Nidhi informs Shivani about the happening few minutes back.
"Kya hua hai usse? Khud hi kaha ki wo Karishma se nafrat karti hai aur ab usse hospital lekar gayi. What's wrong with this lady?", Shivani said with a tinge of jealousy and anger.
"Main kuch samhji nai? Wo kyu Veyom ki wife se nafrat karti hai?", Nidhi asked in confusion.
"Karishma is her ex... Issi ki wajah se Haseena ne apne sab rishta tod diye. Aur aaj ussi ki jaan bacha rahi hai.", Shivani reveals.
"Captain Mallik, nafrat ke liye, insaniyat nai bhool sakti. You should be proud of her.", Nidhi gave logical reasoning.
On other hand, Veyom searches for Karishma but couldn't find her anywhere. Thinking Karishma left earlier, he leaves the venue.
At the hospital,
After offering comfort to Karishma, Haseena distanced herself, leaning against the wall. She was acutely aware that Karishma was now someone else's wife, and standing too close didn't feel appropriate to Haseena. Haseena and Karishma were trying to come to terms with the situation. Haseena, unable to contain her curiosity, questioned Karishma about her decision not to inform Veyom.
"Ab kya karna hai? Kyu Veyom ko nai inform karna?" Haseena's curiosity grew.
"Because he doesn't deserve this baby," Karishma replied angrily.
"Why?" Haseena inquired further.
"Kyuki main use isse baache ke baare mein pata lagaya toh woh hume divorce nai denge," Karishma revealed the shocking truth.
"Divorce? Kyu?" Haseena stood up straight, stunned by this revelation.
"Kyuki I hate him! Nafrat hai hume us insaan se!" Karishma shouted.
"Relax! You are carrying a baby," Haseena tried to calm her.
"Sirf kehne ke liye woh Madhur sir ka beta hai... He is a jerk, pervert!" Karishma said, looking at her.
"Madhur sir? Your biochemistry sir? Humare college ke?" Haseena was surprised.
"Haan, wahi Madhur sir. Tumare jaane ke baad sab kuch badal gaya. Ammi ko tumse problem thi, humse nahi. Unko yehi lagta tha ki tumne hume bhadkaya hai... Jan bhuj tumne humara faida uthaya. Uske baad unhone yehi baat Amma ko iss tarah se kaha ki woh bhi humare rishte ke khilaf hogayi. Giraffe, tumhe pata hai hume lagta hai Amma hume accept kar legi, magar woh bhi badal gaya," Karishma began to explain from the start.
"Phir aage kya hua?" Haseena asked.
Just then, a nurse entered with a prescription. "Ye medicines lekar aayi... Hume patient ko dena hai." She handed the slip to Haseena.
"I will handle it," Haseena assured her, and the nurse left.
Karishma continued her story, "Amma ko lagne laga ki hum apni zindagi barbaad kar denge. Lakh baar mana karne ke baad bhi humari shaadi Veyom se fix kardi. Aur sab ko yeh kaha ki agar kisi ne bhi tumhe bataya toh tumare khilaf fraud, humara kidnap aur attempt to murder ka case kar denge. Isliye humne kaha Hasu... Hum kya karte, batao? Uss waqt halat itne kharab the ki woh sach mein complain kar dete police mein. Tumara career, tumara passion sab kuch khatam hojata... Hume Mira ya Misri tak ko batane ka mouka nai diya. Wo sach keh rahe the ki unko nai pata," Karishma added.
"Ye log humare family the? Bahut acha hua ki hum ne unn sab ko chhod diya," Haseena remarked in anger.
Karishma sighed, "Bahut acha kiya hua ki tum chali gayi. Kyuki hume kam se kam ye tasali thi ki tum jahan bhi apna kaam rahi ho without any problem. Kisi tarah se shaadi hui, par humne Veyom ko saaf saaf bol diya tha ki humare beech koi pati-patni wala rishta nai hoga kyuki hum kisi aur se pyaar karte hai. Wo maan bhi gaye. 6 mahine pehle humara divorce process shuru ho chuka hai, jo ghar par ab kisi ko pata nai. Lekin..." she couldn't complete.
"Lekin? Karishma, bolo kaise hua ye sab?" Haseena asked.
