Madam Sirr 2

Chapter 52

52. The Bonds that Grow

 A leap of 5 years......

Two elderly ladies walked into MPT, their faces serious and grim. None of them talked yet glanced at another, their expressions speaking for themselves. They entered the station, surprising the members as they all stood up in respect. The two ladies marched determinedly to KS's cabin, stopping nowhere before then.

Haseena and KS was wrapping up a routine discussion when their eyes flashed to the elderly women standing by the doorway. They stood up suddenly, the surprise evident in their eyes as they exclaimed loudly.

"Ammi!" "Amma!"

Ammi and Amma allowed a faint smile, their serious expressions growing dim with each second. Haseena and KS knelt down and took their blessings while they all settled around the cabin.

"Ammi...Amma..." KS called out. "Why are you both here, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Haseena too voiced her concern, her eyes fixed on her ammi. It had been long since she'd visited her as Haseena's life as a mother and a DSP kept her busy. Guilt ate away at her heart as Haseena averted her gaze, lowering her eyes to the ground while she played with her fingers.

Ammi cast a sideways glance at Haseena, a smile tugging on her lips. She knew her daughter better than anyone in the world. She saw through the mask that Haseena wore, saw her for the real her. Ammi understood Haseena's responsibilities and her struggles in life. Her eyes gleamed with a silent pride as she watched her daughter tackle life's obstacles.

"Everything is fine beta but...." She started looking at Amma who nodded at her. "We have to lodge a complaint."

KS eyes sparked with curiosity as she leaned forward in her chair. "A complaint ammi? Against whom?"

"Two of our own daughters...."

Haseena looked up at her mother, beads of tears covering her eyes. "And...what faults are they accused of?"

"Not taking care of themselves. From morning till night, they do nothing but work both at the house and at their offices. They never take time for themselves."

"And what are their names...?"

"DSP Haseena Malik and SHO KS" ammi said casually, staring directly at her two daughters.

"Ammi!" both Haseena and KS shouted at the same time.

Ammi first turned to Haseena, caressing her face with her palm. "Hasu...I know that work is keeping you busy but you also have to take care of yourself beta...."

"Ammi, there's nothing to worry. I will take care of myself."

"Accha?" Amma's voice cut through the cabin, her eyes a dark layer of exposed anger. "Did you have your breakfast?"

Haseena winced guiltily, lowering her eyes to the ground.

Ammi sighed and turned to KS. "And you KS...what about you?"

"What about me ammi?" she asked, her voice shaking. "I'm fit and fine."

"Accha? But that's not what Puspha Ji told me..."

KS grunted silently cursing Puspha Ji for revealing her health. She smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck hoping to diffuse the tension.

Ammi leaned forward as she twitched KS's ear and grabbed Haseena's in her other hand. They lurched forward, Ammi's grip tightening as she harshly pulled their ears. They winced in pain, pleading in loud tones but ammi didn't listen to their words.