Madam Sirr 2

Chapter 39

Whispers of Love

The ceiling fan buzzed, groaning in speed as its rusted blades spun around, dissolving the hot air inside the room. The cabin glowed with a soft hue, the sunlight streaking in through the blinds, illuminating an overflowed and messy desk littered with papers. Pushing down on the sofa, Anubhav sat with all his weight, his eyes fixed on his mobile. He was grinning, a toothy smile all over his face. He sank down in oblivion, staring at the picture in his hands, floating away into a dreamland, a dreamland of Haseena and his love.

It was the day of lovers, the Valentine's Day and Anubhav intended to confess his feelings to Haseena. His eyes glowed as she stared at her picture, her dimpled smile stuck in a corner of his heart. He propped his chin under his palm, his eyes bawling at her beauty, the overflowing elegance and simplicity. He kept his phone aside and stood up, pacing around his cabin, still smiling as a love-struck teenager. Anubhav had made the necessary arrangements, prepping everything with his love's ideals in mind though a fleeting hesitation flipped through his head. His betrayal and his actions had caused immense suffering to Haseena. Will Haseena accept his love, he wondered as he finalized his plans, his heart stuck between hope and despair.

Haseena had applied for a leave, locking herself inside her room processing her feelings for Anubhav. She sat on the edge of the bed hugging her pillow, her thoughts roaming around wildly. She closed her eyes, the darkness floating around as Anubhav stuck in a corner, lighting her whole body. She unconsciously traced his features, his perfect jawline, his toned curves and his silky lips. She smiled, her heart overflowing with an inexpressible emotion.

She stood up and opened the door, still absent-mindedly thinking about Anubhav. Ammi stared at her, acutely observing her daughter, her face lighting in happiness.

"Hasu..." she called waking Haseena from her slumbered state. Haseena blinked, a rosy hue spreading on her cheeks as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her head.

"Ammi...when did you come?" she asked.

Ammi laughed, smacking herself in the forehead. "When you were busy staring at open space."

She pushed Haseena and entered the room settling down on the bed. Haseena still confounded, her thoughts mingling with embarrassment joined her mother. She sat down on the floor and kept her head on her mother's knees.

"Hasu....is everything okay?" she asked slowly caressing her head.

"Haan Ammi everything's perfect. I'm just...." She trailed off unable to find the words.

Ammi sighed. "Hasu are you thinking about Anubhav?" she asked. Haseena lifted her head, staring directly at her mother.

"Ammi...h... how did you...?" she fumbled.

Ammi smiled playfully swatting her arm. "I'm your mother Hasu...I know you better than you know yourself." She gently lifted Haseena from her shoulders and made her sit next to her on the bed. "What are you thinking about him beta?" she asked.

Haseena looked down playing with her hands as she gathered her thoughts. "Ammi.... I want to give Anubhav a chance. He seems changed and he's trying a lot but......what if he betrays me again Ammi. I don't want to go through that pain again. I don't want to put you through that again...." Tears streaked down her face, her eyes bawling out her unspoken emotions.

"Hasu, do you love him?" "I...never stopped loving him Ammi..." Ammi smiled, turning her daughter's face towards her. She wiped her eyes with a corner of her dupatta. 

"Hasu, there's nothing that can be guaranteed in life, and I can't promise you that Anubhav will never betray you but beta...." She cupped her chin, looking directly at her eyes. "You should take the chance. Love blooms only once and if it blooms right, it will color your life magically."