko Karishma se maafi maagne ka nahi. Hum dekhta hai usko. Tum apna breakfast karta hum abhi Karishma ko dekh kar aata. Phir hum tumko pura ghar dikhta"

Kareena passed her glass of juice and was about to go, but Shivani, placing the juice on the table, asked Kareena.

" Kareena ji, please if you don't mind. Kya main bhi apke sath chal sakti hoon. Actually Karishma ji, meri wajha se apna breakfast chhod kar chaliye gayi hai. Aur humne bikhul bhi acha nahi lag raha."

" Oh ho Shivani is main please ka kya baat hai. Of course you can. Aur hum ek kaam karta hai. Karishma ka breakfast uske room main he le kar chalta hai.

Kareena said, smiling, and called the maids to bring Karishma's breakfast to her room.

" Chalo Shivani. They'll bring"

Kareena patted Shivani's shoulder and both walked to Karishma's room.

🍁__________🍁

As Haseena drove, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Shivani and her black eyes, which were constantly fixed on her beloved.

" Kaise woh chipkali dekh rahi thi humari Karishma ko. Aur sirf dekh he nahi rahy thi in fact kaise unki bagal main bhi maze se baithi hui thi.
Jaise hum nahi woh Karishma ki patni ho. Huh. Badi ayi Karishma ji ap theek haina.

Aur Karishma ji, hmmm my foot Karishma ji. Muh tod dey hum inka joh inhone ney humse muh phaire kar us chipkali ko dekha.

Majnu kahi ki. Raat bhar hum JAANA aur subha hote he hum kon?

Laal Chudail! Bakk! Kaha se hum inko chudail dikhti hai?"

Haseena, cursed her Majnu, checked herself in a rare mirror and muttered,

" Ache khase toh lag rahy hai hum. Phir pata nahi kaha se inko hum chudail dikhte hai woh bhi Laal. Lagta hai inke dimagh ke sath sath ankho ki bhi yaadasht chali gayi hai.

Aane dijiye humne ghar wapis phir karte hai hum inki tunning apney tareeke se"

Haseena muttered, twisting her lips, as her car came to a halt in the middle of the road.

" Uff! Yeh Jeep ko kya hoga"

Haseena tried to start the car again, but it didn't work. She shook her head and wore her brown shades. She comes out of the Jeep and opens the car bonnet. Haseena tries to find the fault but can't get it.

" Kya musbit hai. Humne headquater poochna hai aur yeh Jeep. Isko bhi abhi kharab hona tha.

" Arey Haseena ji. Kyun is dhoond main ap ney Haseen chehre ko aur naarm naarm hathon ko zahmat de rahi hai ap. Kuch fraz humare liya bhi rehne dijiye."

Someone whispered in Haseena's ear from behind. Haseena turned angrily and her face flushed with even more anger as she saw Farz standing there with a flirty smile on his face.

" Yeh kya batameezi hai. Mr Khan"

Haseena said sternly while maintaining her distance from him.

" Uff! Apke muh se Mr Khan sun kar humari subha aur Haseen hogi."

Farz spoke dramatically, placing his hand on his left hand. Haseena glared at him once and was about to walk from there as she didn't want to see his bloody face, but Farz blocked her way.

" Yeh kya bateemzi hai. Tum jaante ho ke ek on duty officer ke sath yeh sab karna tumhe kitna bhair padd sakta hai, Mr Farz Khan"

Haseena warned Farz about the consequences of misbehaving with a police officer, but Farz disregarded all the threats. He pushed Haseena against the wall and warned her in return.

" SHO Haseena Malik, bahir toh tumhe padne wala hai. Tumne joh meri aur mere khandaan ki bazati kar ke. Humara muh par thamch maara haina.

Agar uski gunjh maine tumhari usk aashaan Kari----"

Before Farz could take Karishma's name into his flirty mouth. Haseena held him by his collar and, pushing him on the road, warned him.

" Agar Karishma ka naam bhi apni gandi zubhaan se liya na toh hum tumhari woh halat kare gay na ke tumhara pura khandan bhi tumko peechan nahi paye gay. Aur kisi ko dhamki maat samjhna Farz Khan.

Haseena Karishma Singh Rajput hoon main. Apni par aagyi na toh kaha kaha se tumhara paseena nikhal jaye ga tumko bhi paata nahi chalaye ga. Is liya apni hadd main raho.

