The next morning arrived much slower than the previous one.

For the first time in months, neither of them had anywhere to rush.

No alarm. No academy whistle. No phone buzzing every few minutes.

Just birds.

Lots of them.

Karishma slowly opened her eyes and stretched. She looked outside — mist still floated between the trees, gently covering the roads as the early morning sun tried to peek through.

A smile found its way onto her face.

"Di..."

Without opening her eyes, Haseena hummed, "Hmm?"

"Bahar chale?"

A sleepy smile appeared on Haseena's face. "Five minutes."

Karishma laughed. "Ye five minutes Mumbai wale hain ya Lonavala wale?"

Haseena opened one eye just enough to look at her. "Lonavala."

"Toh theek hai."

Twenty minutes later, both sisters walked through the quiet roads — one hand tucked inside their hoodie pockets, the other holding a water bottle. A small packet of biscuits sat wedged under Karishma's arm.

Neither of them spoke.

Not because they had nothing to say. But because silence here felt... nice. It wasn't awkward. It wasn't empty. It simply existed.

Every now and then, a bird crossed the road. A dog stretched lazily outside someone's gate before going back to sleep. Somewhere nearby, an old man watered his plants while softly humming an old Hindi song.

Karishma looked around continuously.

"Di..."

"Hmm?"

"Log yahan itne shaant kaise rehte hain?"

Haseena smiled. "Network slow hoga."

Karishma looked at her for a second. Then burst out laughing. "Sahi bola."

After nearly half an hour, the road suddenly opened up.

Karishma instinctively slowed down.

In front of them stretched a beautiful lake — still, calm, the water reflecting the morning sky so perfectly it looked like someone had placed a giant mirror in the middle of nature. Not a single ripple disturbed its surface.

Karishma stopped walking altogether.

"...Di."

"Hmm?"

"Ye asli hai?"

Haseena smiled. "Haan."

Karishma didn't move. She just stared.

"Itna shaant paani bhi hota hai?"

"Hota hai."

Without discussing it, both sisters walked over to the small wooden bench beneath an old tree and sat down.

A cool breeze passed over the lake. Tiny ripples slowly appeared. Then — a bright blue kingfisher shot across the water and disappeared into the trees. Karishma followed it with wide eyes until it was gone.

"...Blue."

"Hmm."

"Real life mein bhi itna blue hota hai?"

"Hota hai."

A squirrel climbed halfway down the nearby tree, then stopped to inspect the two visitors below.

Karishma quietly opened the biscuit packet and extended one toward it.

"Khayega?"

The squirrel stared at her for exactly one second. Then turned around and ran.

Karishma slowly lowered her hand. "Attitude dekho."

Haseena burst out laughing. "Tumne usse permission maangi."

"Haan toh?"

"Reply toh karke jaata."

Karishma looked genuinely offended, and that only made Haseena laugh harder.

A family of ducks slowly crossed the lake. One tiny duckling struggled to keep up — falling behind every few seconds, paddling furiously to close the gap.

Karishma watched carefully.

"Di... woh chhota wala dekho. Sabse peeche reh gaya."

Neither of them spoke.

Then the mother duck slowed down. She simply waited — still, patient — until the tiny one caught up. Only then did she continue.

A small smile appeared on Karishma's face. She didn't even realize it.

Time quietly slipped away.

Neither sister checked their phone. Neither said a word. They just sat there — watching, listening, breathing — while the lake did all the talking.

After nearly an hour, Karishma finally spoke. Very softly.

"Di."

"Hmm?"

"Yahan aake... ajeeb sa lag raha hai."

"Kaisa ajeeb?"

"Pata nahi." She looked back at the water. "Lag raha hai jaise... dimag shant ho gaya."

Haseena was quiet for a moment. Then she smiled. "Isi liye laaye the."

Karishma turned toward her. "Hume?"

"Hmm."

"Kyu?"

Haseena looked directly into her eyes. "Kyunki tum bohot thak gayi thi."

