Dedicated to RowanCarver

( Check out her book King Eden for her amazing, jaw dropping action scenes and descriptions. Not only will you enjoy the story but also learn a lot.)

Another update this week for crossing 2K. From 35 reads to 2K, this has been a hell of a journey. Thank you whoever read this book before and is reading now.

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As lunch break rolls near, I wonder what that note means.

Who could be that?Is it someone testing me? Should I go or should I not?

ISI is on my tails, is this a trap?

But, what if it's someone who can help me, someone sent from India.

The stakes are too high to yield or ignore. And I can't fucking concentrate on anything since the note, ' If you want to break free, meet me here at break itself.'

The message is short and clear, carrying no double meaning. But, the question still persists: should I go or not?

The pendulum clock tings twelve, signifying its break time.

I decide I will take the chance. I can just give an excuse like going into the toilet or something if it's a trap. Anyway, the rate at which I am progressing seems to yield nothing.

Help your daughter Lord Shiva. I mutter, seeking his blessing.

I need to submit the chart, I hope it doesn't take much time. I should have done it before. But, history taking is indeed an arduous task as patients tend to hide facts from their doctors.

I knock on his, before a voice calls, " Yes, come in."

I get in, pulling the door open as I pass on the clipboard having the chart, " Sir, here's the history."

" All 50?" He asks, taking the chart into his hands. Dr Nizamuddin has a lean build, his beard trimmed to give him a clean shaven look with slight day old stubble. With his brown eyes, slightly crooked nose and sharp eyes with a soft glow hidden somewhere in them, he can be called mildly handsome.

Reason why Basheer is insecure.

Oh, hush.

At a first glance, he would appear quite formidable but he's been very kind to me since I came here. I hope he will excuse me sooner, I don't want to be late.

" I see you have done a good job. Perks of coming from the Fourth best medical institute of India."

"Sir how do you. . ." I start to ask, but he cuts me off saying, " We saw your documents. Do you think you got here without verification."

No, I thought Basheer is a fairy God Father who moved his wand and instantly got me working in a hospital.

Oh well, that's it then.

That surely answers a question.

" Can I go, sir?"

"Hmm, oh yes. Enjoy your break."

Enjoy? I don't think so.

Thank God, had it been in India, I sure would have to sacrifice my lunch break again. Glad to be free.

I slip into the staircase, standing one storey above the designated spot, trying to find if it's a trap. Should have seen more detective serials. I find the space totally empty.

Is this a trap?

Should I wait? I decide against it. Since I am already here, I will just get into the bathroom and return back. If someone asks anything, I will simply claim to have not found anything.

My heart thuds in my chest as I get into the bathroom, still wondering the same. As soon as I get into the bathroom, I find a woman washing her face in one of the basins.

Is she a staff member?

Why is she here?

" So, you came?" She speaks up while washing her face.

My face immediately reverts back to her and I immediately realise the mistake I have done by responding to her. I hide my nervousness as I ask, " Sorry, are you talking to me?"

The woman stops washing her face, as she stands up, upright, now facing me.

Her face is pale, highlighted by her sharp features. I note the high bridge of her face as those sharp eyes focus on me.

Trap!

Trap!

Run!

My adrenaline spikes up and my brain commands to reach the nearest exit. But, if this is indeed a trap, there will be men outside too. I need to persuade her, if at all I can do that.

I look around, acting as if searching for someone. " Excuse me, I don't follow," I say taking a step towards the bathroom stall.

She smirks as she strides towards me.

Is she gonna kill me now?

My eyes widen as her hands reach the coat pocket, pulling out the crumpled piece of paper.

Oh Shit!

She dangles the paper in front of me, mocking me.

"Nehali Singh, topper of AFMC batch 2017, is this how your brain works?" She mocks as a sardonic smile takes over her face.

" I just got it lying there. I took it wondering what it was but later forgot it." A lie smoothly rolls of my tongue.

" If this had been indeed a trap, you would have been dead cold by now. Did you think it was a love letter? Why did you keep it? Burn it or swallow it. But, good for you we are on your side."

" What do you mean?" I ask, exasperated. I don't appreciate going about in circles.

" Simple, we're from the RAW."

"We? I don't see anybody here but you."

" You see, not all of us trust you to give up our names. Our lives are at huge risk here, particularly from betrayal. So for now, it's just me who is at risk."

" I might give you away. Why trust me then?"

"A girl who ranked enough in NEET to get into AIIMS, topmost college in India, but got into AFMC because she wanted to serve the army. Do you realise the guts it takes to do that? And you say, someone like that would choose the enemy over their own motherland?"

I stare open mouthed at her, as I realise she knows everything about me and the way she phrases it.

I can't choose him over my country, Right?

Why is there a choice even? Isn't it normal to choose your motherland? It's not that that you love Basheer right, Nehali?

Love happens in years, not days. So come out of your temporary infatuation.

"I see you know a lot about me. Then you must know I was kidnapped here, not here on a mission as a spy?"

"Yes, I do know that. I will tell you everything. Just know my life is in your hands and I'm not afraid to lay down my life for my country, but I am afraid of betrayal."

I can't say the same. I love my life a lot. A reason why I chose to be an army doctor. I wanted to save as many as I could. Dying for your country or not can never be beautiful. A momentary surge of pleasure and pride but then everything fades into nothingness. I on the other hand value life, I will live it, however tough. I believe life is the most beautiful thing on earth.

"I can't say the same. But I won't give you out. You can trust me."

"What are you afraid of the most?" She asks me for my peculiar reply.

Did she expect me to say, ' I will lay down my life for my country in a second?'

No, I would rather live and fight. After death I will be useless. I don't want to turn into anything useless.

"Losing life." I reply.

"Well, we all have different fears I suppose." She says, her lips tilting to one side.

Does she consider me a coward for my reply?

I am no coward and I will prove it in due time.

"So, what do I do, Commander?"

Authors Note:

If you loved the chapter, don't forget to vote and comment!

So, how was the chapter? Do you find yourself waiting for the next chapter?

Do you wonder if indeed it's a trap to test Nehali?

Information:

ISI: Secret Intelligence Agency based in Pakistan.

RAW: Secret Intelligence Agency based in India.

Stay happy and safe, my dear readers!