Haseena felt really upset with herself for losing control of the situation with Karishma in such an unexpected way.
She was frustrated and mad at herself for not being able to handle her emotions better.
She continued to talk to herself and tried to make sense of why she had acted like this.
"Why do I get so flustered and weak around her, aisa lag raha hai ki kuch toh hai jo hame dikhayi nahi de raha, pata nahi kyu lekin karishma se milke kisi apne ka ehsaas hotha hai"
On the other hand, Karishma exited the room with a giddy smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her mind still filled with the memory of Hasseena's kiss.
She couldn't believe that she had just kissed Haseena, the woman she had grown so close to, but she felt completely and utterly happy. The kiss was a testament to the growing trust and intimacy between them, and Karishma was already fantasizing about their next encounter.
Karishma felt a sudden vibration of her phone in her pocket and saw that it was a call from her friend Shivani.
"Bol kya baat hai!" Karishma said with a smile as she began to talk to her friend over the phone.
"I'm at Haseena's, I'm gonna come inside can you manage?" Shivani said over the call
Karishma was confused and she asked immediately "Shivani, what do you mean you're at Haseena's place now?"
Shivani's voice came through the speaker phone. Her words were filled with concern, her tone heavy with worry.
"Hum ne sab kuch bata diya santu ko ye sab natak ke bareme, and Santu looked so disturbed and broken when she came back to Hasseena's place after meeting me, I'm just really worried."
She sounded truly distraught on behalf of Santu's condition.
Hearing Shivani's words, Karishma also felt a sense of concern for Santu.
Santu had been so broken up when she came to Hasseena's house, and now, Karishma could hear the worry and concern in Shivani's voice.
Karishma felt a sinking feeling in her heart, as if she were somehow responsible for Santu's state of mind.
Karishma told Shivani, "Okay, Shivani, come over, I'll manage here, but just remember to be careful in front of Haseena, I'll go meet santu, you just come straight to her room"
She wanted Shivani to have the presence of mind to avoid saying anything that might trigger anything related to Haseena's past.
After ending the call with Shivani, Karishma went to the room where Santu was present.
Santu was gazing out of her window, lost in her own thoughts.
Karishma could see the pain in her eyes, the emptiness in her soul.
Karishma approached Santu slowly and gently, asking her, "Santu, are you okay?"
Santu just stared at her, eyes filled with mixed emotion including confusion and fear. She appeared to be in a daze, as if she were lost and struggling to find her way back.
"Di,Why didn't you tell me that you and Haseena are pretending like girlfriends?"
Karishma remained silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. She was taken aback by Santu's reaction and
she replied:
"Lekin bathaya toh tha na santu"
Santu responded, "Yes, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Karishma was unsure how to respond, but one thing was clear Santu was incredibly upset with her.
At that exact moment, Shivani came into the room where Santu and Karishma were, having their confrontation.
"Lekin,tu itna react kyu ka rahi hai santu?? Kya baat hai ? Tu kuch chupa rahi hai humse, usually you don't react this way" Shivani interjected, and she walked towards Santu.
The three women were now standing in front of one another, all with conflicted emotions running through them.
Karishma gently placed her hand on Santu's shoulder as she spoke. "What is it, Santu?"
Santu's eyes welled up with tears as she spoke, her voice filled with sorrow.
"Why do you think Haseena takes pills every day?" She asked, her words dripping with concern for Hasseena's health and well-being.
Karishma's mood shifted upon hearing this information, becoming more serious. She realized that this was not just a passing issue, and that there was something deeper going on that she had not noticed before.
Karishma looked intensely at Santu, trying to glean more information from her words, as she asked, "hum bhi yahi puchne wale the santu, hame dekha tha thodi der pehle tume haseena ko pills dete hue, lekin kyu??"
Santu took a breath and continued saying:
"As we all know haseena is suffering from amnestic syndrome, jab accident hua tha toh haseena deep regret me ja chuki thi ke ye sab usi ke wajah se hi hua hai, yaha tak tumara death ke liye bhi haseena ne khudko blame kiya, she was in undeniable regret when i took her to the hospital, haseena sirf logonko bhul chuki hai ehsaas ko nahi, she can feel the regret even now, bas use iss baat ka pata nahi hai ki why is she feeling regret, aur haseena ko anxiety attacks bhi aate hai isi unknown regret ki wajah se that is the reason she's taking pills
Santu wipes the tears before continuing
"And the saddest part of it all is that she isn't even aware of it herself.
She doesn't know that she's taking these pills to prevent any type of hurtful memory or regret attacks of her past.
In her mind, she probably sees it as a form of medicinal treatment for some mysterious anxiety disorder." Santu added.
"What did the doctor say?" Shivani asked, now taking charge of the situation.
Karishma was still in shock, unable to respond.
Santu took over, saying,
"The doctors had advised against trying to bring her memories back, we can't forcefully remind her of any past relationships or any thing related to her lost past" Santu explained
"as it could cause her danger. They had said that if she remembers those hurtful memories and regrets once again, it might be very dangerous."
