Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

The Return of Zoya

The blazing sun bathed the streets of Lucknow in a fierce grip. The building of the MPT stood defiantly against the scorching heat, an unwavering symbol of justice. Across the street, a young girl adorned in a constable's uniform stood watching the MPT, her eyes of pride and happiness.

The sunlight flashed in her eyes as she strolled back to a day where she stood in front of the MPT with her father. It had been her dream to join the police force and she recalled how she promised Haseena madam and Karishma madam that she'd achieve her dreams. She snapped back to the present, the past seemingly echoing in her heart. It seemed not that long ago that she stood here as a civilian.

She stepped forward her legs rising rhythmically as she strolled towards the station, her mind in apprehension of seeing Haseena madam and Karishma madam again. As she approached the steps. She felt the heat clinging to her uniform, she sensed a lulling sense of unfamiliarity tingling through her. The MPT which had been a place of constant happiness to her now felt alien as if she'd entered a different world. She shook her head and entered, the alienation lingering in her heart.

The station was empty, almost lifeless. Her heart clamored, the doubts in her rising. It had been a long time and perhaps the station had changed. She heard footsteps as she trained her eyes and saw the familiar sight of Puspha Ji strolling towards her. Zoya immediately relaxed as the presence of her love warmed her memories.

Zoya straightened herself and saluted her much to Puspha Ji's surprise. Her eyes fell on the young constable standing in front of her, a distant memory awakening in her. Puspha Ji knew the girl was familiar but she couldn't extract her name.

"Do you remember me madam?" Zoya asked, her face an inviting bloom.

Puspha Ji looked confounded, her eyes soaring in her mind tugging for the faint memory that inevitably escaped her grasp.

"I'm Zoya" she said.

Puspha Ji still looked blank staring at the girl. Her eyes widened in surprise as the name hit home. Pushpa Ji almost shouted in surprise.

"Zoya....." she went near her pulling her into a deep hug, her motherly love overwhelming her. "How are you?"

"I'm in good health madam" she said. "Thanks to you and your team."

Puspha Ji strolled around her memories when Zoya visited the station as a little girl when she was suffering from a fatal kidney disease. The entire MPT had helped to save her life ultimately uncovering an illegal organ transplant business.

Puspha Ji drew a chair inviting her to sit. "Aarey why are you calling me madam?" she asked as she sat down next to Zoya. "So...you joined the police force?"

"Haan Puspha Ji. My first posting is at the Ameenabhad station." She said proudly displaying her crisp uniform.

Puspha Ji's heart swelled in pride as she saw the little girl whom she had seen struggling with a fatal disease blossom into a police officer.

"Where is Haseena madam and Karishma madam?" she asked.

"They went out regarding a case. They'll be back."

"And the rest of team?"

A dark cloud fell over Puspha Ji's eyes. "Santu and Cheetah had a transfer."

"Oh" Zoya exclaimed, a tinge of regret coursing through her.

Puspha Ji ordered two glasses of chai as the two exchanged stories of the past and Zoya's training at the academy. They heard the unmistakable siren of the police jeep and the roaring of KS's bike. Zoya's heart fluttered in anticipation, eager to see Haseena madam and Karishma madam.

As they entered both in their dramatic fashion, Puspha Ji and Zoya stood and saluted them.

"Jai Hind madam sir." "Jai Hind madam."

Zoya looked at the two seniors her eyes beginning to dampen.

Zoya's mind rose to her perilous past when she suffered from Kidney disease. She was struggling to breathe and cope. She recalled how Haseena madam and Karishma madam had brought her into the station and fulfilled her dream of becoming a police officer. They had sacrificed their lives to save hers. Zoya knew that she was indebted to them. She resisted the deep urge to hug both Haseena and Karishma owing to police protocol.

Haseena and KS looked at the young officer standing in front of them feeling a faint memory tug in their minds. It was Haseena who recognized her first.

"Zoya?" she exclaimed in surprise as she exchanged a glance with KS.

"Ji madam sir" Zoya said, her face blossoming as a flower.

"Aarey Zoya.....you've grown into a police officer" KS said as she glanced at her, pride swelling in her heart.

"Ha madam, I promised you that when I got my first posting I'll visit you."

They smiled as Haseena drew back chairs inviting everyone to sit.

"So Zoya, how was your training?" KS asked.

"Really tough madam" she said, her voice breaking down. "But I never gave up. I remembered both of you. I remembered how you fought for me when I couldn't fight for myself. That gave me strength."

"I heard a lot about you at the academy." She said.

"Really?" Haseena leaned forward, her eyes sparking with intrigue. "What did they say?"

"Our instructor, Babita madam, used to tell us stories about you. She said even Haseena madam and Karishma madam faced challenges but never gave up. That inspired me to keep going."

KS and Haseena exchanged a glance.

"Babita madam hasn't changed" KS said, a light chuckle in her voice. She felt a nostalgic tinge in her heart at the name of Babita Ji.

Haseena felt the weight of tears in her eyes as she recalled the strength, resilience and endurance of Zoya.

"Zoya...we are all proud of you."

Zoya looked up, her eyes beaming with happiness. The weight of unspoken emotions hovered around the station.

"Madam Sir...and Karishma madam" Zoya began. "I wanted to thank you all for what you did for me..." she said, her voice breaking down.

"Zoya we did our duty" KS said.

Haseena stood up her hands pressed on her back as everyone around her stood to attention.

"Zoya..." she began. "Remember- this uniform is a symbol of responsibility. Always uphold the pride of your uniform Zoya- with honesty and integrity."

"Ji madam sir."

"And Zoya....the real challenge begins now. Are you ready?"

"Ji madam. I am ready."

As the members of the MPT looked at her, Zoya felt a tremendous pride swelling within her. She had endured and fought to achieve her dream alongside the warriors of MPT who helped her. Zoya glanced at each senior, a look of gratitude and determination set in her eyes.