Aur haan ek on office police officer ko threat karne ke aur uski wardi par hath lagane ke jurm main hum tumhe arrest karte hai"

Haseena declared and handcuffed his hands, then took him along with her, all the while smirking behind her thoughts.

" Main bhi toh yahi chahta tha Haseena Malik. Ke humne arrest karo aur hum----"

🍁___________🍁

Maharani ji and Kareena were in serious discussion in Maharani ji's room.

" Karu bache. Humne abhi Raaj Mahal jana hoga. Hum sham tak yaha kal subha tak laut aye gay. Tab tak ap Arshu ka bohat khayal rakhna hoga.

Waise toh Haseena unko sambhal laiti hai. But still bache, she's a working lady. Un par police station ki bhi bohat responsbilities hai.

Aur hum nahi chahte unki personal life and responsibilities ki wajha se. Unki professional life par koi sawal uthaye. Haseena Karishma Singh Rajput hai woh.

" Don't worry mom. I'll manage."

Kareena said, smiling. Maharani ji felt proud of her daughter and, pecking her forehead, said,

" That's like my Karu. I know my elder daughter is like her father. Dekhiye main innocent hai but I know jab baat family par aati hai. Toh ap Arshu se bhi zyada guse wali hai.

Is liya ap bhi khud ka khayal rakhe gayi. Aur kuch bhi ho issue ho. Do inform us and one more thing Karu.

Arshu ko khud bhi yaad nahi. Aur yeh cheez unke liya unsafe ho sakti hai. So make sure.

Arshu ko ghar se bahir nahi jaane dena. Zid kare ke gusa. Unko kabhi bhi nahi jaane dena. Aur na he unko kahi le kar jaane hai until and unless Haseena says or she's with Arshu. Alright?"

" Yes, mom. Aisa he hota. Hum sab dekh leta. Bus ap jaldi wapis aa jaata. I'll miss you"

Kareena hugged her mother tightly. Maharani ji smiled and, reciprocating the hug, spoke,

" I'll miss you too"

She kissed Kareena's forehead and for some time they stayed like that. When, after, sometimes Maharani ji broke the hug and said,

" Humne der ho rahi hai. Hum Arshu se mil kar aate hai."

" Sure mom but dekh leta kahin aisa na hota. Like childhood ke jaisa. Arshu apke jaane ka sunn kar apko jaane na deta aur zid karta ke take her with you"

Kareena grinned, reminding Maharani ji about Karishma's childhood antics, who always used to get upset and demanded her mother to take her along with her wherever she went. 

Karishma's Room

Karishma was lying on the floor on her stomach and the mouth organ was playing the melody of her pains.

" Humko kuch bhi acha kyun nahi lag raha. Jab se woh Laal Ch--- Nahi nahi police ki wardi main toh ek dam bawal lag rahi thi. Ek dam aafsara lag rahi thi.

Par woh humko ghur khaye rahi thi. Hum toh kuch bhi nahi kiya. Wohi humko pershan karti hai.

Isko pata haina ke JAANA kaha hai lakin humko nahi bata rahi.

Pata nahi kya chahti hai aur ka aadhura bol kar chali jaati hai.

Bilkul JAANA ke jaise woh bhi bus humko pukarti hai aur phir bina apni surat dikhiye chali jaati hai.

Aur yeh Laal chudail bhi aisa he karti hai. Roj kuch na kuch aadhura chhod kar chali jaati hai.

Bus sab ko humko pershan karna aata hai.

Karishma's harshly wept her tears and closed her eyes tightly to find some peace but as Karishma closed her eyes in search of peace, she found herself engulfed in a whirlwind of memories.

Blurry flashes of Haseena's first day at MPT flooded her mind, replaying the moment when Haseena had boldly dragged Karishma's chair closer, locking eyes with her for the first time. The intensity of Haseena's gaze, with her captivating deep orbs, left Karishma spellbound.

Yet, amidst this scene, a sense of unease crept in as Karishma struggled to recall the identities of the two officers before her.

Her memory loss cast a shadow over the once vivid recollection, clouding her mind with confusion. The more she strained to remember, the more her body reacted, beads of sweat forming as the pressure mounted within her.

Karishma with jerk opened her eyes and look here and there when Maharani ji entered the room and seeing Karishma lying on floor puzzled.