Santu said this with some reluctance, as if she was struggling to believe it herself.
Karishma was now filled with sadness for Hasseena. She couldn't help but imagine how painful it must be for the woman she loved to live in this state of constant regret and sorrow.
"We all thought you were dead di," Santu explained, "so we agreed with the doctor's advice and never tried to bring her memories back.
"All her memories are filled with you," she added, a mixture of emotion in her voice. This realization hit Karishma hard.
"Aur ab ap wapas aagayi ho toh humne socha sab kuch wapas theek hojaye ga lekin"
Santu continued:
"I can't believe that you are merely pretending to be her girlfriend.
Haseena ki galti bhi nahi hai Wo bichari tho sab ko khush rhakne ke liye natak kar rahi hai lekin ap?? Ap? how can you go along with it?"
Karishma was caught off-guard by the question, and she didn't have a very good answer and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Karishma had agreed to stay close to Hasseena to keep their relationship alive, but that had been before the revelation of her anxiety attacks and all this new information. Now, she was filled with guilt and remorse after hearing this new information. She felt numb.
Karishma's voice was filled with sadness and guilt as she asked Santu, "So now I can't even try to bring Haseena's memories back? Past ka tho chodo lekin hakikat me bhi main sirf ek anjaan hoon Haseena ke liye?? who is pretending to be her girlfriend?"
Santu was silent for a few moments, unsure how to respond. She felt like they were back at square one, but with the added complication that any attempt to jog Hasseena's memories might cause her harm.
Shivani was also stunned hearing this new information. She was feeling all kinds of emotions, none of them good.
She knew that something had to be done to help Hasseena remember who she once was, but at the same time, there was also a danger of this causing more damage to the poor girl. It was truly a conundrum.
"Haseena was in regret because she thought Karishma was dead because of her," Shivani reminded them.
"But now that Karishma is alive, there's nothing for Hasseena to regret, right?" she added.
As Shivani's words echo through the room, Santu and Karishma both look in her direction, realizing that she might have brought up a good suggestion, Shivani's words made perfect sense.
Karishma spoke up, "She actually has a point."
Santu's expression changed as she spoke. She looked at them with a hint of pity, realizing that she had more bad news to share.
"But the doctor said that Hasseena's memories will not be restored in full form," Santu responded. "What if she remembers the memories, but not the people behind them? It could still be a problem for her"
Karishma and Shivani both looked at Santu with a disbelieving look.
Santu observed the looks of both women on her.
"What????" She said raising her eye brows.
"We're talking about the potential of bringing back years' worth of memories for her, and there's a chance she might not even remember who we are. She could remember what she thought happened to you that caused her so much inner turmoil, but still not recall who was even involved."
she said, her tone grave now.
Karishma and Shivani stare at Santu after she makes her point, both processing what she has said.
Santu had raised a valid concern about the possibility of Hasseena failing to recall the people involved in the memories she would have recovered.
Karishma acknowledged the gravity of Hasseena's health concerns.
"Haseena's health is more important to us than anything else," Karishma said, emphasizing the importance of Haseena's safety.
"Hame haseena ko kuch nai hone dena hai, chahe wo hame bhul bhi gaye aur kabhi bhi use hum yaad bhi na aaye, hame ye bhi manzoor hai lekin we should not let anything happen to her." she added, emphasizing the need to tread carefully when dealing with such a delicate situation.
The three of them were sitting in silence, unsure about how to proceed.
It was an incredibly difficult situation, and it was clear that they were all stuck and unsure of what to do next.
Karishma and Shivani both looked at Santu with a sense of hope, knowing that she was the only one left who could potentially help them.
Santu's tone shifted instantly, becoming more mocking as she spoke directly to Karishma and Shivani.
"Ab meri taraf maat dekhiye, plan tho aap dono bestfriends ka tha na??? Ab solution bhi aphi Dundee"
But Santu's voice became softer, seeing the innocent and hopeful expression on Karishma's face.
"Don't ever try to hide anything from me again," santu admonished the two of them.
"If you want my help, then you must be completely transparent with me, aap chahe haseena ki girlfriend or life partner hi kyu na ho, lekin ab iss situation me iss time zone me haseena ko aur uski condition ko sabse accha main jaanti hoon, and now haseena is not just my sister's girlfriend to Me, now haseena is my bestfriend."
Karishma tried to diffuse the tension with some lighthearted banter, pulling on Santu's cheeks as she did so.
"We never hide anything from you," she teased, "you just got the information a little late,"
Santu rolled her eyes at this but let her get away with the playful gesture.
"Toh ab bataogi bhi, koi idea hai? Tumare pass iss situation se bahar kaise aayenge hum?" Karishma's tone is back to an earnest one, as she asks for Santu's guidance and direction.
Santu takes a few moments to think about this and she was about to speak
Shivani's sudden intervention caught both Santu and Karishma by surprise as she said, "I know what Santu's gonna say."
Shivani smirked as she spoke, hinting at something that Santu had said or would say.
Santu rolled her eyes at this but remained silent, awaiting what would be said next.
Karishma's curiosity was piqued as she asked Shivani, "And what is it?"