Karishma frowned. "Hum toh Bangalore se bas—"

Haseena gently shook her head. "Nahi." She smiled, a little sadly. "Andar se."

Silence.

Leaves rustled softly above them. A temple bell echoed from somewhere far away.

Karishma slowly lowered her eyes.

And for the first time... she didn't deny it. She didn't smile it away. She simply accepted it.

Neither sister spoke again. There was nothing left to explain.

Sometimes, being understood felt better than being comforted.

After a while, both sisters stood up. They had barely taken a few steps when Karishma stopped and turned around — looking at the lake one last time.

"Di."

"Hmm?"

"Kabhi phir aayenge?"

"Jab bhi zarurat hogi."

Karishma looked at the lake for another moment. Then nodded.

This time, she believed her.

Together, they quietly walked back.

Behind them, the lake remained exactly where it was — peaceful, still, waiting. Just in case someone else needed a place to breathe someday.

The rain had returned by evening.

Not the loud, dramatic kind — just a slow, steady drizzle that tapped gently against the large glass windows of the villa, quiet enough that you had to actually listen to hear it. The electricity had gone out nearly half an hour ago, and candles scattered around the living room filled the house with soft golden light, their flames swaying lazily whenever the cool breeze slipped through the slightly open window. Shadows moved gently across the walls. Everything smelled faintly of rain and warm wax.

Karishma sat cross-legged on the wooden floor beside the window, one finger tracing random shapes on the fogged-up glass. A smiley face. A flower with five uneven petals. Then she pressed her palm flat against it and erased everything at once. A few seconds later the fog crept back, and she started again without thinking.

Soft footsteps came from the kitchen.

Haseena walked out carrying two steaming mugs, careful not to spill. "Coffee."

Karishma turned immediately. "Humari?"

"Hmm."

A smile spread across her face. She accepted the mug with both hands, wrapping her cold fingers around the warmth before taking a small sip.

"Mmm..." She closed her eyes with dramatic appreciation. "Di. Yahan ki coffee bhi Mumbai se better lag rahi hai."

Haseena chuckled and settled beside her. "Coffee same hai."

"Nahi." Karishma shook her head with complete confidence. "Jagah change ho toh taste bhi change ho jaata hai."

"Scientifically impossible."

"Hume scientifically possible lag raha hai."

Haseena smiled and decided not to argue.

For the next several minutes, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the soft clink of ceramic mugs, rain tapping steadily against glass, and the occasional chirp of crickets somewhere out in the dark. One candle flame flickered like it might go out — then steadied itself.

It wasn't uncomfortable silence. It was the kind that only exists between people who've stopped needing to fill every gap with words.

Karishma quietly watched raindrops race each other down the glass. Every now and then she'd wipe the fog away with her sleeve, only for it to return seconds later. She'd wipe it again. It would come back. She didn't seem to notice she was doing it.

Haseena noticed. A small smile appeared on her face.

Some habits never changed.

"Karu."

"Hmm?" Karishma turned, mug still in both hands.

"Ek baat puchu?"

"Pucho."

Haseena asked softly, "Tum khush ho?"

The question caught Karishma completely off guard. She looked at Haseena for a moment, then back at the rain. "Haan."

"Sach?"

"Hmm."

Haseena didn't push. She simply nodded and looked back at her mug. "Theek hai."

The silence returned — warm, comfortable. The candle swayed once and steadied. Outside, the drizzle continued, unhurried.

Nearly two minutes passed.

Then Karishma spoke. "Aapne ye question kyu pucha?"

"Pata nahi." Haseena shrugged lightly, smiling. "Bas laga puchna chahiye."

Outside, the drizzle kept falling — slow and steady, like the world had decided to take a breath and wait.

Tiny droplets slid down the glass one after another. Karishma absentmindedly traced one with her finger. Then another.

"...Di."

"Hmm?"

Karishma stayed quiet. Almost like she'd forgotten what she wanted to ask.

Haseena didn't hurry her. She simply waited.