Maharani ji goes to her and called her sweetly,

" Arshu, kya hua baby? Why're you lying on floor"

She gave her hand to Karishma who, holding her mother's hand, got up from the floor and hugged her mother tightly.

" Mumma"

" Mumma's love. What's the matter Arshu? Tell me, what's bothering you?"

Maharani ji asked, lovingly stroking Karishma's hair, who snuggling more in her mother's warmth, mumbled,

" I don't know"

Maharani ji broke the hug and took Karishma to bed. She kissed her forehead while embracing her and lovingly wiping her face with her saree pallu, spoke,

" Arshu I know apko bohat kuch pershan kar raha hai. Lakin baby sab kuch theek ho jaye ga. Apko sab yaad bhi aa jaye ga aur apki JAANA bhi apko mil jaye gayi"

" Kab mumma? Hum kab se JAANA ko dhoond rahy hai? Par na humne unka chehra yaad aa raha hai aur na woh khud bhi humare pass nahi aa rahi.

Jab pass nahi aana toh phir humko kyun pukaarti hai. Kyun humko Majnu kehti hai. Kon hai....

Aur jab hum yaad karte hai toh sab blur hai. Kuch na samjh aa raha hai aur na he yaad aata hum. Aur phir humare sar main bohat zayad dard hota hai"

Karishma complained innocently while wiping tears and resting her head on her mother's bosom. Maharani ji felt bad for her dear daughter and considered ending her daughter's suffering by telling her about her JAANA. However, Haseena's words and her feelings prevented the mother from betraying one daughter for another.

" Mumma"

Karishma averted her mother's attention towards her. Maharani ji smiled and, pecking her head, indirectly gave her a hint about her JAANA.

" Arshu apko pata hai. Kabhi kabhi humne us cheez ko dhoond ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Kyun ke jis cheez ki humne sab se zyada khawish hoti hai.

Woh yahi kahin humare pass hoti hai. Bus woh humari ankho ke samne he hoti hai. Bus hum he usko peechan nahi paa rahy hote"

" Kya mumma? Hum kuch samjhe nahi."

Karishma innocently asked, lifting her eyes to her mother. Maharani ji smiled at her innocence and, pecking her eyes, said,

" Humara bhudhu Arshu. Bhudhu ka bhudhu he rahy ga"

" Mumma hum bhudhu nahi hai"

Karishma pulled a cute, angry pout, making Maharani ji chuckle. She then pulled Karishma's cheek and said,

" Acha theek hai. Aisa gusa wala face nahi banaye. Aur tell me ap ney medicines li hai apni?"

" Nahi, humko aur medinces nahi khaani. Hum nahi khaye gay"

Karishma declared that she did not want to take any medicines while snuggling in her mother's warmth. Maharani ji shook her head, grabbed the medicines and a glass of water from the side table.

She made Karishma take her medicines and then, cradling her, informed Karishma that she had to leave for Jodhpur.

" Arshu, mumma ko abhi todi der main Jhodpur ke liya nikhala hai"

Karishma was shocked and quickly came out of her mother's arms, asking in a shocked tone,

" Kya? Ap jaa rahy ho. Nahi nahi ap Arshu ko chhod kar nahi jaa sakte. Mumma nah"

Nodding negatively, Karishma hugged her mother tightly, not ready to let her go far from her.

" Phele woh police wali--- Ama bakk humko kya woh Jhooti Chudail kahin bhi jaye. Humko koi fark nahi padta.

Lakin mumma, nah hum mumma ko kahin bhi nahi jaane de gay."

Karishma thought as she clung tightly to her mother.

" Arshu, mumma's baby. Hum bhi apko aise chhod kar nahi jana chahte. Lakin Arshu baby. Mumma ka jana bohat zaroori hai.  Hum raat tak yaha phir kal subha tak laut aye gay ap ney baby ke pass. I promise to my Arshu baby"

Maharani ji tried to make her Arshu understand. Looking at her mother with pleading eyes, Arshu agreed but kept a condition.

" Theek hai ap jaa sakte ho. Lakin hum bhi sath aye gay. Humko bhi le kar jaye sath."

Maharani ji let out a laugh at her child's naive and nogistic terms and conditions

" Mumma, ap hass kyun rahy ho?"

