SAMAR
If you need anything, I can work
I can command the militia if you need me to right now.
No response.
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The opening and closing of the main door made him startle awake. Samar sat up, pushing his feet down from the sofa and rubbing his face. It was after 3, the rain pouring outside.
“Amaal?”
She came rustling into the hall, shaking her hair out. “You are here? Why did you sleep on the sofa?” She whispered, coming and wrapping her hand around his arm. “Come on, go to bed.”
He squinted up at her — “What happened?”
She looked devastated.
Blue eyes stared at him, locks of wet hair dripping down over him. He pushed her hair behind her shoulder and gripped the back of her neck. “Tell me.” Samar pulled her down beside him. Her eyes filled up. “Amaal?”
She threw herself into his neck. “She is alive.”
Samar stilled.
Amaal broke down into his skin. “Oh god, I can’t… it’s been such a day and… she is alive. She is alive… oh my god…”
He wrapped his arm around her. Her hands came to his neck and she hung on. “I don’t know how he will bring her back, it’s hell knowing it and being so helpless to do anything right away! I can’t imagine Atharva’s state right now.”
“Why?”
“She is in PoK!” Amaal wept. “The fool! And Atharva wants to go after her himself! He is not even…” She stilled. Her body tightened.
Samar pulled her back — “What happened?”
Her mouth opened, then closed. She lowered her eyelashes. And he understood.
“It’s supposed to be classified.”
She nodded, not looking him in the eye.
“Look here.” He palmed the base of her chin and raised her face. She stared at him, scared.
“It’s ok… As long as she is not there working against Atharva or India.”
Amaal shook her head violently. “No!”
“Ok. Then it’s ok. Now relax. You didn’t say anything. I did’t hear this.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He palmed the back of her head. “You are drenched. Dry yourself. I will heat up dinner.”
“I just want to sleep.”
“There is soup.”
“You made soup?”
