Chapter 71: "Crazy Revealed"

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"Whee-haa!" the idiot hooted as, attached to the rope, she flew in a curve.

"I swear she's mad!" Zayn shook his head beside Salma, watching the fall end at the extreme opposite, and the rope jerked and bounced back to trace its path.

Salma released a breath of relief.

"She's the toughest of the lot!" the Coach added.

"And mad," Zayn repeated.

Salma stood on her toes and leaned over the fence to see past the bushes when Sarah swung away from her line of vision.

"Bee!!" Zayn warned, grabbing her again.

"Is she alright?" Salma asked, trying to catch a glimpse.

"Definitely!" the Coach replied.

And he was right. Sarah just swung back.

"You guys want to make your second jump?" the Coach asked.

"Come on, losers!" Sarah yelled from several hundred feet below. "What are you waiting for?"

Zayn and Salma exchange a frustrated glance. Zayn turned to the Coach.

"Can we just keep her swinging till she apologizes?" she asked.

The Coach snorted a laugh.

"What?" he cried. "Are you kidding me?! That one is going to climb up that rope with her bare hands and throw us all down the cliff."

"The kind of exhaustion and depression that hits you once the adrenaline wears off, even the toughest are forced to surrender," Zayn muttered as he picked up a water bottle. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled "Looking good, sis! Hang in there!"

Then, as she swung out of view, Zayn tipped the bottle and started emptying the contents over the edge in a steady stream. By the time Salma realized what he was doing, Sarah had swung back right into the stream of water slapping her in the face. Salma's jaw dropped just as Sarah shocked cry of anger ricocheted around the cliffs. Zayn broke into peals of laughter.

"I hate you!" came the instant blast of fury.

"Ooffff!" Zayn responded.

Her angry threats shot out of the drop all the way up and had them in tears of laughter at the top.

"Salma!" Sarah addressed her directly.

"It wasn't me! It was Zayn!" Salma quickly clarified.

"I know!" Sarah returned fiercely. "Fling him down the cliff! I need to punch someone!"

Salma turned to Zayn, who, leaning against the fence for support, was still clutching his aching sides.

"That was so rude." Salma chuckled at his state, prodding his foot with her own. She felt her heart warming to see him in such a good mood. The Coach shook his head at the pair.

"I thought I knew crazy," he said, jerking his head Sarah-wards, "but I was yet to see someone crazy enough to provoke her."

Zayn wiped tears of jest as he reached for another bottle.

"She had that coming," he said then uncapped the second bottle.

Salma jumped to grab the bottle before he could start timing the water's drop with Sarah's swing again.

"Stop it." Salma scowled playfully.

"Nah, let her suffer for a bit."

"Zayn!"

He laughed, letting Salma take the bottle away. "I'm not gonna lie, it's fun to watch her all agitated."

"Let's not agitate her too much though," Salma mumbled.

"Guys!" the Coach called. "You're up!"

"Coming!" Zayn called, before wrapping an arm around Salma's shoulders. "Let's go."

Zayn and Salma made another jump and since Sarah was already waiting for them at the base with a gallon full of water, Salma had to intervene before she and Zayn could start a water fight and douse her in process. Sarah called them a conniving couple but agreed that after tricking them first, it was only fair that Zayn repaid the favor.

"I let it be, so I want you to let go too," Salma requested.

"Yeah, whatever." Sarah rolled her eyes, but lowered the gallon.

Realizing a truce was established, the crew members figured it was safe to approach Salma and Zayn to detach them from the rope.

"Needless to say," Salma said as she stepped away, letting the man unclasp Zayn's harness, "what you did was very dangerous and scary –"

"—I believe he thinks otherwise." Sarah shrugged.

"I do." Zayn readily agreed, chuckling, as he joined Salma.

Salma eyed them both crossly, questioning her position standing guard between the two of them. Were they fighting on the same side?

"Seriously?" she complained at the pair suddenly agreeing with each other.

Sarah just laughed and walked away.

"Have fun, you two," she said as Salma scowled at her retreating back.

"Which side is she on?" Salma muttered.

Zayn laughed.

"Her own," he replied, and jumped off the ramp. He held his hands at her.

"And who's side are you on?" Salma asked, grabbing Zayn's shoulders to support herself as jumped off the ramp.

