Madam Sirr 2

Chapter 36

36. Anubhav meets Ammi

The night had settled around the city of Lucknow, descending upon a veil of blackness shrouded in a misty cloud. The eerie silence was broken by an owl's call, its hoot echoing throughout the night.

Haseena drove, her hands tightening around the steering wheel, swerving around the lanes of traffic. She was silent, her eyes glaring at the road ahead completely ignoring the presence next to her. She stepped on the accelerator, her mind slumbering in a state of semi-consciousness, Anubhav's mere presence invigorating her senses.

Anubhav stiffened in the seat next to her, his hands resting on the window pane. He stole brief glances at Haseena, his eyes mellowing with concern. He huffed, his mind straggling to process the thoughts that stormed through him, his eyes bearing a stormy expression that could break at a moment's notice.

The pair drove restlessly into the night, their rapid breaths mirroring the tension as they awaited their fate. Anubhav was determined yet his heart throbbed with an unfamiliar uncertainty while Haseena faltered, her mind dancing between the past and the present, limp and stagnated.

The tires screeched to a halt crunching on the grains of sand as Haseena stopped the ignition. She glanced at Anubhav, his eyes betraying his confidence. She smiled and nodded at him curtly, a brief look of assurance before they headed inside. Haseena opened the door, Anubhav following suit behind her, his nostrils immediately catching the familiar scent, the scent which had been familiar to him, almost as his own home.

Haseena gently nudged his arm gesturing for him to take a seat while she retreated into the bedroom, giving ammi and Anubhav space to talk. Anubhav nodded lingering around the hall, inhaling the scent of jasmine that filtered through the Pooja room. He stopped, mere inches from the kitchen, his eyes catching a stray of difference that seemed to roam throughout the house.

Everything seemed familiar, the comfortability seeping through to his veins yet Anubhav sensed a distance, a gap that couldn't be bridged. He sighed, his confidence wavering as he sat down on the sofa, his weight pulling down on the plush cushions. He looked around again. Everything had been the same. Not a single change. Then why did he feel an air of indifference? He cursed himself, the weight of his actions bearing down heavily on him.

The slow slip of sandals awoke him to the present. He looked up, his hands clasped tightly in front of him as he saw her; ammi carrying a tea tray. She smiled at him, her smile a mere formality as she settled down, her eyes observing him as a hawk.

He gulped, mustering the courage to confess his feelings yet his words were swallowed up in his throat.

"Ammi...." He started, looking at her. He immediately withdrew his gaze, feeling the sharp cut of her eyes directly piercing him. "I...I don't even know from where I should start. I'm really ashamed of my actions, everything that caused you harm. I know that I don't deserve forgiveness ammi but...." He trailed off, the rush of tears choking his words.

"Anubhav..." Ammi called him, her voice, stern and firm. "Haseena explained that your actions were in the name of duty. Who am I to stop you from doing your duty?"

He grimaced, the sarcasm in her voice gripping him as a tight vice. He nodded, accepting all her blame.

"Ammi, I know that I fulfilled my duty but nothing-nothing can justify my actions. I hurt you and your daughter and for that I am extremely sorry. I know that I will never forgive myself but....ammi all I'm asking for is a chance for redemption."

Ammi looked at him, her maternal instincts betraying her sturdy heart. Despite her pain she couldn't see Anubhav breaking down. She gulped, mustering her courage as she kept her voice steady.