Days blurred into weeks, and weeks faded into months. In that time, the walls of the house echoed with laughter—but none of it was hers. Her mama and mami had mastered the art of smiling in public while using her in private.

Under the guise of her mother’s last “wish”, they treated her as nothing more than a maid.

They made her sweep floors, wash dishes, polish shoes, and mop every corner of the house. She was never allowed to sleep on a bed—only the cold floor became her companion at night. Whenever the family went out for dinner, picnics, or movies, She was always left behind… alone, unnoticed, forgotten.

She never questioned it.

She believed that by listening to her mama and mami, she was keeping her Ammi’s “wish” alive. And so, the little girl quietly endured.

One afternoon, after months of the same routine…

Mami (irritated):

“ kya zaroorat hai humare bacho ke saath isko bhi school mai dalne ki—kyu bekaar mai ispar paisa zaya kr rahe hai.?”

mama : “ jaya tum bhi na samjhti nahi ho kuch. aur wese bhi mai konsa isse apne bacho ke ache school mai dalne ki baat kr raha hoon—mai toh isse koi bhi saste school mai dalne ki sonch raha hun.”

mami : “ jo bhi ho par isse padha likha ke kya karenge—iski shadi ki umar tak isse ghar ka kaam kara lenge uske baad kisi se bhi shadi kara kar isse jan picha choda lenge.”

mama : “ arre jaya ghar ka kaam toh kara hi lenge par tum ye bhi toh soncho isse padhayenge likhayenge toh isse achi job milegi, acha paisa kamayegi toh soncho wo sara paisa kiska hoga.” said smirking.

mami too understood and smirked..

Years passed. She grew, but not into the carefree girl she should have been.

She was still a child—but already carrying the weight of three lives.

She was excellent in her studies, so they made her start tutoring younger kids. While managing school, tuition students, and a house full of chores, she somehow never complained. Even when exhaustion burned in her bones, she smiled—because in her mind, listening to her mama-mami was still a way to stay close to her Ammi.

They took every penny she earned. No pocket money. No rewards. Just expectations and reminders that she owed them.

When she stepped into higher classes, the burden grew heavier.

Eventually, her mama stopped paying for her education altogether— and said her to start teaching in school for more money and said her to pay her education fees by herself only and used to take the rest of the money also.

She obeyed.

Then came the turning point.

Mama (mocking):

“ pata bhi hai tumhe police ki tayaari, padhai aur exam ke liye kitne paise lagte hai— jo police banne ke sapne dekh rahi ho. chodo ye sab aur seede koi sasta sa course lo.”

She requested: “ par mamaji hum baba ki tarah police officer banna chahte hai—aur rahi baat paiso ki toh humari teaching ki naukri mai sabkuch manage krlenge hum— apko ek rupiya ke liye bhi nahi puchenge.. par plss hum police ki padhai hi krna chahte hai.”

And thud.

mamiji slapped her.

mami : “ kya kaha tune tera teaching ka paisa— shyd bhul gayi hai ke tu yaha rehti hai, khati hai itne salon se agar hum tujhe yaha rehne nahi dete na toh padi hoti kisi road par bheek mangte howe. badi aayi humara paisa apka paisa kehne wali—aur samjh nahi aata inhone keh diya na fizool mai pura paisa iss police ki padhai mai zaya nahi krne ko toh bass baat khatam.”

Her eyes were filled with tears....but still she didn't disrespect her even after her harsh words and behavior...

“ sorry mamiji hum maafi chahte hai humara mtlb wo nahi tha. hume maaf krdijye par plss hume police ki padhai krne dedijye— hum wada krte hai hum pakka koi bohtt zyada salary wali job dhundege aur apni padhai mai kam se kam paiso ka istemaal karenge. par plss hume police ki padhai hi krne dijiye.”

She requested them so much and finally as they were greedy people and hearing she would earn more money they agreed.

It was only the promise of a higher salary that made them agree.

She applied in companies for undergraduates and she even got selected for a good salary package as she was already a very good student. And later after completing 12th and also as she gained experience in her job for 2 years...

Her salary package also increased. All these years she used to study very hard so that she could get scholarship as she promised her mama mami that she would use as less money as possible for her studies— and also used to work very hard including overtimes for fulfilling their mama mami wishes as she didn't wanted to make them upset because since her childhood they filled her mind that upsetting them means upsetting her ammi.

Her body often ached, but she didn’t slow down. Her goal was set.

She wanted to be a police officer—just like her Baba.

After two more relentless years of work and study, she finally cracked the exam.

Haseena Malik—now a SHO.

Her heart swelled with pride.

She imagined her Baba, saluting her in heaven.

She imagined her Ammi’s hands fixing the badge on her uniform.

But also she was feeling hurt and sad that on this happy day she was all alone no one was happy for her, no one was congratulating her even with fake smiles also no one was there to celebrate this happy day with her..

She was all alone.

So, she went to the outskirts of the city—near a quiet lake under the starlit sky. She sat alone in her uniform, the golden stars on her collar shining quietly.

She talked to her parents.

Told them how she took her oath.

How her heart raced when she wore her first police uniform.

Time passed. Now SHO Haseena Malik, her responsibilities were endless. But still—still—she never disobeyed her mama and mami.

If they asked her to pick groceries, she went.

They used to call her home for outdoor work as well as house work—she used to manage everything nicely without any complain or frown though she used to get veryyy exhausted and tired.

But now she was used to all this excessive works as she was doing all this since her childhood.

At night, after fighting crime and injustice all day, she still washed dishes when asked.

She was used to it.

She had always been used to it.

Because long ago, someone had convinced a little girl that saying no meant hurting the mother who never wanted this life for her.

And so, she continued carrying the weight—

even now,

with a badge over her heart,

and wounds beneath it.