It's Called: Freefall

Chapter 15

Author's note: Once again, the chapter is a bit long, dark and messy (it's a mashup between the present and the past). Also TW for mentions of torture and miscarriage.

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Meghna sat upright, placed the tablet back on the coffee table and took a deep breath before she began.

"Phoenix, was a simple op. We had a team of four. We were supposed to infiltrate a terrorist base in Karachi and gather intel. Whole route was mapped, we had an inside man, a deep under cover RAW agent who would help us get in and get out of the base. No one was supposed to get caught." Meghna paused staring off into the distance.

"We had gotten into the base and collected all that we needed. It was more than what we were looking for. Those files had a mention of LUCIFER. He was their leader and they dealt with everything from rouge terrorist attacks around the world, to human trafficking. Success of this op would have really helped every security agency around the world. But before we could get out, our agent's cover was blown and they killed him. Our escape plan was compromised." Another pause.

"The two week mission turned into four and we were living in hiding. Planning a new escape, hoping for any help from our organization. But you are aware of the protocol if the agents get caught right?" She looked at him with a question in her eyes.

"Deny responsibility."

Pathaan answered solemnly, remembering what he had learnt during his own penance in Russia the last time, and the incident with Jim.

"And that is exactly what India did."

"We were tortured for 56 days, no holds barred. On the 57th day, I managed to escape from my cell, found the others and we made a run for it. But we were caught again. We were taken in front of their leader LUCIFER, this time for execution."

Meghna fiddles with the ends of her shirt before continuing, until Pathaan urges her on.

"When I saw his face, I recognized him immediately, and so did he. He shot my entire team point blank and told me, he'll keep me alive as a sign of mercy." Tears were running freely from her eyes now.

Amar wanted to console her but he still didn't have all his answers. Meghna continued,

"I was transferred to another cell after that. It took me 3 more months to escape and contact RAW. I felt relief when I was taken back to India but I soon realized I had become a liability."

"There was a mole in the organization who was working for LUCIFER. As I had seen his face and they had to neutralize me before I could give my report. That file you got? That's just their story."

"Why didn't you contact me?" his own eyes were moist now. He was at the edge of his seat, his knees touching hers.

"I couldn't. It was too risky. You were too close to it." She looked up at him with teary eyes before continuing.

"Fortunately they asked Avinash to "take care" of me. He helped me instead, in faking my death and relocating."

"Avin- Tiger? He knew?" Meghna simply noded. This was all too much for Amar to process. He still had one more question though,

"And the medical report? Is that a lie too?"

"I- no. I didn't know either. I found out after they checked me at the medical bay. Ther- there was always so much blood, Amar I never realised it. I'm so sorry!"

Meghna started sobbing now. Amar was by her side in an instant pulling her into a hug. They were both crying.
He didn't need that confirmation, he already knew. But after hearing all that Meghna went through, she had nothing to be sorry about. Instead he felt guilty for harboring anger against her for over a decade. They sat there for what felt like years, held in each other's arms mourning a life they could've had, until Amar remembered what she had said.

He gently pushed Meghna so he could look at her,

"What do you me "I was too close it"? Who's LUCIFER Meghna?"

Meghna wiped her face with the back of her shirt sleeve and got up from the couch.

"You know him too Amar. It's Maulana Abul." She turned around to face him.

He couldn't believe what she was saying,

"What- no that can't be true. You must be mis-"