ACRO

The Soldier

New Delhi, India:

A dark haired woman, pulled a chair behind, seating herself upon it. She had large, innocent eyes, a pretty face and a slender, slim frame. Her hair had a brownish tinge, and she was dressed in a Persian blue kurta, with denim jeans beneath. She had a peach complexion.

She was at her workplace, a typical office, with her desktop right in front of her, just like the others present in the room.

Shooting a smile to a woman waving at her, she looked into her computer, her hand on the mouse. As the screen lit up, a notification popped up.

"New email received."

She clicked on her inbox and opened the latest email, to be stunned. Her eyes widened, slightly, her lips parting, as she read the message.

"Monica Oberoi."

"What would you do, to see your sister again?"

Right below the text was a picture. A gasp left her mouth to see a woman she recognised so well.

Her lips quivered, as she read out the name, her voice, a shuddered whisper.

"Samaira."

***

A week later:

The Headquarters of ACRO:

Sam walked out of the lockup, agitatedly. She stomped to the officer waiting outside, expectantly.

"I have tried to be nice but this bastard won't spill a word. We're doing it my way."

Sam entered her cabin, anger coursing through her veins. She pulled the zip to open her bag, only to find out its jammed. She pulled the zip harder, trying to open it, but it didn't budge.

"Fuck!" she exclaimed and thrashed her bag on the ground, kicking it repeatedly.

"Wow."

Her head snapped up to see Ian standing at the entrance of her cabin. His hands were in his pockets and his sleeves folded, his cold, grey eyes zoomed in on her.

She sat on the chair and sighed, as he walked towards her.
"This is my fault." she said.

"I made a mess in Lebanon. And I didn't clean up well."

"You're not the first one to make mistakes." he said, pulling a chair and sitting next to her.

"I made a big mistake." she said.

"None of this would've happened if I were careful enough." she sighed.
"If you didn't send a rescue team after me."

"Have you forgotten the messages you sent the headquarters? You said it yourself, you were almost caught. Suspicion had risen against you. Two of our men were killed. I had to bring you back." he said.

"I told you to give me some time. I was so close to finding out the head, Ian."

"What's the point of gathering intel, if you're dead before you report it?" he said.

She rolled her eyes.

His eyes narrowed, examining her.
"What is it?"