Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 23

KS looked at Haseena, her eyes piercing deep into her lowered eyes. She also trained her head around, her eyes catching on the chaos everywhere. A whiff of fire and ash caught her nostrils as KS's gaze landed on the floor, the blackened remnants littered around the floor. KS focused her eyes back on Haseena, her eyes scanning her. The bruised, swollen and puffed eyes. The red welts in her cheek. Her bleeding knuckles.

KS's heart almost cried out loudly, a wave of guilt crashing through her. She couldn't bear to see her best friend in such a state. She wanted to compose her, to wrap her in a tight hug and never let go but an invisible barrier stopped her. KS was consumed by her own rage and guilt. She was torn. It was her brother that had been Haseena's worst nightmare yet Anubhav had a reason. KS gripped the sheets tightly, her nails digging in deep as she wrestled with her own feelings. Should she confess the truth to haseena?

KS groaned in silence, her loyalties divided between her brother and her best friend. She knew that Haseena had every right to know the truth yet something stopped her. Despite everything, Anubhav was her brother. Her heart let out a hollow laugh- a feeling of emptiness spreading throughout. Will Haseena ever forgive her? She wondered. She doesn't want to betray Anubhav, but is it worth keeping his secret if it means hurting Haseena?

Finally, KS broke the pin-drop silence and called out to her.

"Madam Sir...." She said, her voice a soft purr in the stillness of the night.

Haseena looked up smiling at KS as she extended her hand and wrapped it around Haseena. A brief nod of understanding passed between them, more than a thousand spoken words as the silence stretched into a comfortable familiarity.

The pair rose and enveloped one another, their hands wrapping around tightly. Haseena rested her face on KS's shoulders, her tears falling away freely. KS held her, continuously stroking her hair, giving Haseena the space to release her emotions. After a while, they broke the hug and Haseena wiped her tears. KS still held her hand, her touch a warm reminder of love.

"Madam Sir, I am deeply ashamed of what my brother did...." She said, lowering her eyes.

Haseena lightly tapped her knuckles, her gaze softening. "KS...."

She nodded her head interrupting her. "Madam Sir, there's something that I have to tell you."

Haseena nodded, her heart beating in anticipation. What now, she thought.

KS took a deep breath mustering all her courage as she faced Haseena to confess.

"Madam Sir....I met Anu Bhaiya just as he was preparing to leave. I raised my gun, yelling at him to confess and what he said....." she broke down, a pile of fresh tears leaving her eyes. "Madam Sir, he had to go on a mission, a very dangerous one. He left you because he was afraid that he would lose you. His very life was at stake and he didn't want you to become affected."

KS stopped, bowing her head down.

Haseena jerked KS's hand away as she rose from the bed, pulling her hands around her head. She was overwhelmed. She lost control. Her emotions battled to the surface, rage and frustration boiling her alive.

Anubhav, if you truly loved me you would have trusted me. You would have left me to make my own decisions but no as always, you decided what is right for both of us. How could you Anubhav? Isn't it enough that you played with my emotions once? Haseena paced around the room, her balled fists clenched at her side, desperately keeping her emotions in check. She stopped at a random corner and stood facing the wall.

She chuckled, a low sadistic growl. Duty first, isn't it Anubhav, she thought. I respect your decision as a police officer but as Haseena, I will never forgive you. I gave too much of my life to you and now it's time to take my power back. Didn't I tell you that day Anubhav, that my love isn't greater than my self-respect? That is what you played with and that is what I'm claiming back.

Haseena stared at her reflection in the mirror, her tear-stained cheeks a reminder of her unspoken emotions. Despite her unwavering determination, her heart fluttered, a growing tension gripping her. She clenched her fists, breathing heavily all the while glancing at KS. The silence between them stretched, a lingering uncomfortability that lingered around the room.

Haseena suddenly felt a pair of hands grab her from behind. She tensed yet she relaxed as the warmth radiated through her body, acting in contrast with the coldness that now gripped her heart. KS hugged her tightly, resting her face on Haseena's back. Haseena's shoulder relaxed, the tension easing away, melting into KS's touch, grounding herself to the reality.

Haseena rose, composing herself, a steady unwavering gaze set in her eyes.

Haseena broke the hug and turned towards KS, her face growing with concern. "Madam Sir, I'm sorry I should have told you the truth earlier..."

Haseena cupped her face in her hands. "KS, there's nothing to apologize for and the truth doesn't change anything. Anubhav left me and now it's my turn to make a decision."

Sniffling, KS looked at her, Haseena's steely gaze burning her. "What decision Madam Sir?"

Haseena smiled through the wreckage, her iconic dimpled smile returning.

"To claim back my life, KS. To start a new chapter away from all the pain and heartache. It's time that I made my decisions for myself."

KS smiled, her heart beaming with pride as she watched Haseena rise with renewed vigor and determination. Haseena turned and held KS's shoulders.

"KS, I need you with me in this journey. Not SI KS but my best friend and my strength, KS."

KS smiled nodding positively at her. "MS, I'll be here for you. That's KS's promise."

The two friends embraced again, the pain and the aches of the past falling away with their strengthened bond.

Haseena knew that her journey wouldn't be easy. It would be a trial of fire but she was ready to welcome a new change in her life, especially with KS by her side.

The MPT team arrived, all checking in on Haseena. Puspha Ji rushed forward and kissed Haseena's forehead, her tears dampening Haseena's cheeks.

"I'm proud of you Haseena" she said as she stepped back.

SS and CC side hugged her, their brother sister bond shining through the unspoken words.

"Madam Sir, we are all one family and we'll always be with you" they chorused as one as they engulfed in a bone-crushing hug.

The team sat down as the night broke away into the rosy hues of morning, seated on the bed, digging into the leftovers. They talked and laughed, their love shining through, settling around Haseena as a protective fence.

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***@tasnia_samawat-  As requested the recreation of the sagai episode.***