Transcend

Chapter 1: One Thousand And One

The shoreline of this station had become a figment as if it was wiped away during spring cleaning. Maybe it evaporated in the heat of warnings, arguments and hopelessness.

Perhaps that is what happens when one remains fearful of change. They let it consume them whole, only to be left adrift at sea- the waves move freely, gathering an unfathomable pace of destruction that is to come. Following the winds that come to bring some sort of grounding sensation of physical contact - a touch from the angels, a warm greeting from nature and a soft goodbye from familiarity.

Constable Santosh Sharma has one thousand and one days moments worth remembering, one thousand and one new things discovered, one thousand and one vicissitudes, one thousand and one days spent at the Mahila police thana and with its occupants.

A setting sun is envious of a raising moon because it is in companionship with the stars, a million uncountable stars- with countless possibilities for career advancement.

A sinking moon is envious of a rising sun because it comes with a new beginning, a hopeful new beginning- saving the station from being shut down.

So what should I choose? A sinking sun, or a sinking moon? Because either way someone is going to lose.

Disconcerted, she watches the broken tap drip water into the cup. One thousand and one days have passed and yet not a single plumber has been able to fix it. Perhaps, this bedraggled apartment is the one thing she will be more than delighted to leave behind.

1 drop.

2 drops.

3 drops.

Two hundred and thirty-seven drops later the shabby plastic cup is filled to its brim. The utensil managed to decide how many drops of water it could contain before letting the rest unfortunate ones crumple into the sink beneath it, knowing it was too much of an ask to hold more than it could.

What is my capacity?

Before the two hundred and thirty-eighth drop could fall, a scream, low from her throat made its way past her lips. The thought of transferring- leaving everything she ever grew to love behind- doesn't sit well with her.

The change was tough but it's the rule of life. Nothing is permanent- not even peace. Peace isn't the presence of happiness. It's the absence of sadness.

Sadness- it skated over her pale skin. just when she thought she had filtered enough to keep what was pure and that the dirt was out the gates, it drained her, leaving an emptiness save for the anxiety.

Somehow the idea of death because a little less bleak because death is like an older brother- annoying but welcomed in the face of melancholy.

Death is not an option, never was and never will be.

Her anti-depressants, however, were always a viable option.

---One Thousand And One Days---

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Station House Officer Haseena Malik asked, an unfamiliar strain in her otherwise calm tone as she struggles to keep it even.

Santosh Sharma stares, mouth slightly agape, wondering if she had found out the secret she desperately tried to keep. It's too early. Too fast. I am not ready.

She takes a second to gauge Haseena's posture- back straight and hands out of sight- before she formulates a response. "N-no madam sir." she lies through her teeth but the stammer gave it away.

Haseena gives a curt nod. "It would have been better if you said it yourself," the station head brought her hand out ever so slowly in between them. "Your transfer orders."

Santosh drops her gaze to the papers and manages to spare a fleeting glance at Haseena. Keeping her sight on the piece of paper she waited for the chastisement to follow this revelation.

Instead, Haseena grew teary-eyed and apologised. "I know this is all my fault. I failed. I failed my own team..."

That admission made the cyber expert snap to attention, a reassurance falling from her lips as if on autopilot. "No, no, Madam sir. You can never fail. You have never failed. You are the best boss. You are the best leader and..." she trialled off, voicelessly moving her lips trying to think past the threads of sadness that wrapped around her mind.

"I am sorry," the senior shook her head. "I am very sorry. I- I am under a lot of pressure. All of this is very difficult. I couldn't say it to anyone."

After one thousand and one days, Haseena confides in someone other than head constable Pushpa Singh. After one thousand and one days she breaks under the burden of saving the station from closure time and again. After one thousand and one days, she admits that this isn't easy- it never was.

Santosh briefly wonders if it's too little too late. There wasn't a point in strengthening the attachment she had formed. It would only make her transfer all the more insufferable.

"Mujhse keh dijye. Ruk ja, Santu." she pleaded, hoping against hope that Haseena would stop the inevitable, that she would be able to fix this too. To her dismay, Haseena gave her a ghost of a weary smile, her lip barely twitching upwards.

"Toh ruk jaogi na tum. Isliye toh nahi keh rahe," she reached forward and placed her hands on Santosh's upper arms, beckoning her to keep eye contact. "Lekyn santosh tum jao. Go make your career. This is very important for future and growth." she said calmly. When the younger woman nodded, she continued. "You will be going somewhere better than here anyway," seeing the girl succumbing to her tears, she began running her thumb back and forth. "and always remember one thing. I am very proud of you and I always will b-be." The station house officer finally cracked, her own tears cascading down those rosy cheeks.

For a second, it looked like Santosh would throw herself into Haseena's arms and the latter stood ready to hold her forever and never let go.

Only she didn't.

The file in Santosh's hand clattered to the ground and she did the one thing she could, run.

"Santu! Wait!" Haseena shouted.

But the girl was already out the door, hand covering her mouth to stop the sobs from escaping.

She made a promise to Haseena and the team. She promised to always stand by them and bring the station back its pride and glory. She couldn't renege now. 

A/N: Don't forget to R&R!