After a long moment, Karishma asked quietly — "Hum... burden lagte hain kya?"

Even the rain seemed to go quieter.

"Kya?"

"Hume." She still wasn't looking at Haseena. Just the rain outside. "Pehle Papa ko pareshaan karte the. Mumma ko bhi. Ab... aap dono ko."

Haseena opened her mouth to interrupt.

Karishma shook her head. "Nahi Di... suno na."

Her voice wasn't breaking. It was calm. Too calm.

"Lagta hai hum bich mein aa rahe hain. Major ke paas unke missions hain. Aapke paas UPSC. Hum call bhi kare na toh pehle das baar sochna padta hai — kahin disturb na kar de, kahin busy na ho, kahin hum... unnecessary toh nahi..."

She couldn't finish the sentence.

She looked down at her coffee instead.

After a while, she smiled — small and sad. "Sach bolu?"

"Hmm."

"Hume kabhi alag hona hi nahi tha." A pause. "Na Mumma-Papa se. Na Taffy se." She swallowed. "...Na aapse."

Her voice finally became small. "Hum bas... sabke saath rehna chahte the."

Silence.

Only rain.

Haseena slowly placed her mug on the table. Then shifted closer. Without saying anything, she rested her shoulder gently against Karishma's.

"Karu."

"Hmm?"

"Kabhi aaina dekha hai?"

Karishma frowned. "Hmm?"

"Tumhe khudko dekh ke burden lagta hai?"

Karishma looked at her like the question itself made no sense. "Nahi."

"Bas." Haseena smiled. "Answer mil gaya."

Karishma looked away again. "Di... sach mein. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai hum jaldi bade ho gaye." A quiet exhale. "Pehle jo mann mein aata tha bol dete the. Ab har cheez sochni padti hai — kya bolna hai, kya nahi, kisse call karna hai, kab hasna hai, kab chup rehna hai."

She let out a small laugh. "Adult banna itna boring hota hai kya?"

Haseena smiled sadly. "Bilkul."

Both of them laughed softly.

Then Haseena gently held Karishma's hand.

"Karu... ek baat yaad rakhna." Her voice was steady and quiet. "Insaan burden tab banta hai jab woh apna hota hi nahi. Tum humari ho — sirf behen nahi. Tum humari aadat ho."

She squeezed her hand.

"Ghar aake agar tumhari awaaz na aaye toh ghar ajeeb lagta hai. Tumhare bina chai adhuri lagti hai. Tumhare bina ladai karne ka mann bhi nahi karta." A beat. "Tum responsibility nahi ho, Karu. Tum humari jaan ho."

Karishma didn't say anything.

She simply leaned her head against Haseena's shoulder — quietly, gently, like she'd been wanting to do it for a long time.

A single tear escaped. She wiped it away quickly.

"Dekho... aap phir emotional kar rahe ho."

"Tum phir ro rahi ho."

"Hum nahi ro rahe."

"Hmm."

"Bilkul nahi. Bas..." She looked toward the rain. "...Baarish ka asar hai."

Haseena glanced at the tightly shut window. "Window band hai."

Karishma froze.

"..."

"...Di."

"Hmm?"

"aap bohot irritating ho."

Haseena laughed. "Pata hai."

And just like that — both of them burst into laughter. The kind that fills a room and doesn't apologize for it.

The heaviness that had been sitting between them for months didn't disappear completely. But for the first time, it felt lighter.

The laughter slowly faded. Both sisters leaned back against the sofa, mugs almost empty, the rain still falling outside without any hurry.

"Karu."

"Hmm?"

"Agar hum ek solution bataye... jisse hum phir kabhi alag na ho... toh?"

Karishma looked at her immediately. "Sach?"

"Hmm."

"Jhooth toh nahi bol rahe?"

"Nahi."

"Batao na!"

Haseena laughed. "Itni bhi jaldi kya hai?"

"Di."

"Theek hai, theek hai." She adjusted herself before speaking. "Kabhi RDSI Academy ka naam suna hai?"

