Part-6

476 49 5
                                    

Next morning :

As the morning sun streamed gently through the windows, casting a warm glow across Ammi’s room, Haseena slowly stirred. She took a deep breath, letting the soft light wash over her, and felt an unfamiliar yet soothing sense of peace settle within. For the first time in what felt like ages, she didn’t wake up with the weight of her burdens pressing down on her. Instead, she felt a newfound strength and a quiet determination.

Haseena opened her eyes, feeling the warmth of the moment settled in her heart. It filled her with a surge of courage, grounding her in the reminder of why she was fighting and who she was protecting. The road ahead would be littered with challenges and doubts, but she was prepared to face them. No matter how difficult the mission became, she would see it through to the end.

Gently, Haseena slipped out of bed and quietly walked to her room, taking a moment to gather herself. After getting ready, she stood before the mirror, her reflection showing a renewed determination in her eyes. Her heart was steady, her resolve stronger than ever, and a newfound sukoon settled within her a rare peace that seemed to light a path forward.

As Haseena stepped into the dining area, she saw Ammi had already set out breakfast. Haseena approached her, a soft smile on her face. “Good morning, Ammi jaan,” she greeted, settling into her seat. She glanced at the table and, spotting her favorite dish, her eyes lit up. “Wah, Ammi! Shahi paneer!" she exclaimed with delight, diving in happily.

Ammi watched her in silence, her gaze soft yet thoughtful. Noticing, Haseena looked up, a bit puzzled. “Kya Ammi, aise kyun dekh rahi hain humme?” she asked with a faint chuckle.

Ammi, her tone distant but calm, replied, “Kuch nahi, bass aise… tum khana khao beta.”

Shrugging it off, Haseena returned to her meal, savoring each bite. “Hmmm… kitne dino baad aapke haathon ka khana mil raha hai, Ammi,” she murmured, enjoying the flavors.

Ammi’s gaze grew slightly suspicious, noticing the small slip. Haseena quickly corrected herself, “Humara matlab ki… merko mera Amma yaad aayi,” she added, giving a faint smile to ease the moment.

Ammi’s expression softened, though a hint of doubt lingered in her eyes as she watched Haseena closely. After a moment of silence, she finally asked, “Tum ek baat batao, beta?”

Haseena, focused on her meal, nodded, urging Ammi to continue.

“Karishma aur baaki log tumhe S.H.O Haseena ki tarah train kar rahe hain, na he humari beti Haseena ki tarah?”

Haseena froze mid-bite, a mix of surprise and unease flashing across her face. She looked up, meeting Ammi’s gaze. Ammi pressed on gently, “Nahi, tum subha se bilkul waise hi behave kar rahi ho, jaise humari beti Haseena karti thi. Isliye pooch rahi hoon… kya tumhe S.H.O Haseena ki tarah tayar kar rahe hain? Ya phir tum hamari beti Haseena tarah ho?”

Words failed Haseena. She fumbled, unsure of how to respond, but before she could gather herself, a car horn sounded outside. Taking it as her cue, she quickly rose to her feet, glancing at Ammi with a faint, grateful smile. “Ammi… main chali jaati hoon. Aap apna khayal rakhiyega.”with that, she slipped out the door, leaving Ammi gazing thoughtfully after her.Ammi’s gaze lingered on Haseena’s retreating figure.

As Haseena stepped outside, she took a deep breath, her mind lingered on Ammi’s words. The question echoed in her thoughts, filling her with both fear and longing. No matter how much she tried to bury her true self for the sake of the mission, Ammi’s love and intuition always seemed to touch the parts of her that she tried so hard to hide.

Two days had passed with Haseena being cautious around Ammi, trying hard not to let her guard slip. Today, since there were no urgent cases at the station, she returned home earlier than usual. Upon entering, she looked around but couldn’t find Ammi anywhere. She assumed Ammi might have gone nearby.

Just then, her secret phone vibrated. She picked it up and answered in a professional tone, “Jai Hind, Sir.”

On the other end, Bakshi replied, “Jai Hind, Miss Malik. What’s the status of the mission? Is everything on track?”

“Yes, Sir. Everything is going as per the plan.”

“Good, aur tum par kisi ko shak toh nahi hai na? Tum Urmila ho, Haseena nahi?”

“Nahi Sir, abhi bhi sab log yehi yakeen karte hain ke hum Urmila hain, Haseena nahi.”

“Very good, Miss Malik. Intelligence department ke paas kuch nayi khabar aayi hai shayad yeh us traitor se judi ho sakti hai. Kal is par baat karenge.”

“Ji, Sir.”

“Apna natak continues rakho, Miss Malik. Jai Hind.”

“Ji sir,Jai Hind, Sir,” Haseena replied, ending the call.

As she took a deep breath, preparing to put her phone away, she turned around and froze. Ammi was standing right in front of her, her face a mixture of shock and confusion.
As she took a deep breath, preparing to put her phone away, Haseena turned around and froze. Ammi was standing right in front of her, her face a mixture of shock and confusion.

“Ammi, aap kab aayi?” Haseena fumbled, trying to regain her composure.

“Bas abhi, beta. Tum abhi thaane mein kaam jaldi kam hai kya?” Ammi questioned, her voice laced with concern.

“Ji, ji Ammi. Thaane mein kaam jaldi hogaya. Ammi, hum fresh ho kar aati hain,” Haseena replied, attempting to deflect the tension.

“Theek hai, beta,” Ammi said, but as Haseena took a few steps to leave, she felt herself rooted to the spot when Ammi added, “Aur jab tak tum ye natak karte rahoge?, Haseena…”

Haseena froze in place.

Ammi stepped closer to Haseena, her eyes searching for the truth. In a stern tone, she asked, "Aur jab tum mission ke liye aur tumhare farz ke liye apni Ammi se jhoot bolna seekh gayi, Haseena ya Urmila, batao?”

Haseena's eyes widened in shock, and with a shaky voice, she replied, “Ammi, aapko kaise pata?”

Ammi chuckled blankly, “Kya socha tumne, ke tum apni Ammi se jhoot bol sakti ho? Tumhara jhoot duniya ko to yakeen dilwa sakta hai, par tumhari Ammi ko nahi. Us din se mujhe pata chal gaya tha ke tum Urmila nahi, balki Haseena ho, aur tum kis liye ye natak kar rahi ho.”

With tears brimming in her eyes, Ammi again asked, “Kya ye sab Haseena? Kyu kiya ye sab?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Haseena hugged her Ammi tightly. “Ammi...” she cried vigorously as the weight of her choices crashed down around her.

“Ammi, humne maaf kariye ammi. Main aapse jhoot bol diya aur humara jhoot ka bojh aap aur baaki logon par bhi kitna bhaari padega, Ammi. Humne maaf keejiye ammi,” she sobbed, her heart aching with guilt and regret.


Continue....
By:-ZJ

Jab Duty meets LOVE 💕Where stories live. Discover now