Santu also seemed curious, wondering if Shivani had truly anticipated her thoughts.
"You need to become her real girlfriend in the present," Shivani said, "forget about her past, and the time you two had together."
"Focus all your energy on her present. Become the person she believes you are right now."
Karishma looked at shivani in surprise and then at Santu for confirmation, and Santu conveyed her agreement with a quick nod of her head.
Santu was surprised to hear this suggestion, realizing that it was exactly what she had been going to suggest, It was almost as if they were on the same wavelength.
"You must transform into the woman Haseena can rely on at the moment" santu said
Karishma nodded.
"Wow yaar, shivani mujhe nahi pata tha ke tera dimag kaam bhi karta hai" karishma joked looking at Shivani
Shivani rolled her eyes and said mockingly,
"I do have a brain and I'm using it to help you solve your problems" shivani continued saying in a more serious tone now
"let's look ahead instead of dwelling in the past. We can move on from this and make the future even brighter for you. Let's focus on the task at hand and make it a success. You can do this."
Karishma, Shivani and santu smile and nod. They know that working together will be important, especially when it comes to supporting Haseena and being the person she can rely upon.
Santu accepts that Shivani is Karishma's best friend and that she will inevitably be involved in her life. They may not have a good relationship, but it's something she will have to deal with. She knows that Karishma can be stubborn and will not back down, so it's better to just let it go. She doesn't have to like her, but she has to be cordial at least. It's best to focus on their mutual goal to help Haseena rather than let internal frustrations get in the way.
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Meanwhile, Noor and Pushpa had been listening to the entire conversation between karishma, Shivani, and Santu. They had been hearing every word that had been said, and their anger and disappointment was mounting.
They felt like they had been betrayed by both Karishma and Hasseena, and they were now waiting for the right moment to join this conversation and express their frustration.
Shivani was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Noor and Pushpa, and she was now worried about the ramifications of them hearing all the things that were just said between her, Karishma, and Santu.
She quickly replied to their surprise, asking, "Aunty, when did you guys come??"
Karishma and Santu were both shocked to see Noor and Pushpa walking in at this very moment. They jumped up immediately, as they knew that whatever they said right now could have serious consequences.
Pushpa approached Karishma.
"Krishu tune jhut bola humse??" she asked, "all this while you guys are just pretending to be girlfriends?"
Karishma was now on the hot seat and she did not seem ready to handle this type of confrontation from Pushpa.
While Pushpa was confronting Karishma head-on, Noor stood in the background, watching the exchange between Pushpa and Karishma.
She seemed to be processing the new information that had just been presented to her.
"Amma,I didn't lie to you. I was just hiding the truth for both you and ammi's happiness " Karishma said, trying to reassure her mother.
Pushpa turned away, unable to speak for a moment as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Pushpa's voice was choked with sadness as she spoke, trying hard to keep her emotions in check.
"Please krishu tu aur kuch mat bol, tune dhoka diya hai hame aur toh hame ye samjh nahi aar raha ki kis pe vishwas kare aur kis pe na kare"
She sounded devastated, She was clearly trying to make sense of this new information, as it had thrown her entire world upside down.
Karishma's attitude shifted towards Noor as she approached her with anticipation, hoping for a more understanding reaction from her.
"Ammi, a..ammi please aap toh samjhe na baat ko aur please samjhaiye amma ko, humne ye sab jaan bhuj ke nahi kiya.. ye sab hame karna pada majboori thi hamari, hum haseena ko chod nahi sakte the isiliye unki shart ke liye haan keh diya hum unke kareeb rehna chahte the bas, aur kisi bhi tarah haseena ko past ki yaad dilana chahte the, lekin hame sach me haseena ki ye condition ke bareme nahi pata tha agar pata hotha toh hum kabhi bhi ye natak ke liye haan nahi kehte, aur ammi ek aur baar isme haseena ki koi galati nahi thi"
Karishma's hopes were shattered as Noor remained silent, as if she was ignoring her altogether.
She wanted Noor to see her side of the story and understand why she had chosen to hide this truth from her.
She had felt that she had to protect haseena and her family, but it was clear that Noor was reluctant to even listen to her.
"Ammi, please kuch toh boliye na, aap chahe toh dat lijiye hame lekin please aisa shant mat rahiye" karishma pleaded noor, Noor's silence had a devastating effect on Karishma and her eyes were filled with tears as they met those of Noor. She was hoping for some sort of affirmation from her, some sign that she had heard her.
Noor finally broke the silence with just a few words, her face was a blank slate. No expression or emotion, but her words were firm
"You guys did what you thought was best for the situation. And now I'll do what I feel suits the situation."
Her words were a powerful declaration, a promise that she would take control of the whole situation.
Santu, Karishma, and Shivani were all speechless as they watched Noor speak, their anxiety growing with each moment that passed.
They were now truly in the dark about what Noor was going to do next, and they felt like they had no control over the situation at all.
All they could do now was sit and wait, as their fate was in Noor's hands.
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Hey readers,
Meet you in the next chapter ;)