"RDSI?"

"Research, Defence & Strategic Intelligence Academy."

Karishma repeated the name slowly. "Naam hi itna dangerous hai... andar kya karate honge?"

"Jo desh ki sabse badi agencies ko chahiye hota hai." Haseena smiled. "Rishikesh ke paas ek academy hai — har saal India bhar ki chhoti moti academies se sirf top students wahan jaate hain. Army, Navy, Air Force, RAW, Cyber, Medical, Finance, Commando — almost har branch ki advanced training wahi hoti hai."

"Major bhi wahi se pass out hui thi."

"Sach?"

"Hmm. Aur..." she smiled proudly, "hum bhi wahi jaana chahte hain. IPS ki training ke liye wahi target hai."

A small silence followed.

"Hum ye sab kyun sun rahe hain?"

Haseena looked directly at her. "Kyunki... agar tum bhi apni academy mein accha perform karogi, aur hum bhi apna exam clear kar lenge — toh hum dono ka selection wahi ho sakta hai."

Karishma stared at her.

"Hum... phir saath reh sakte hain?"

"Haan. Same academy. Same departments because tumhe bhi SI, SHO ki training chahiye." Haseena smiled, "Ha bus different rooms honge as age vise different batch honge, but sath tho reh payenge na"

A slow smile spread across Karishma's face. The first one that wasn't hiding any pain behind it.

"Sach?"

"Hmm."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Karishma looked down for a moment. Then held out her little finger.

"Pinky promise."

Haseena laughed. "Abhi bhi bachchi ho."

"Aap bhi ho, ab karo na promise."

Smiling, Haseena hooked her little finger with Karishma's.

"Done."

For the first time in a long while, the future didn't feel scary. It felt like something worth working for.

"Waise..." Haseena looked thoughtful. Jo humari roommate hai na Kridha uski sisters bhi wahi hai abhi training ke liye ek commando and ek medicals ke liyee."

"ohh toppers"

"dono almost same age ke hai ek saal ka difference humse 1-2 saal choti hai dono."

"Mile ho aap unse?"

Haseena suddenly laughed and covered her face. "Mile toh nahi... par ek baar baat zaroor hui thi."

Karishma raised an eyebrow. "Kab?"

"Mat pucho."

"Ab toh pakka puchenge."

"Theek hai... par hasna mat."

"Promise."

"Tum jhooth bol rahi ho."

"Bilkul, ab batao bhi"

Haseena sighed. "Us din... jab maine galti se Kridha ko bathroom mein dekh liya tha."

"KYA?!"

Karishma almost spilled the last sip of her coffee.

Yeh baat hai un dino ki....

It had been barely a week since Haseena had shifted into the apartment. Living with a roommate still felt strange — years of staying alone had turned small habits into second nature. Knocking before entering wasn't one of them.

That evening, she'd just returned from class, exhausted, carrying two heavy bags. The apartment was unusually quiet.

"Kridha?" No reply. "Kridha?" Nothing.

Just then — a loud ringtone echoed from inside. One ring. Then another.

Haseena looked toward the washroom. "Yaar, phone baj raha hai."

She knocked lightly on the door. Tok. Tok. "Kridha?"

No answer. The moment her hand touched the handle —

Click. The door swung open.

For exactly one second, time stopped.

Kridha stood under the shower. Haseena's eyes went wide. Both of them froze.

Then —

"AAAAAA!"

The scream echoed through the entire apartment. Haseena spun around so fast she nearly lost her balance.

"YAAR!" She covered her eyes dramatically. "Darwaza khula rakh ke kaun nahata hai?!"

"Sorry! Main akeli rehti thi na — aadat hai! Completely bhool gayi tum aa gayi ho!"

BANG. The bathroom door slammed shut so hard the walls shook.

Silence.

Haseena stood frozen, hands still over her eyes, facing the wall.

"...accha hai mujhe dikhayi nhi deta."

Inside, Kridha had already started laughing. "Sorry yaar! Sach mein aadat se majboor hoon!"

