Spies In Love

Chapter 3

In the test room ten people five boys and five girls lined up in front of me. They all looked like they were teenagers. They were all dressed in gear.

''They all passed the preliminary round.'' Monica said. Monica Anand was a short woman with curly black hair which she had somehow pulled into a bun and bright eyes.

I nodded and turned towards them. ''Each of you will step forward and say your name and the place you're from.'' I said.

One of them stepped forward. ''I'm Ram Swaminathan and I'm from Chennai.''

The others followed. ''I'm Sonali Bose from Kolkata.''

''I'm Manpreet Kaur from Amritsar.''

''V.S Venkat Sai Rao from Vizag.''

''Naina Dhar from Delhi.''

''Aryan Dubai from Mumbai.''

''Neha Sinhania from Lucknow.''

''Mohammad Azad from Nagpur.''

''Samirah Akhtar from Bengaluru.''

''John Kapoor from India.''

I stood in front of him. ''Say it louder.''

''John Kapoor from India.'' He said loudly.

I smiled. ''I like your spirit. Everyone learn from him. When you are out there you are representing India not your hometowns. Am I clear?"

''Yes ma'am.'' Everyone chimed in.

''Louder.''

''Yes ma'am!"

''Good. Now everyone I will test your physical strength. Now the standards are high so don't get disheartened if you are not picked. Now please follow me.'' I said and lead them to the archery section.

I turned towards them. ''Now pick up the bow and arrow.'' I instructed. They did as they were told. They stood in front of their targets.

''Now shoot and don't stop until I tell you to.'' I commanded and they mimicked my words. I watched them carefully. I scribbled notes beside their names.

''Stop.'' I ordered and they stopped.

On the ground there were a few people but I shooed them away. Few people sat on the sidelines.

''On your mark. Get set. Go.'' I shouted and they ran. After crossing the finish line I noted down their speed.

Inside the test room. ''This is the final phase of the test. Everyone will do thirty pushups non-stop.'' This earned some gasps from them. I smiled. ''Giving up so easily?" When they didn't reply I continued. ''Well then don't gape at my beautiful face and start.''

''Now based on your performances five of you will be recruited and the other five will have to go home.'' Everyone held their breath. I scanned their faces and smiled.

''Ram, Sonali, Samirah, John and Mohammad have been recruited.'' They all hi-fived and hugged each other.

I turned towards Monica. ''Please take care of it.'' I said. She nodded. I nodded and headed out of the room.

Once in my office I set the clipboard and the stopwatch down on my desk. My office was pretty cozy. There was a small bookshelf in one corner of the room and a picture of mom sat on top of the bookshelf. She had hair just like mine but her eyes were brown. The walls were a shade of soothing green. On top of the my desk sat a computer and a wireless telephone.

I sat down on the chair and started on the report. By the time I finished it it was only two in the afternoon so I send the report to dad.

There was a knock on the door. ''Come in.'' I said without looking.

''Hey.'' The voice said and I looked up to see that it was Ash standing in front me wearing a plain black shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbow and a pair of dark blue jeans.

I stood up and straightened my shirt. ''Hey. What are you doing here?"

''I had just stopped by to report to your dad about the whole Ameer Zaeed accident and thought I'd take you out for lunch.''

''Wait how did you know...you know what never mind. Okay let's go. I'm starving.'' I said opening the drawer and putting on my bracelet. I checked my neck to see that my necklace was there.

''Okay so what's your favorite food?"

''Have ever tried Indian food?"

It was so much fun hanging out with him. I taught him how to eat  with his hands and he made me laugh with his jokes. We also created many silly double meaning jokes and talked about us.

''Listen I want to know something about you. The real you.'' He said while on our way back.

''Well what do you wanna know?"

''Your past.''

I stopped in my tracks. ''Why do you ask that?"

''Well everyone has a past. I have one too.''

''That doesn't necessarily mean people like to share it.'' I said my voice sounding louder than usual.

''I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you.''

I took a deep breath. ''Its okay. I'm sorry too. Its just that its too painful to talk about.''

''I know. But let's drop this subject for now. What's your favorite color?"

''Violet.'' I replied without hesitating.

''Why?"

''I don't know I just really like the color. What about you?"

''Its dark brown.''

''Why?"

''I don't know I just really like the color.''

''Hey.'' I said and pushed his shoulder lightly. He clutched his shoulder and faked hurt. We both laughed.

After a while he said. ''What about your wound on your thigh?"

''Oh, um, its fine I guess.'' I said hesitantly. I had completely forgotten.

''You guess? You had forgotten about it didn't you?"

I nodded. He sighed and handed me a small bottle filled with what looked a red gel. I looked at him in confusion. He chuckled. ''I had healed your wound but the scar is still there so apply this for a few days and the scar will vanish.''

''Thanks.''

We reached the agency too soon.

''Listen how long are you staying here?"

''I'm going back today night.'' My face dropped a little but I quickly covered it up with a smile.

''Hey give me your phone number. I'll call you according to your time zone.'' He said. I smiled and gave him my phone number.

''Well then bye Ash.''