Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 20

Strengthened by Duty

KS stood in front of the mirror clad in her cadet uniform, neatly pressed and ironed. She stared at her reflection, her mind wandering towards different aisles.

As she stared at her reflection, she felt a swelling of pride at her journey. KS remembered her first day at the academy where she was just a cadet with a purpose, but today as she stood in front of the mirror KS was a police officer. She had achieved not only her dream but also her father's. She closed her eyes as she recalled her father and the strength he imparted on her. KS sighed, a wistfulness drawing on her, a deep longing in her heart. She knew that he'd be proud of her. KS looked at her reflection once more, nodding at her, a brief curt nod acknowledging her journey as she culminated the end today.

"Karu....let's go" Aryan shouted from the hall.

KS smiled as she donned her cap and left with her friends who had become her family during their time at the academy. On their way to the hall they passed the training ground and KS's bloated with tears as she recalled the countless hours she spent on the grounds; training, fighting and of course for punishments. She smiled again as she ran her friends almost leaving her.

The auditorium was adorned with banners and flags, a picture of grandeur befitting the occasion. Family members of the cadets filled the seats, their faces beaming with pride. Babita Ji, along with the other commanding officers, sat on the stage in their ceremonial uniforms, their expressions a mixture of pride and solemnity.

The cadets of batch 11 stood at attention, their hearts in anticipation waiting to be called. After what seemed as an eternity, the head officer stood up on the stage.

"And now, it's time to award the badges and certificates for batch 11" he said, his voice booming off the stage, arousing a restless troupe of cadets.

One by one, the cadets filed on to the stage followed by the sound of the trumpet as they received their honors. As KS's name was called out, she felt as if the entire world had frozen. She stilled her pace and walked towards the steps while her heart thumped in excitement. She stood before Babita madam and saluted her, her gaze lingering on hers as Babita madam nodded and smiled at her. KS was awarded the best cadet trophy from the head officer himself.

"Cadet KS congratulations" he said, his face beaming with pride. "You've earned this."

KS placed the trophy on the tray and saluted her senior officers. "Thank you sir. Thank you madam" she said as she descended the steps, her face adorned with a rare smile.

As the ceremony winded down, KS rushed near the rows of spectators, eagerly waiting to see that someone special. She heard the sound of boots thudding on the ground and saw the unmistakable shade of a khaki uniform. She saw her brother, Anu.

KS barely restrained herself from rushing and hugging her brother since she had to obey official protocols. Anubhav stepped towards her, his face a palette of unspoken emotion. He stopped inches from her as he saluted her. KS felt wobbly as if her legs buckled under the weight. She composed herself and saluted him back, her eyes never leaving her brother.

"Officer KS congratulations" he said, his husky voice full of pride. "I'm proud of you."

KS beamed from head to toe. She nodded at him, the tears daring to rush out. She saluted him again ignoring the calamity of her heart. "Thank you sir."

KS looked at her brother, his uniform echoing of the dream they had shared. She recalled the countless sleepless night they had spent, the grueling hours of training and the excruciating punishments- all of which KS endured that led to this final moment. Her dream of becoming a police officer. KS internally reveled at her brother's salute which wasn't a mere salute for her but an acknowledgement of her journey- of all her triumphs and trials.