Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

Chapter 29

"Madam Sir, you do know that a little speed won't kill you right?" she asked, a note of hesitancy in her voice.

"Haan KS but I want to reach the MPT station not the hospital..." she said as she continued driving at the same speed, annoying KS.

Seated behind Haseena, KS eyes trailed the moon closely, her mind whizzing away to the past. She recalled the early days of her relationship with Veyom who'd always insist on taking her out for a long drive. KS chuckled, almost laughing out loud as she realized that he too drove the bike as slow as a snail. Yet, with him KS didn't mind the speed. She needed him and his warmth and the stillness and proximity gave her what she yearned for. She closed her eyes, her body spiraling in shivers as she recalled his touch, his gaze and his eyes swooning with love.

Haseena turned off the ignition, parking the bike near the rear entrance of the station as she helped KS to get down. Haseena produced a silk black cloth gesturing for KS to put it on. Haseena met a pure defiance and adamancy in her eyes, strongly resisting to be blindfolded. Haseena glared at her, her SHO demeanor reducing KS's anger as she stepped forward and wrapped the blindfold around her eyes.

Haseena almost laughed as KS's pouted and curled lips came into view. She gently led KS inside, holding her by her hand. The street outside of MPT had been transformed into a visual beauty with wooden lamps hanging around the shop corners and garlands of jasmine descending from each lamp post. Small rangoli patterns of pink, red and yellow adorned the road at random intervals placed with small lamps, their wicks fluttering in the breeze.

The MPT team stood huddled to a side, dressed in festive attire awaiting the entrance of KS. To a side, Puspha Ji stood next to his son Lalla dressed fabulously in a matching red kurta. Haseena led KS to the decorations, her eyes still blindfolded. KS's ears picked up a faint hum of classical music, her nostrils flaring at the scent of dates and tamarind. She stopped, her steps pausing as her heart recognized a familiar scent; a strong perfumed odor wrapping around her senses. Patidev! Her heart recognized the scent instantly, a huge grin breaking out in her face.

She nervously pinched her fingers, realizing Haseena's plan. As Haseena slowly took off the blindfold, KS's eyes met with her mother-in-law, standing in front of her with a Pooja thali, lamp, a small silver chalni (sieve), a sieve adorned with tiny embellishments, and a kalash filled with water. She offered KS the tray, her eyes glistening with tears of pride and happiness. Puspha Ji gently cupped her face before moving away.

KS stood in the center, the Pooja thali in her hand as her eyes locked with him. He seemed to walk in deliberate slow arcs, his legs graciously extending on the ground. KS bit her lower lip, her eyes gleaming with a shy anticipation as she awaited his presence. Her legs turned to water, buckling under her weight as his full presence stood in front of her, his face flashing his signature smile. Veyom's heart stopped, skipping several beats as his eyes took in the figure of his wife dressed graciously in six yards of red. He clasped his hands tightly together, resisting the urge to hug KS amidst the gathered crowd.

He chuckled as KS's eyes moved downwards, her gaze filled with a silent apprehension and hope. The pair stood, their eyes locked in an intense shower of love and care as the world around them faded. Breaking the silence, SS chipped in, her trademark innocence shining through.

"Karishma madam, you need to start the rituals before the moon sets..."

Everyone around them laughed as KS glared at SS who hid behind Haseena's towering figure.

KS smiled at Veyom, her eyes trailing the moon's presence as Karishma held up the chalni, peering through the sieve at the moon, then turned to look at her husband through it, as tradition dictated. A sense of reverence and love shone in her eyes. Her husband, in return, lifted a silver goblet filled with water and brought it to her lips, breaking her fast with his own hands. The moment was intimate yet sacred, their bond deepened with every ritual performed. Murmurs of chanting filled the silent air as KS bent down to touch her husband's feet when he touched her shoulders and stopped her midair. His eyes spoke of a calm reassurance, a silent promise that spoke of a thousand unspoken emotions. He glanced at his wife, his eyes sparking of love and pride.

Puspha Ji strode near the couple, handing Veyom a small parcel as she took the Pooja thali from KS's hand. She knelt and took blessings from Puspha Ji as Veyom held her hands and placed a small box adorning with delicate gold bangles.

As the night wore on, they sat around the benches eating and laughing- sharing stories and memories under the glimmering moonlight. KS and Veyom stood a little farther from the gang enjoying an intimate privacy. Veyom held up a plate of dates, feeding KS with his own hands. A knot tightened in her stomach, the public display of affection reserving her shy nature. She clasped the bench with her hands, glancing at him through the corner of her eyes. Veyom leaned in, closing the gap between them as he hugged KS, drawing her closer towards him. KS gently laid her head on his shoulder, her eyes resting on the sliver of the moon.

Haseena stood in a corner, her eyes watching the happiness unfold. The breaking of Karvachauth fast took her back to her own childhood as she recalled her ammi breaking the fast with her abbu. She smiled through her tears, the nostalgic memories rising in her heart. She had packed a parcel of food to share with her mother at home.

Pushpa Ji strode near her with a plate of dates and dried fruits directly feeding Haseena with her own hands, unable to refuse her maternal love, Haseena took a small bite from her hand. The pair stood watching KS, their eyes gleaming with a soft adoration.

"She looks so happy..." Haseena commented.

"I've never seen her like this..."

"Haan madam sir, he has a way of bringing out the hidden KS...."

"So Puspha Ji..." she asked turning towards her. "Your Lalla's fate is not doomed now?"

"It still is madam sir...." Puspha Ji said with a resigned sigh. "But only sometimes..."

Haseena laughed. "Puspha Ji...app bhi na..."

"Madam Sir, she's my daughter.... I have the right to annoy her..."

"Haan Amma you only know how to annoy me..." a voice said from behind scaring them both.

Puspha Ji turned and left without a word as they two friends laughter echoed throughout the night. KS glanced at Haseena, opening her mouth to say something yet she stopped, not finding the right words.

"Madam Sir.... how did you......" she asked. Haseena turned and smiled at her warmly.

"KS you don't have to choose between your duty as a wife and an officer...I just reminded you of that."

"Thank you, madam sir," She edged closer, wrapping her hands around Haseena engulfing her in an impromptu hug. "I won't forget this forever madam sir..."

Haseena pulled her apart, holding KS by her shoulders. "I hope you never do KS because I'm hoping to stay single and live with you forever...." She said with a growing smirk.

"Madam Sir.... then we'll both be thrown out of the house...."

They laughed, genuinely relieving them of their daily stresses. The night lingered on with the echoes of laughter amongst friends and family, leaving behind an eternal mark of friendship and love.

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