Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 9

"Ms. Malik" he called.

His voice sounded firm and professional. Haseena willed herself to remain calm as his words dragged a dagger through her heart.

"Please take a seat" he said extending his hand.

"No thank you sir."

Anubhav sighed and got up from his chair, leaning against the table, his hands across his chest.

"How are you Ms. Malik?" he asked, his voice carrying the hint of concern swaying Haseena's heart yet again.

"I'm fine sir."

Haseena was determined not to give in to his voice. She didn't want Anubhav to have any more power over her than that he already had. She would reply to his questions. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Anubhav stared at her intently, a crease forming on his forehead. He could see that Haseena was lying. She was not fine. She looked a downright mess. He couldn't imagine as to why seeing her made her heart flutter in anguish. He was lost for words, his mind replaying the actions of what he did. His betrayal. His deceit.

"Ms. Malik...I know that what I did to you is unforgivable...." He said, each of his words dragging painfully across Haseena's heart reopening old wounds. "I'm sorry Ms. Malik for what I put you through...."

Haseena gritted her teeth balling her fists to remain calm. "Sir, why do you need to say sorry? You are my senior sir." Her voice came out harsher than she intended to.

Anubhav smirked, a look of annoyance and hurt. "Ms. Malik, I can very well understand your sarcasm." He stopped drawing a large breath. "For what I did, I'll never be able to forgive myself, Haseena Ji."

Time stopped as Anubhav said her name, Haseena's heart desperately leaping out of its guard. She had to fight to stay back, to stay in control. His words triggered the past in her awakening a cloud of dust within her mind.

"That's okay sir...you were doing your duty" Haseena said at last.

Anubhav looked at Haseena, his gaze piercing deep into hers. He wanted her to let down her guard with him. Haseena's words tormented Anubhav, more than he'd let on. He knew that she'd never trust him again and that shattered Anubhav. Anubhav knew what he did to her and he knew that he would be punished for it all his life. Every time, he looked into Haseena's eyes, a flash of pain flickered in his eyes. He was reminded of the life he lost and the man that he could never be.

"Haan Haseena Ji, I did my duty....but I failed you..." his voice teetered on the edge.

Haseena could take no more of this, the chords of her heart drawing back with each word. His silence amplified the hurt in her heart, the floodgates bursting to open. Haseena swum to the past, drowning in the promise of eternity that he had made to her. A lone tear escaped her eyes. She quickly blinked her eyes, swallowing with force the rush of tears. She had no words to answer him back.

Silence enveloped the cabin as the time around them froze. The fan had seemingly stooped working brewing the hotness around them. Haseena fidgeted constantly, straining her arms to the extent that she almost winced in pain. Anubhav hid his hands in his pockets, digging his nails deep, piercing the flesh. Both stood still, rooted in the past punishing themselves. The silence grew as did their unease.

"Sir....." Haseena started after a long pause. "Can I go?" she asked, almost pleading with him.

Anubhav's legs gave way beneath him. He wanted to be in the presence of Haseena continuously seeking her forgiveness. But Anubhav knew that forgiveness was impossible. He had committed a crime, one that was unpardonable and irreversible. He cleared his throat.