"Tum..." Haseena pointed dramatically at the closed door. "...Batameez ho."

"Theek hai. Pehle phone utha lo — important hoga. Main tab tak change kar leti hoon."

Haseena sighed, picked up the constantly ringing phone, and glanced at the screen.

🌸 Ties That Bind🌸

She smiled without meaning to. Then answered.

Immediately — two faces appeared. One from below, one from above.

"HUIIIIIIIIIII!" "Kiwiiiiii!" "My pyaari Kiwiiiii!"

Haseena blinked. "...Ji?"

Both girls froze. One slowly leaned closer to the camera.

"Oh. My. God."

"VINI!" She slapped the girl beside her. "Hamari Kiwi kidnap ho gayi!"

The second girl gasped. "Sach mein! Kidnapper ne phone bhi utha liya!"

From somewhere behind them — "Madam, dosa ke paise?"

The first girl looked back briefly. "Uncle ek minute!" Then back at the screen. "Hello! Dekho — hamare paas paise nahi hain. Please Kiwi ko chhod do. Hum emotional log hain. Hume rona aa jayega."

Haseena stood there, completely speechless. "...Ye kya ho raha hai?"

And from inside the bathroom — "Phone uthaya kya?!"

Haseena looked at the closed door. Then back at the two absolute disasters on screen. And slowly began to understand — this conversation was only getting started.

Nobody spoke for a few seconds.

Then the girl holding the phone narrowed her eyes. She looked behind Haseena, then toward the bathroom door, then back at Haseena.

"VINIIIIII!" She smacked the girl beside her. "Hamari Kiwi sach mein kidnap ho gayi!"

The second girl leaned so close to the phone that only one eye was visible. "Oh my God. Kidnapper bhi kitni calm hai. Pakka professional lag rahi hai."

Haseena blinked. "...Ji?"

The first girl immediately folded her hands. "Dekhiye. Hamare paas paise nahi hain. Kiwi ko please chhod dijiye. Pyaari bacchi hai — thodi irritating hai, par dil ki acchi hai."

"Madam... paise?"

"Uncle ek minute na!" She turned back to the screen. "Dekho — abhi hum already financial crisis mein chal rahe hain. Ransom mat maangna."

Haseena's brain had officially stopped working.

She slowly turned toward the bathroom. "Kridha... tumhari behene hain?"

"Haan. Kyu?"

"...Kuch nahi."

The bathroom door opened. Kridha walked out drying her hair with a towel — and the moment she appeared on screen, both girls screamed together.

"KIIIIWIIIIII! Zinda hai! Kidnapper ne kuch nahi kiya!"

Kridha stared at them. "Tum dono ko kya hua hai?"

The first girl pointed at Haseena. "Ye kaun hai?"

"Haseena. Meri roommate."

Silence. Both girls looked at each other. Then at Haseena. Then back at Kridha.

"...Accha. Toh kidnapping cancel."

Haseena couldn't help it — she laughed.

Then the first girl sat up straight, suddenly remembering something important. "Haan! Kiwi, jaldi se fifty rupees bhej."

"...Bas?"

"Haan. Dosa khaya. Paise khatam."

Before Kridha could respond — "Fifty nahi! Hundred bhejna! Maine bhi khaya hai!" A pause. "Pani puri bhi khaungi. One fifty kar dena."

Kridha closed her eyes slowly. "Tum dono training pe gaye ho ya picnic pe?"

The first girl nodded proudly. "Dono."

"Seriously Aadhya? Training shuru hone mein kitna time hai?"

Aadhya glanced at her watch. "Bas... fifty minutes....late hu"

"FIFTY MINUTES?! Aur tum dosa kha rahi ho?!"

"Relax. Running karke pahunch jayenge."

"Late ho gayi ho already?"

"tho punishment tho vaise bhi milne he wali hai 10 min se kya ho jayega"

Kridha laughed sarcastically. "Chief ko bol denge. Good luck."

