DASTAN

8. KINDNESS

EVENING
MALIK MANSION

Zubeda was sitting on the plush L-shaped sofa, visibly tired from a long day of work. She took a slow sip from her glass of water, her movements deliberate and weary. After a moment, she placed the empty glass back on the tray held by the servant standing beside her.

"Anything else, ma'am?" the servant asked, " No" she shook her head. And the servant left.

Zubeda leaned back into the couch, closing her eyes for a moment to gather herself.

The sound of the footsteps drew her attention, she opened her eyes just as her daughter, Haseena Malik, walked in and she was placing her baton and cap on the table before.

"Good evening, Ammi," Haseena greeted warmly, with a genuine smile across her face.

Zubeda's tired expression melted into a smile as she saw her daughter. She remained seated, her arms opening wide in welcome. Haseena moved closer, bending slightly as she wrapped her arms around her mother in a tender embrace.

With a smile etched across zubeda's face she gently ruffled Haseena's hair affectionately and planted a gentle kiss on her daughter's head.

"How was your day ammi" asked haseena still enveloped in the comforting embrace.

"It was busy and tiring as always," Zubeda replied with a gentle smile, "but seeing you, my dear, makes all the fatigue fade away."

Releasing Haseena from the embrace, Zubeda pointed towards the side as a servant approached with a glass of refreshing mango juice. "Take your juice, it's here," she said.

With a grateful smile, Haseena accepted the glass from the servant. "Thank you," she said softly and settled onto the adjacent section of the L-shaped sofa.

"Ammi! I am really sorry about barging in like that," apologized Haseena with a hint of remorse in her voice.

"Hmm," Zubeda hummed gently, leaning forward to meet her daughter's eyes. "Hasu, it should be the first and last time, beta," she warned, her expression soft yet firm, conveying both understanding and expectation.

Haseena nodded, her eyes reflecting both contrition and determination. "I promise, Ammi it won't happen again," she replied earnestly, her voice tinged with sincerity.

"It's alright beta" zubeda nodded with a smile.

"Ammi," called Hasu, to which Zubeda looked at her daughter, anticipating her next words. Before Haseena could begin, Zubeda intervened, her tone firm yet gentle. "If it's regarding Karishma's suspension, then please, Hasu, I don't want to hear a word."

"Ammi but....." Again zubeda intervened "hasu please, We already spoke about it and I know what Iam doing, I cannot just let it go without any action, even I have to answer to the higher authorities"

"Ammi I understand but six months are too harsh" frowned haseena , her voice tinged with concern.

Zubeda closed her eyes briefly, letting out a sigh, and rubbed her temples as if trying to alleviate an impending headache. Then she raised her hand towards Haseena, her index finger pointing upwards in a commanding yet graceful motion. With a subtle gesture, she signaled for Haseena to stand, her expression conveying a mix of seriousness and determination.

With a perplexed expression, Haseena stood up, her gaze fixed on her mother, trying to comprehend the unexpected command. "Drop," Zubeda said firmly.

"Jii?" Haseena replied, in disbelief, her confusion evident in her tone.

"You heard me right, Hasu. Drop to the ground, on your elbows and toes," Zubeda reiterated.

Still perplexed by her mother's command, Haseena looked at Zubeda with furrowed brows, trying to comprehend the instruction.