Karishma asked, placing her hand on her mother's cheek. Maharani ji, kissing it, replied,

" Kyun ke ap abhi bhi Chotu se Arshu lag rahy ho. Inko har waqt mumma ke pass aur sath jana hai. But baby hum apko sath nahi le kar jaa sakte"

Maharani ji declined Karishma's condition, prompting Karishma to ask her reason.

" Kyun? Hum kyun nahi aa sakte apke sath, mumma?"

" First you tell. Ap kyun aana chahte ho mumma ke sath?"

Maharani ji asked, taking Karishma's cute face between her palms. Karishma, being honest to her mother, complained about Haseena in one breath.

" Kyun ke woh SHO Laal Chudail humko bohat pershan karti hai mumma"

" Laal Chudail"

Maharani ji choked upon hearing the name of her daughter-in-law, which her dear daughter mentioned.

" Kya hua, mumma?"

Karishma asked Maharani ji to sip water. Maharani ji kept the glass of water aside and made her understand not to use such words for Haseena

" Arshu baby. Aisa nahi bolte unko. Yeh galat baat hai. Aur woh toh itni pyaari hai. Apko kaha se woh--"

Maharani ji couldn't call her daughter-in-law Laal Chudail, but her daughter did.

" SHO Laal Chudail hai woh mumma. Apko pata hai jab hum unko pheli bar aise back se dekhe thy toh humko bhi woh laga ke woh he JAANA hai.

Humari JAANA hai woh mumma is liya humko unka face dekha tha. Hum dekhe bhi aur un se poocha bhi ke woh kon hai.

Lakin woh toh police wali nikhali. Jis ney Kareena didi se jhoot bola ke woh JAANA ko dekha hai.

Agar mumma unko JAANA ka mahloom hota toh woh humko batata nahi deti mumma.

Aur phir jhoot bola aur phir humare liya door bhi close kar diye thy. Aur aisa boli
" Now you're not going anywhere"

Mimicking Haseena's words and actions, Karishma continues her tale of Laal Chudail.

" Kyun? Woh hoti kon hai Karishma Singh ko order dene wali? Is liya humko gusa aya toh humne unka naam Laal Saree Wali Chudail rakh diya.

Lakin mumma apko pata hai woh sirf saree main he chudail lag rahi thi. Subha wardi main ek dam bawal lag rahi thi bikhul apne naam ke jaise mumma. Bohat Haseen lag rahi thi mumma."

" Acha. Toh phir woh chudail kaise hui?"

Maharani ji asked, suppressing her smile as she was really enjoying Arshu's adventures, to talk about how she did the naming ceremony of her own Jaana, about whom she's unaware. Kareena was capturing every word of Arshu, to share it with her bhabhi ji

" Woh aisa mumma ke woh humko pershan karti hai. Unko pata hai ke JAANA kaha hai lakin humko nahi bataa rahi.

Aur phir mumma apko nahi pata us SHO Laal Chudail ney humare sath breakfast table par kya kiya tha"

" Kya? Kya kiya tha Haseena ney humare Arshu baby ke sath?"

Maharani ji asked Karishma to eat some fruits that Kareena brought when Karishma was lost in complaining to her mother about Haseena.

" Mumma, JAANA ney humko ignore kiya ( Maharani ji gets shocked to hear this and even Kareena stop filming) aur Arshu ko acha nahi laga aur phir woh chali gayi humko dekha bhi nahi.

Is liya humko nahi rehna yaha. Hum sath chale gay apke sath. Bus paka"

" Arshu apko pata hai ap ney abhi kya bola?

Maharani ji asked, cupping Karishma's face, and wishes that Karishma remembers everything.

" Haan unko sath jana hai"

Karishma told, but Maharani ji, nodding negatively, emphasized  Karishma to tell what she said before this

" Us se phele ap ney kya bola, Arshu"

" Kya bola? Humko ignore kiya"

Karishma repeated herself, but Maharani ji told her that she called Haseena by a name."

" Arshu abhi ap ney Haseena ko kis naam se pukara? Hum woh keha rahy hai"

" Uff mumma woh SHO Laal Chudail hai saree wali. Hum usko us he naam se pukare gay na. Koi JAANA toh hai nahi joh hum unko JAANA bole. Aur huh--- hum humari JAANA ka naam us Laal Chudail ko kyun dey.

JAANA jana hai aur woh SHO Laal Chudail hai aur wohi rahy gayi bus."

Karishma declared, cuddling in the warmth of her mother, as the effects of the medicines were making her sleepy.