ACRO

Hesitation

"What are you doing here, Monica?" asked Sam, her voice a whisper.

"The accent. Wow." she said, a chuckle leaving her lips.

"How did you find me?" asked Sam, her eyebrows knitting in shock.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does- "

"It's been eight years, Samaira. You didn't even call, once. You just left." said Monica.

"I didn't have a choice." said Sam, her eyes lowering.

"How did you get here?" asked Monica.

"How did you get here?" asked Sam.

The next moment, Matt and Harry appeared at the bar counter. Sam's eyes snapped up at the two.

"Hey, how's it goin'?" said Harry, a flirty smile spreading across his lips.

She knew right then, it was time to tell the two about Monica.

In code-language.

"Not so good, but I can manage." smiled Sam.

"Care to share?" he asked, his eyes landing on Monica.

"Just the past catching up with me." she said, hinting on Monica.

"Well, if there's anything you need, you know who to ask." he said, his eyes intent.

"Daddy can handle it, way better than you two combined." she teased, making both Matt and Harry place their hand on their chest, acting hurt.

"Does he know his daughter is struggling to recover from a blast from the past?" asked Matt, taking her hint.

"He doesn't." she shrugged.

"But daddy has to know." Harry 'joked'.

You're right. Ian has to know.

"Could you tell him, for me?" she 'joked' back, making him nod.

"Sure. See ya."

The two turned around and left.

Monica gawked at them as they walked away, her eyes narrowed.
"Do you know them?"

"They're regular customers." said Sam.

"We need to get you outta here." said Sam, checking the time in her watch.

*

Monica entered Sam's apartment, looking around.

"This is much better than I thought." she said.

"I earn well." said Sam.

"What do you do?" asked Monica, turning around, her eyes big with curiosity.

"Beth jao." said Sam, her hands touching her arms, a hint of affection in her eyes.

"Sit down."

"You haven't forgotten Hindi. I'm proud." smiled Monica, sitting on the couch.

"I speak many languages." said Sam, heading towards the kitchen.

"What all?" she asked.

"Fluent at German, Arabian, Afrikaans and Japanese. Passably good at French, Lebanese and Russian. A little weak at Chinese and Swahili, but I can pull it off." she said, from the kitchen.

"You were always good with languages." said Monica, unfazed.

Sam stepped out of the kitchen, handing her a plate with a piece of dry cake on it.
"Did you make that?" asked Monica, taking the plate.