Aadhya looked offended. "haa ha tum tho Chief ki favourite ho — tum jo bologi wo maan he jayegi , bol do abhi konsa wo hai samne, tab ka tab dekha jayega"

The second girl — Vrishti — quietly entered the frame and smiled sweetly at Kridha. "Kiwiiii..." She held up both hands, nails freshly done. "Please paise bhej do na. Maine kal hi nails karvaye hain. Bartan bhi nahi dho sakti — dosa bhi spoon se kha rahi hoon."

Haseena looked down. The girl was genuinely eating dosa and pani puri with a spoon.

She had no words. 

Kridha sighed. "Tum impossible ho."

Vrishti smiled. "I know. Isiliye toh tum favourite sister ho."

Kridha immediately melted. "Theek hai. Bhej rahi hoon."

Aadhya threw both hands into the air. "YEEEES!"

Just before the call ended, Aadhya sat up straight. "Oh! Introduction."

"I am Aadhya Sehgal. Kridha ki sabse choti... sabse pyaari... sabse intelligent... sabse favourite behen."

From beside her — "Jhooth."

Vrishti smiled politely at Haseena. "Hello. Main Vrishti Sehgal. Middle child. Innocent one."

"Innocent? Tu? Comedy mat kar."

Vrishti ignored her completely. "Aur ye..." She pointed at Aadhya. "...Ghar ka unpaid headache hai."

"Abe!"

"Chup."

And just like that, both of them started fighting — loud, shameless, completely unbothered.

Kridha rubbed her forehead.

Haseena quietly watched the whole thing.

Then slowly smiled.

She had never met these girls before. But the chaos felt strangely familiar — exactly the kind that made a house feel like home.

The call disconnected. The apartment went quiet.

Haseena looked at Kridha. "...Ye kya tha?"

Kridha sighed dramatically. "Welcome to my family."

Haseena couldn't stop laughing.

The moment Haseena finished, Karishma was still laughing — wiping the corner of her eyes.

"No seriously... ye dono aise hi hain?"

"Janam se."

"Seriously?"

"Hmm. Subah uthte hi shuru."

Karishma shook her head. "Hum ek din mein hi thak gaye." Then — "Kiwi... ye naam kisne rakha?"

"Aadhya."

"Obviously. Reason?"

"just because she likes kiwi, that tooo khane ke liye nhi weapons ki training karte timme wo kiwi ko as a prop use kartii hai. baki ye wahi dono hai jinke ennglish letter and windo atma katha ki kahani mai tumhe suna rahi thi.

E.N.D

Both laughed. Then after a while, Karishma grew curious.

"Badi kaun hai?"

"Cheif karke koi hai ek then Kridha. Uske baad Vrishti. Sabse choti Aadhya."

Karishma blinked. "Impossible. Sabse choti sabse zyada bolti hai?"

"Pura ghar usi ki wajah se shor karta hai."

"Aur Vrishti?"

"Shant dikhti hai."

"Dikhti hai?"

Haseena laughed. "Bas dikhti hai. Reality mein utni hi dangerous."

Karishma grinned. "Innocent acting karti hai?"

"Gold medal."

A beat of comfortable silence. Then — "Chief kaun hai? Aadhya bol rahi thi na, 'Chief daantegi.'"

"Not sure, mile nhi kabhi mission pe hai kridha keh rahi thi, huamari major jaisi he strict hai kafi, 6 months se mission pe hai, kridha bohot yaad karti hai like dekha hai usse humne shahnt ho jati hai bohot baar chief and kridha ka bond strong hai kafi I feel compare to these two."

"Major jaisi strict I don't believe major se khatarnak koi nhi"

"Hmm. Sab usse Chief bulate hain — bachpan se hi leader bani ghoomti hai."

"Matlab self-appointed?"

"Bilkul. Order deti rehti hai."

"Khud follow karti hai?"

"Situation ke hisaab se."

"Like our major'

Both burst out laughing again.