Karishma began to explain the dreadful incident, "2 months back, humare career ki sab se lambi surgery thi. Kasam se Hasu, humare paas khade rehne ki bhi takat nai thi. Hum ghar aate hi so gaye... Veyom apni dost ki party se wapas aaye. Completely drunk... Koi hosh nai tha unhe. He forced himself on me... Unhe subah yaad tak nai ki kya hua tha... Hum kuch nai kar paye... Uss din jitna bebas feel kiya kabhi apni zindagi mein nahi kiya..."
Haseena couldn't believe her ears. Her blood was boiling at the highest temperature. Karishma began to cry hysterically. She rushed to Karishma and hugged her tightly. Karishma clung to Haseena as tightly as she could. Tears flowed from her eyes, a mix of misunderstanding and lack of trust.
"Hasu sach mein... Hum aaj bhi tum se pyaar karte hai. Kisi aur ke kabhi nai soucha... Hume lekar jao yahan... Sab ne humare saath galat kiya hai. Sab ne hume majboor kiya hai... Hum... hum wahi karenge jo tum kahogi... Please lekar jao hume yahan se," Karishma said between sobs.
Haseena felt a whirlwind of emotions. She was filled with rage and an overwhelming desire to protect Karishma. Two years of separation had transformed her into a force to be reckoned with, and anyone who crossed her path now was in grave danger. Karishma had endured so much without any support, but now she had her pillar of strength, someone who would not allow anyone to harm her.
Haseena kissed Karishma's hair, silently promising to bring justice in her own way. She knelt down in front of Karishma, holding her ears.
"I'm sorry... Hume maaf kardo... Hume nai pata tha tumare saath ye sab hua hai... I should have tried to understand you. Please karu hume maaf kardo... Hum souch bhi nai sakte jis dard se tum guzri ho... Humare pas sorry ke alawa kuch nai hai.." Haseena pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Karishma held Haseena's hand tightly, still crying uncontrollably. "Nai... Tumari koi galti nai giraffe... Ab bas tum humare saath rehna. Hum sab kuch karne ke liye tayar... Hum kisi se nai daarenge bas tum humare saath rehna. Hum... Ye bacha bhi abort kar denge agar tum kaho..."
"Nai Bakri... Ye gunah hum nai karenge... Ye tumara baby hai. Aur hum tumhe aur tumare baby ko kuch hone nai denge," Haseena declared with unwavering determination.
"Tum ho na humare saath?", Karishma asked, seeking assurance.
"Haan hum hai tumare..." Haseena reassured her as she stood up. "Now stop crying... Acha nai dekhta, itni famous doctor rote hue. Logo ko lagega hum ne koi domestic violence kiya hai...". She tried to lighten the mood, and finally, Karishma managed a chuckle.
The nurse entered the room once more. "Medicines?"
"Hum lekar aate hai... Bakri tum rest karo abhi aaye," Haseena said and moved to the pharmacy.
The nurse proceeded with the remaining check-ups for Karishma while Haseena sat outside the room, holding tissues with closed eyes. She couldn't imagine the pain Karishma had suffered. Her dislike for Karishma's family had now transformed into pure hatred and disgust. Gathering her strength and contemplating her next moves, Haseena went to the pharmacy to collect the required medicines, which she then handed over to the nurse.
After spending more time discussing things with Haseena, Karishma eventually fell asleep due to the medication. Throughout the night, Haseena stayed awake, strategizing her next steps and contemplating how she could protect Karishma from Veyom and her family.
At 5 in the morning, after ages, Karishma woke up to find Haseena still there. Haseena was deep asleep on the sofa, sitting in an uncomfortable position. Karishma genuinely smiled for the first time in a long time. She carefully sat up in bed, still feeling a bit weak, and ignoring it, moved to Haseena. Gently, she placed a cushion under Haseena's head and unbuttoned her blazer. Karishma then sat beside her, resting her head on Haseena's chest.
Around 9 in the morning, Haseena woke up and saw Karishma sleeping comfortably, holding her. The doctor came in and handed over the discharge papers to Haseena. Both freshened up, completed the necessary formalities, and left the hospital.
Haseena's car stopped outside the apartment building. "Apna khayal rakhna, kuch bhi ho bina kuch bhi soche samhje hume call kar dena. Hum aa jayenge. Aur jitna ho sake dur rehna uss ghatiya aadmi se."
