Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 15

She gulped, her throat parched in a raw dust. She balled her fists to remain calm.

"I understand sir" she stammered.

Just as she was about to leave, Anubhav held a sheaf of letters. "This is your teams' annual health report. None of you are up to standard. The officer will also oversee training sessions to maintain your health."

Haseena raised her foot stomping it down hard that the pain rang through her leg, the vibrations echoing of the war raging in her mind. Haseena winced. Two complaints in one day. She stepped forward taking the letters from Anubhav, his eyes dragging across her heart painfully.

Haseena saluted him and left, her hurt crumbling to dust as she walked away, the letters, a burning pyre in her hand.

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Haseena arrived at the station, her eyes an unmistakable shade of crimson. The members stood up, their hearts beating in synchronized unity knowing the dire weight of Haseena's stern gaze.

The members lined up in front of her while Haseena set her gaze on each member, deep, piercing and unfaltering. She crossed her arms across her chest ensuring a ling breath of silence before she began.

"The drama in this station has to stop" she announced, her voice an indication that she'd not allow any arguments. "There has to be law and order. I'm responsible for everything." She glared at them again.

KS felt as if every bone in her body was burning. She knew that whatever happened in the morning was absolutely wrong and that Haseena must have been scolded by the DSP. She wanted to voice her concerns and promise that she'd ensure the discipline but the look of Haseena, something KS had never seen before stopped her.

Haseena dragged a chair and sat down rubbing her forehead, frustration gnawing at her nerves.

"Madam Sir..." Pushpa Ji began stepping forward.

Haseena held up a hand indicating her to stop. "PJ, please stop. Not now"

Haseena knew that she had no other choice. She had to implement tough procedures. The behavior of her team reflected on her leadership. Haseena rubbed her forehead, a nagging worry in her reminding of the investigative officer. Her reverie was broken by a voice. It was familiar but how could it be, she wondered as she looked up.

Haseena's eyes fell to a familiar figure standing in front of her, her uniform crisp and neat. The very presence of her intimidating and authoritative. Haseena immediately stood up, her blood turning to ice as her mind wandered around one name. Babita Sarkar.

"Jai Hind madam sir" Babita Ji saluted her.

Next to her, she sensed KS getting tensed as they both jumped forward and saluted her.

"Jai Hind madam" both chorused in unity as the rest of the team fell into rhythm.

She stepped forward and handed a letter to Haseena, an official letter.

"Madam Sir, DSP sir sent me. To investigate the discipline in this thane." Her voice as cold as ice.

KS and HM gulped well aware of the frost in her voice. Standing in front of them was their trainer, the strictest trainer in the academy, Babita Sarkar.

Haseena felt the icy glare of her mentor pierce deep into her. She kept her hands behind her back as she bowed her head down.

"Haseena madam....there is an immediate need to maintain discipline in your station. This is not what I expected from you. And Karishma madam you too."

HM looked up, the weight of unshed tears stinging her eyes, the words penetrating deep through her. She looked at her mentor, half expecting her to rush towards her and envelop her in a hug.