Karishma leaned back comfortably, a soft smile on her face. "Pata hai... hume milna hai inse. Kridha Di, Aadhya Di , Vrishti Di... aur Chief se bhi."

"Milega. Ek din."

"Sach?"

"Hmm."

Karishma smiled. Then immediately frowned. "Ek minute... agar hum RDSI gaye, aur ye log bhi wahi hai..." She started counting on her fingers. "Aap. Hum. Kridha Di. Aadhya Di. Vrishti Di." She slowly looked up. "Ek hi jagah?"

"Hopefully."

Karishma immediately covered her face. "Bhagwan academy bachana."

"Kyu?"

"Itne saare pagal log ek campus mein... national disaster ho jayega."

Haseena smiled. She looked out at the rain, quietly, without Karishma noticing.

Maybe that wasn't a disaster.

Maybe that was exactly what all of them needed — a place where none of them would ever have to feel alone again.

The laughter slowly faded. Outside, the rain had almost stopped — just a few drops still sliding down the glass.

Karishma smiled to herself. "...Ye log sach mein ajeeb hain."

"Haan," Haseena agreed. "Par bohot acche hain."

"Pata chal gaya."

She rested her head against the back of the sofa. A few quiet moments passed.

Then — "Di."

"Hmm?"

"Hume bhi jaana hai."

"Kahan?"

"Wahi." A smile. "RDSI."

Haseena looked at her. "Itna easy nahi hai."

"Pata hai."

"Har academy se sirf best students jaate hain."

"Pata hai."

"Training aur bhi difficult hogi."

"Pata hai."

"Ho bhi sakta hai selection na ho."

Karishma looked at her with complete, quiet confidence. "Try toh kar sakte hain na. and agar sath rehhne ka moka mil raha hai tho for sure din raat ek karna banta hai."

Haseena didn't reply immediately.

She just looked at her little sister. And for the first time in months, she wasn't seeing fear in Karishma's eyes. She was seeing something else entirely.

Determination.

"Theek hai." She held out her hand. "Deal."

"Kis baat ki?"

"Aaj se — hum dono mehnat karenge. Apne-apne exams ke liye. Apne-apne sapno ke liye." A pause. "...Aur ek hi academy ke liye."

Karishma immediately placed her hand over Haseena's. "Deal."

"Pakka?"

"Pakka."

"Pinky promise?"

Haseena laughed. "Abhi bhi?"

"Haan. Rules are rules."

Smiling, Haseena hooked her little finger with Karishma's. "Pinky promise."

The next morning, the villa was unusually quiet.

Both sisters packed their bags. This time, Haseena didn't have to remind Karishma to fold her clothes, or hang the towel, or put things back where they belonged. She quietly did everything herself.

Haseena noticed. She didn't say anything.

Some changes didn't need compliments. They just needed to be seen.

A few minutes later, they stepped outside. The cool mountain breeze welcomed them one last time. Haseena locked the villa.

Click.

"Ready?"

"Hmm."

They started walking. After a few steps, Karishma stopped.

She turned around.

The little white villa stood peacefully among the trees — the swing moving gently with the wind, the flowers near the entrance swaying. It looked exactly the same as when they'd arrived.

Yet it felt completely different.

She smiled. Then raised her hand and waved.

Haseena looked at her. "Kisko bye bol rahi ho?"

Karishma shrugged. "Pata nahi." A small smile. "Bas... thank you bolna tha."

Haseena looked at the villa. Then back at her sister.

"Lagta hai ye jagah bhi tumhe yaad rakhegi."

Karishma laughed softly. "Dobara aayenge."

"Hmm. Jab bhi zarurat hogi."

Both sisters smiled.

Then quietly walked away together. Neither of them looked back again.

Some places don't change your life.

They simply remind you how to smile again.

.

.

.

𓂃 🖋️ 3798

And that's it for today. 💙

This was the longest chapter I've written so far, and I truly hope you enjoyed every bit of it.

If you did, don't forget to vote, share, and let me know your favorite moment in the comments. ✨

See you in the next chapter!