Karishma handed over her reports to Haseena. "Ye reports tumare pas hi rakhna. Hum kisi haal mein Veyom ko nai bata sakte. Hum tumhe phir se khona nai chahte."
"Kuch nai hoga. Hum hai tumare saath," Haseena reassured her.
"Chalte hai, bye..." Karishma reluctantly got out of the car.
Karishma felt a mix of relief and emotional heaviness. Relief because she had regained her love, and heaviness because she was returning to the same person, leaving Haseena. But she knew it was just a matter of a few days. Haseena, on the other hand, was tense and worried about Karishma and the life she was carrying.
Later in the evening, Haseena returned to her home, visibly fatigued and drowsy. Shivani hurriedly approached her.
"Kahan thi kal raat se? Na humare call receive ki hai na texts ka reply. What's going on?" Shivani's irritation was at its peak.
Haseena, her weariness evident, responded, "Batate hai. Pehle fresh hokar kuch khale... I'm fucking tired!" before heading into her room.
Shivani set the table while Haseena took a shower and changed into comfortable clothes. Haseena couldn't fathom the extent of what Karishma had endured. She felt an overwhelming sense of guilt for not being there during Karishma's most difficult moments, both mentally and physically. These thoughts consumed Haseena's mind, and there wasn't a moment when Karishma wasn't on her mind.
As they both sat down for dinner, Shivani could easily sense that something was amiss. Haseena appeared tense.
"Haseena, kuch toh kaho... Kyu itni pareshaan ho?" Shivani asked gently.
Haseena took a spoonful of rice and replied, "Karishma is pregnant..."
Shivani, puzzled, responded, "Good to hear, and congratulations to her. Par isme tum kyu pareshaan ho?"
"Shivani... Bahut kuch hua hai. Agar humare pas aaj ye job hai, toh ye sab Karu ki wajah se hai. Main pata bhi nai kitni takleef se akeli guzri chuki hoon," Haseena admitted, her guilt weighing heavily on her.
"Why are you feeling so guilty? Jo usne tumare saath kiya hai uske baad bhi?" Shivani inquired.
Haseena then proceeded to explain the entire story, from the beginning to the present. Shivani realized that any hope she had of winning Haseena's love was shattered. There was no way she could have Haseena's love; it would remain unrequited. However, she cherished their friendship above all else.
"Main tumare saath hoon, Haseena," Shivani reassured, placing her hand over Haseena's. "Family ka kuch ho sakta hai. Lekin Karishma ko zaroor justice milni chahiye. Chalo, hum abhi police mein complaint karte hain."
Haseena's anger flared. "Hume police par bharosa nai hai, jail ke alawa kuch nai hoga. Hum apne tareeke se usko saza denge..."
Shivani began to protest, but Haseena interrupted firmly, "I don't want any 'buts' in this situation. Jo usne Karishma ke saath kiya hai... Usse wo milega jo usne socha tak nai tha."
Haseena then called her boss, starting with a polite "Good evening, sir."
"Good evening...", he greeted back.
"Sir humare pas ek suggestion hai, training ko lekar.", Haseena said confidently.
"Tumare suggestions humesha top-notch aur profitable rahe hai company ke liye. Go ahead.", He praised her.
"Sir, agar hum training Mumbai to Goa ki cruise par de? I will be the head captain assisted by Shivani. Isse jo training separately hone wali thi uska expense save hoga aur training bhi ho jayegi aur cruise bhi uski destination par hogi...", Haseena suggests
After proposing a training idea, her boss was highly impressed. "Brilliant idea, Captain Mallik...! I completely agree with you. Ab tum hi iss cruise ko lead karogi with Shivani. Main Captain Khan and team ko koi aur consignment de dunga. As per schedule, the cruise will leave the port tomorrow at 11 AM."
With a satisfied smirk, Haseena ended the call and faced Shivani's questioning gaze.
"Haseena, tumhara dimag mein kya chal raha hai? Ye kyu kiya?" Shivani asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Kyuki cruise par saari facilities hogi jo ek normal ship par nai hogi. Hum bakri ki health ke saath koi risk Lena nai chahte, plus wahan itne log honge kisi ko pata bhi nai hoga kya chal raha hai dusri side par." Haseena explained.
"Mujhe sach mein samjh nai aa raha tumhara kya plan hai, par please kuch galat mat karna," Shivani pleaded.