Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 11

And I will be there to anchor you,

In the tides of life where,

We'll always be one."

Unable to bear the rush of emotions, KS got up and rushed near Haseena, the pair embracing another in a deep bear hug. They crushed their bodies as they felt invigorated with their emotions that they tightened their holds. They were both crying. The team feeling left out jumped to join them as both Haseena and KS laughed. As they broke the hug, KS whispered to everyone, her eyes full of tears "Thank you....that meant a lot to me."

"Beta...you mean a lot to us" Puspha Ji said cupping her face.

They headed off to have dinner cooling their emotional standoffs by their jokes. CC and SS took the lead, their flirting rising to a whole new level. After having dinner, KS secretly whisked away leaving the mischievous banter of her team. She stood outside, looking at the night sky. She tucked her hands in her pockets and walked, her mind floating to the past.

She saw her father standing beside her as clear as day. KS had gone back to her childhood, to the day she lost her father. She had sworn off from celebrating her birthday but today after so many years, KS celebrated her birthday. She exhaled, feeling a load lifted from her shoulders. She stopped a few meters away and stood keeping her back to the wall. Unbeknownst to her, tears battled to the surface yet KS battled them in her defiant manner. She was engrossed in the moment that she didn't hear the footsteps.

"KS are you okay?" Haseena asked standing next to her.

KS sniffled and looked up. "Haan madam sir. I'm fine."

"KS, I'm sorry at what I said earlier. It was part of the plan but still I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."

"Aarey no madam sir, I'm not angry about that and besides what you said was true. I had to complete the files."

"Haan" she said joining KS near the wall. "But I shouldn't have said that especially....today."

KS was silent, her thoughts drifting away from the present. "I'm used to it madam sir", she wanted to say but she stopped herself.

Haseena fished a gift from her pocket and handed it to KS.

"KS, happy birthday again."

KS tore open the warping almost screaming in surprise as she saw a gold bracelet engraved with the initials KS. Her eyes glinted in happiness.

"Madam Sir....this...." she stammered.

"Haan KS, I had it made weeks earlier." She said looking at her grinning as a little kid. "KS do you forgive me?" she asked.

"Aarey madam sir, there's nothing to ask forgiveness for and this...." She said hugging it close to her heart. "I love this madam sir. Thank you."

Haseena edged forward and wrapped a hand around her shoulders.

"KS, can I ask you something?" she asked, almost hesitantly.

KS wore the bracelet on her hand displaying it proudly. "Of course madam sir."

"Why did you hide your birthday from us?"

Haseena's words threw KS off balance. She lowered her head staring deep at the pavement blocks. She felt suffocated, her heart jumping out of her ribcage. Her throat closed up as shards of glass clawed their way in.

"KS..." Haseena whispered keeping a hand on her shoulder.

"Just madam sir...." She said sniffling, her eyes still lowered.

"KS, you trust me don't you?" she asked tightening her grip on her shoulder.

"Haan."

"Then please tell me what the matter is..."

KS was silent contemplating whether to tell Haseena or not. KS was afraid that she'd be judged but she knew deep in her heart that her madam sir would understand her. She took a deep breath and started.

"Madam Sir.....when I celebrated my last birthday...I lost my father and after that I didn't have the courage to celebrate another birthday. It always reminded me of him and how he used to plan exclusive parties at home." She paused to take a breath and Haseena leaned closer. "Madam Sir....when he was alive, my birthday was always celebrated grandly. He would always decorate the entire house and he wouldn't stop until he was satisfied but after that....no one remembered my birthday...not my family nor my friends...and I thought that it was better not to....so that I could hide from the pain..."

"Karishma....." she said as she pulled her into a hug. KS let go of her façade, resting her head on Haseena's chest as tears flooded her face. Haseena cradled her head gently. "I know it's not easy to lose parent and I know that surviving without them is the worst but....we have to live KS and it's not good for us to hide ourselves and our pain. We should talk to someone, at least a close friend."

They broke the hug but Haseena's hands never left KS.

"Madam Sir....I don't have that many friends with whom I could share my life...so I thought it would be better if I stayed alone."

"KS...you have me now...and I'll never leave you."

"Madam Sir..." she said looking at her eyes. "Do you really want to be my friend?" she asked, doubts overflowing in her mind.

"Haan KS why wouldn't I? I know that our ideologies are different but I'm honored to have a friend like you...." She paused lifting KS's chin. "And...friends don't let their friends cry on their birthday so please..."

KS smiled, her face lighting up at Haseena's words. She held her hand as they walked back to the house. "Thank you madam sir" she whispered.

Haseena nodded and edged closer to her, their bond increasing with each step. Back at the house, KS and the team indulged in ice-cream and chocolates. They laughed, sharing jokes, stories and anecdotes of shared memories and their past. The house was filled with a laughter and joy that had been absent for many years- from the house and from KS's heart.

As the night winded down, KS felt herself relax. She let her walls crumble, her tough façade disappearing. She looked around the room and saw in everyone a family member, regaining a part of what she had lost. She knew that she could survive anything with such a family. She silently thanked her father for giving her the strength and courage to rise up. As KS joined the team's nonsensical banter, she knew that she had recovered herself back. That KS had healed her scars and had crawled back to the surface. She no longer felt alone; she had a family again—a family that celebrated her, scars and all. For the first time in years, KS felt truly whole.

***As requested @Haseenakarishma. Let me know if the story was what you expected. Enjoy reading!***

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