Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 17

A silence issued as the two locked their eyes, an unspoken emotion sparking their connection.

Anubhav called Babita Ji back inside, his heart warming with pride as he stood before his mentor. He looked at Haseena, his gaze lingering on her before he turned towards Babita Ji.

"Babita madam..." he began. "The entire department is proud to have trainers like you madam and..." he paused straightening himself. "I feel extremely proud to have trained under you. Thank you madam." He said.

Both Haseena and Anubhav saluted her "Jai Hind madam."

"Jai Hind Sir. Jai Hind madam sir."

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As Haseena drove back to the MPT she stood silent, her mind churning over her mentor's departure. She kept staring at the road exhaling deep breaths constantly clenching her jaw.

"Haseena madam stop the vehicle" Babita Ji said suddenly.

Haseena looked at her momentarily confused. "Madam...?"

"Stop the vehicle Haseena." Her voice was direct and sharp.

Haseena parked the vehicle and looked at Babita Ji.

"What's the matter madam sir?" she asked, her words cutting through Haseena's defenses.

She sighed her gaze averting Babita Ji. "Madam.....I was just thinking...about you..."

"Me?"

"Haan madam. It felt good to have you back....even if you punished us" Haseena said with a brief side glance at her immediately correcting herself as she saw Babita Ji's glare. "I mean enforcing the discipline and now....you are leaving madam..." her voice trembled despite her best efforts to maintain order.

"Haseena madam...I have to go. I'm needed back at the academy."

"Haan madam I know but...."

"Haseena madam" she turned keeping a hand on her shoulder. "It was good to see my students even if it was for a few days." She tightened her hand allowing Haseena to feel her presence. "Madam, I've witnessed you develop into an extremely talented and capable officer. I'm very proud of you Haseena. I know that you will continue doing your duty with or without me Haseena."

Haseena melted into her embrace, the words sinking in. She stood with her chin resting on Babita Ji's shoulders before she arose, a new determination flickering across her eyes.

"Thank you madam for everything..."

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An excited frenzy bubbled at MPT with each member running to and fro decorating the station. As they worked, the environment bustled with a radiant energy topped with the distinct aroma of the flower garlands.

KS supervised the work feeling herself subduing into the chains of a bittersweet nostalgia. She looked around, their station roaring alive with the colors of Mother India, the best tribute for a trainer such as Babita Ji. The melancholy hovering in the air was only silenced by the nuanced aromas swiftly spreading throughout the room starting from the feast prepared by Puspha Ji.

KS glanced around, her head swiveling around the station, eyeing each and every corner. Unbeknownst to her, she slips to the past where she kneels before Babita madam at the academy grounds. How could she withstand the departure from her mentor twice? KS knew that the past two weeks was grueling yet it also stood as a reminder of her connection with Babita Ji, a connection that KS didn't want to be severed. As she looked around the station, the finishing touches coming to a halt, she sang of bittersweet reprieve, her heart clutching to the memories, a remnant of Babita Ji. She awoke to the present as a hand touched her shoulders and saw Puspha Ji next to her.