Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 15

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Back at the station, Babita Ji smirked as she saw every member massaging their sore muscles. KS limped into Haseena's cabin, the muscles stiffening in her legs.

"Jai hind madam sir" she said and almost shouted in pain.

Haseena smiled, a playful wink on her lips. "Aarey KS, Babita madam was right, you've really grown soft."

Haseena smiled as KS glared at her, her eyes fuming with anger. In the distance, they heard the sound of a siren, the approaching vehicle of the DSP. As they DSP directly strolled into Haseena's cabin, they both swiftly stood to attention wincing at the pain scrolling through their legs.

"Jai Hind Sir..." they both chorused in unison.

"Jai Hind Ms. Malik. Jai Hind KS."

An unmistakable tension hovered around the air as Haseena noted KS stiffening before her.

Anubhav looked at KS, his dark, guarded eyes lowering momentarily.

"KS, can I talk with you?"

KS looked at him, a rage of defiance cutting through.

"As the DSP or as my brother?" she asked.

Anubhav smiled. "As your brother."

KS looked at him, a momentarily smile arousing in her despite her anger.

"Let's go and have a tea" Anubhav said as he strolled outside with KS.

Haseena stood there wondering what it was about before settling down to her work. Her cabin was directly next to the tea stall and Haseena couldn't help but steal occasional glances at Anubhav and KS.

Anubhav ordered two glasses of chai and sat down with his sister, who had his head bowed low. She didn't raise her eyes to meet him as he offered her the tea.

Guilt flashed in Anubhav's eyes. He knew her sister was hurt. He knew that he'd hurt her by staying away from her. Since he got appointed as the DSP he couldn't talk with his sister. He came to rectify his mistake but he knew it wouldn't be easy.

He sipped his tea exhaling a silent breath, his eyes mellowed on KS.

"KS...." He called out.

She didn't look up but continued to drink the tea.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked.

"No no why would I be angry with you brother?" she asked, her voice laced with anger and sarcasm.

Anubhav laughed, a pleasant joy sparkling in his eyes. His sister was still the same.

He leaned forward and touched her arm. "Sister..." he called out, his voice a sing-song tune.

KS looked at him, her eyes mellowing at his voice, her mind wandering to the past, to their childhood.

"I'm sorry" he said finally. "I should have talked with you earlier."

KS knew she couldn't stay angry with her brother for long. She smiled, the anger in her dissolving. "No brother, that's fine. I know you were busy."

"That's no excuse" he said. He pulled out something from his pocket and handed it to her. KS looked at it almost choking with tears. It was a photo of them both in their childhood taken by their father. KS and Anubhav were dressed in their fancy attire, their faces covered in paint. It was Holi.

"Brother....where did you get this?" she asked, her hand tracing the photo.

"Before my transfer here I went back home."

KS nodded the words not escaping her lips. She was taken back to the past when she and her brother played Holi, applying paint on each other. She recalled how the day had always ended in them fighting and how their father would give them each a chocolate. She laughed, her heart skipping a beat.

"Do you forgive me now?" AS asked.

"Haan brother." She said placing the frame beside her chest. "Thank you."

He smiled sipping his tea. Through the window of her cabin, Haseena was slowly watching the events, curiosity seeping through her. This was not unnoticed by Anubhav.

"KS, your madam sir is keeping a close eye on us" he said watching her cabin.

KS glanced up and watched Haseena's cabin as Anubhav pulled his phone and called her.

Haseena's phone rang breaking her glance. Her heart jumped out at the name. Anubhav.

"Jai hind sir" she said her voice stammering.

"Ms. Malik, there's no need to peep through the window. You can join us."

"S...sir..."

"Come outside Ms. Malik."

She stood up cursing herself as she strolled to the tea stall. She greeted Anubhav and stood.

"Ms. Malik please have a seat."

She sat down next to KS who was still hugging the frame. Haseena looked at her, her eyes glassy as if she'd been crying.

"KS..." she said as she lightly tapped her arm. "Are you okay?"

KS looked at her. "Haan madam sir, I'm perfectly fine" she said.

"Ms. Malik you don't know how emotional KS is" he said. "KS did you ever tell Ms. Malik the Holi story?" he asked.

KS raised his eyebrows at Anubhav "Don't you dare" she warned.

Haseena raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I had no idea our bhaukhal queen was this emotional."

Anubhav casually sipped his tea whispering "Oh you have no idea Ms. Malik."

KS laughed sandwiched between her brother and her friend as they slipped anecdotes and stories, the tension lifting off to a camaraderie.

After a prolonged silence, Anubhav stood up, his boots crunching on the ground. He flicked his shades on, smiling warmly at them both.

"I'll take my leave then."

Haseena and KS saluted him.

"Ms., Malik I need the report of the team progress by Friday."

"Ji Sir. I will hand it to you."

Anubhav's eyes lingered on KS, their eyes mellowing into one another as he turned and left, his footsteps growing softer as he walked away. Karishma's breath hitched, but she quickly shook it off, her features hardening into the sharp, unyielding mask she always wore. Yet, as she glanced back at the door he had exited through, a faint trace of warmth lingered in her eyes, betraying the fortress she worked so hard to maintain.

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