Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 15

A shrill clap of a whistle broke the silence of the dawn. Their eyelids dropped in drowsiness but no one dared to show it outright. As another whistle pierced the silence, they stood to attention, all sleep but evaporated.

"Are you ready?" BJ asked.

"Yes madam" they chorused in unity.

Another whistle as she yelled "Start with ten laps around the ground."

A collective groan emerged as the group started running, their boots squelching on the wet grass. CC and SS were complaining in protest in faint whispers, clearly audible to the group. KS and HS ran ahead, a stoic determination gleaming in their faces despite the pain that broke through. As their laps ceased, the bent down, holding their knees for support, exhaustion creeping in.

Another blow. "Twenty sit ups- now!"

They dropped to the ground, their legs trembling in strain. KS edged closer to Haseena almost whispering "Madam Sir...this is getting harder..."

"Haan KS, I know..."

Another whistle broke their conversation as they saw their mentor stepping towards them. KS and HM stopped in mid-air, their faces, pale as a ghosts.

"Talking already madam?" she asked, her expressions firm and stern. "Fifteen more for you both."

They immediately dropped to the ground resuming the drills, their muscles screaming in protest.

Meanwhile, she saw through the corner of her eyes that both CC and SS had fallen down to the ground. Haseena nudged KS and they both watched in horror knowing well the outcome.

"CC and SS get up now!" she barked.

"Madam please five minutes" CC pleaded.

Babita Ji's expression hardened. "If you're not up in five seconds, the whole team gets an extra hour!"

The threat worked like magic. Both officers scrambled to their feet, their groans stifled. Babita Ji didn't let them off easily.

"Twenty sit-ups. Now. And then resume your positions!"

Cheetah and Santosh exchanged defeated looks before complying, their movements sluggish but urgent. Karishma and Haseena exchanged a glance, their shared exasperation evident.

"Madam Sir....I'm really starting to feel like we are back at the academy again."

"Haan KS, this was daily routine back then."

Both smiled savoring their nostalgic past as they continued their sit-ups when Babita Ji stood towering over them.

They froze for the second time, guilt written all over their faces.

"I told you not to talk!" she glared at the two still frozen in mid-air. "Plank- 15 minutes."

They immediately dropped to the ground holding their position, their hands straining with each passing second.

By the time the session ended, two grueling hours later, each officer fell down on the grass, exhaustion claiming them. Their limbs felt heavy as lead, the cool breeze burning their sweat clamored bodies. Babita Ji stood before them, completely unbothered by the exertion. She handed out bottles of juice, her tone lighter but still firm.

As they sat together on the bench, Babita Ji edged closer saying "Madam, you've both softened since the academy."

"Madam, we completed the session without any complaints" Haseena groaned.

"Haan but you would have completed it twice as faster back at the academy."

They both smiled as they cherished the warmth of their motherly mentor, the pain in their limbs screaming as they reveled in nostalgia.