The Story of us

Chapter 13:- The Caged Ones

J to KS: Don't you know that you shouldn't touch anyone without their permission?

KS snapped out of her dreamland and couldn't believe the way she acted. An instant shame was visible on her face but she didn't know what to say or how to justify her actions. She shouldn't have done that. and now because of her, Haseena's girlfriend is fuming in anger or at least that's what she thought. 

J in a teasing manner: hmmmm...KS I have been noticing you. You have been ogling her the entire evening. Yes I know she is desirable but kuch toh lihaz karo uski present girlfriend ka. 

HM noticed how Karishma's body language changed. She knew that something was consuming Karishma the moment she entered her house. She didn't want to nudge her. She thought maybe Karishma needs some time to talk or think it through. But now she couldn't resist. She knew there is something more that needs to be addressed. 

HM to J: I think you took it too far. She didn't do anything. And I am ending this girlfriend shit. 

KS said "I am sorry" and rushed outside to get some air before anyone could say anything.  

J: You know I was just teasing her. I didn't know that she was that sensitive. 

HM: well now you know. I am gonna talk to her. Take me outside. 

J helped her get outside. 

Karishma was sitting on the porch playing with the leaf she plucked from the tree to her left. 

J: Hey Karishma, I am sorry. I was just pulling your leg. I didn't mean any of that. 

"Here! take her. Touch her all you want. She's all yours", J said while making Haseena sit beside Karishma. 

HM to J: Tu nahi sudhare gi na. Aab nikalo yahan se. And don't wait up on me. 

J went inside. Karishma said, "MS aap kyu aye yahan. Hum toh aise hi hawa lene a gye the bahar. And you shouldn't have talked to her like that. She is already upset with the way I acted. And I am really sorry about that. I didn't mean to make you or your girlfriend uncomfortable."

HM: You did not and she is not my girlfriend. You assumed that.

KS: What do you mean that she is not your girlfriend? 

HM: It's simple. She is not my girlfriend. I don't have a girlfriend and nor I am dating anyone. I don't know why you thought that something is going on between me and Jaan. Yuck! I can't even imagine. 

KS: But you call her Jaan and she also has a cute nickname for you and then the talk about marriage and you guys looked pretty close with each other. 

HM: We are close but just as friends. We met when we were in college. We have created some sweet memories and shared some dark ones too. We know each other really well. And I call her Jaan because her name is Jaan. Her full name is Jaanvi without h but she prefers Jaan. And yes Ammi do want to see her one and only daughter getting married and have a happy life. I am happy now as well but my Ammi seems to think that only marriage can make me glow.

HM chuckled at Karishma's innocence and said, "Aur itni si baat pe you thought we are a couple. And tell me why are you acting all weir...." before Haseen could finish, Karishma embraced HM in a tight hug. Karishma closed her eyes and snuggled her nose more into Haseena's neck. 

Haseena's POV

I could sense that Karishma was not doing well ever since she came back from the station. I don't want to meddle in somebody's business but I couldn't endure her look. She had the same look of heartbreak and vagueness that I had. I don't wish that emotional mayhem on anyone. 

It's been some time since she wrapped me in her arms. I can feel her hot breaths against my neck and her racing heartbeat against my chest. I felt something wet around my neck and it didn't take me much to conclude that Karishma was crying. I have known her for  2 months and based on what I have heard or seen, she is not the kind of person that would surrender her vulnerable side to anyone. I didn't want her to go back into her shell. I know how essential it is to let out these emotions. So, I caressed her hair and sat there in silence. 

It's been a while now and I am starting to wonder if she slept. There hasn't been any movement in past few minutes. I moved a little to check if she is still conscious. My movement seemed to break the comfort she was in. She was fully awake. I guess she just wanted to let herself loose in silence for a while. 

"Please stay like this for a few more minutes." I heard her whisper and she made her hold tight. 

I said, "Sure! and I am here if you want to share something."

"How?", She said while lifting her head from my neck and locking her eyes with mine. 

"How? What?" I replied. 

"How do you know what to do and how to calm me down every time? Why your mere presence has this soothing effect on me? "

Her eyes were wandering for answers. Not only for the questions she just laid in front of me but also for the ones that she was unknowingly asking herself. 

I tried to answer best to my knowledge. "I don't know. But I guess we all need a medium to channel our outcasted emotions. You know what I feel KS?"

KS: hmmmm?

"You are strong, independent and fierce. You care for people around you. Your loved ones are your priority.  You always felt like you have to be the strong one for them. I know things must have been tough.  It isn't easy to raise a child as a single mother. You and Pushpa ji must have been through a lot of hardships. Though Pushpa Ji and you were always there for each other, at some point you just fell out of touch with her or any other person. Do you know why?  "

KS: How do you know all that?

"I observe. But do you know why at some point you felt like no one can get you?"

KS: No

"Because you built a wall around you. All those emotions that were meant to be felt, you caged them and went outside to fight the world and to stand up for your own people. You became so invested in being a good daughter that you neglected the friend that was there in Pushpa ji. You made yourself strong and thick because you felt that if you let your guard down, someone will hurt you or your loved ones. You felt that you don't have any room to be vulnerable. "

KS: And yet here I am. Clinging to a person that was a stranger just a couple of months ago. Isn't that an irony? 

"It is, indeed. But do you know what I think? about the real reason behind your caged feelings. "

She was quiet and surprised a bit. I guess because she herself didn't know the real reason.

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Sorry for any mistakes and Thank you for showering love at my last update. 🙏❤