"What do you think?" Zayn smiled, holding her up by her waist.

"Put me down!" Salma whispered, feeling embarrassed.

Zayn chuckled and lowered her gently. Salma stepped away.

"You agreed with her," Salma said.

"Yeah." Zayn shrugged. "She knows I have more fun jumping with you squeezing the life out of me than, like, 'I'm going to hold onto this man for dear life!'"

"I was holding onto this man for dear life!" Salma pointed out.

Zayn laughed.

"Considering that it doesn't happen that often, the man in question loved every nano-second of it and agreed with the Demoness who planned and executed it."

Salma felt a blush creeping up her cheeks when she realized what he was talking about. By forcing her to jump with him, Sarah had made her hold Zayn closely like he holds her, which, as Zayn had said, did not happen very often. In fact, Salma could not remember the last time she had actually held him in a bear hug. The hugs, kisses and affections were usually the other way around.

Feeling a little guilty and embarrassed, Salma threw a quick glance around. Once sure no one was looking, she stepped in front of Zayn.

"What happ--"

Salma grabbed him in a quick hug and squeeze. She giggled to hear him release a sharp breath.

"The Heimlich maneuver is usually performed from behind," Zayn said, mocking a strained voice.

Salma laughed.

"Why, did I just cross the optimum hug conditions?" She grinned at Zayn.

"Oh, it's a hug!" Zayn's feigned surprise. "Alright then, it feels super nice and warm in here. Thank you."

Salma chuckled and relaxed her hold a little when Zayn enveloped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. She rested her head against his chest, feeling warm and relaxed, listening to the rhythmic beats of his heart, and yet, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the feel of his biceps around her and his chin resting atop her head made goosebumps rise on her skin. Where he enjoyed holding her close, Salma was yet to get used to feeling so much of him, against her.

"So, why the sudden generosity?" Zayn asked.

"Shh, I'm listening to your heart beating to a tune," Salma said.

His chest rumbled with a laugh, making Salma pull her ear away a little. Her attempt at a joke to distract herself from his very, very close feel further backfired when she felt the tone muscles of his abdomen moving as he laughed.

Oh crap! That felt like abs! Salma recoiled, feeling blood heating her cheeks again.

"What happened?" Zayn asked, feeling her push away.

"Your laugh was like a rolling thunder in there!" Salma poked his ribs. And your workout totally paid off. You have ceramic tiles fitted in your stomach!

"My bad, you want to listen to my heart put up a concert for you again?" Zayn joked. "I would keep it sunny and nice for you this time."

"No, thank you," Salma grinned, thanking God he could not read her mind. Zayn pouted playfully. "Hungry?"

"Starving!" Zayn tapped his stomach, then frowned. "There's a chance the thunder you heard wasn't laughter."

Salma gave him a wide-eyed look before she burst out laughing.

***

After checking the time, Salma locked her phone and snuggled closer to Zayn. She saw him smile in the reflection of the dark screen, but did not say anything. He kept watching the setting sun burn red and gold over the clear horizon, and continuing combing his fingers through her hair. Salma smiled and closed her eyes, listening to the steady drumming of his heart. Now that it was only her head resting against his chest with just one of his arms around her, Salma felt more comfortable.

Sarah and the rope-jumping crew had left, leaving Salma and Zayn to enjoy some time alone. The Coach had already helped Salma hire Moazzam, the man who lived in the village nearby for a Barbecue lunch. As Moazzam set to work, the two strolled around the green meadows, until they settled against this smooth rock jutting out of the expanse of grass, to watch the spectacular sunset.

Salma felt her stomach growling as the smoky smell of the Barbecued meat wafted towards them with the breeze.

"I think you're about to hear a rolling thunder again," Zayn said out of blue.

Salma laughed quietly. "Excuse my manners if you see a cave lady pounce on the food when it's ready.

Zayn laughed, making Salma turned her ear away. She turned to the expanse of the clear blue sky, tinted with rose-gold hues.

"Disturbed your concert with a rumble again?" Zayn smiled.

"Sort of," Salma replied distracted by the sky. "It's a shame we can't be here at night."

"Huh?" Zayn said, amused by her random shift in topics.

"The sky," Salma said, pointed to it. "The stars would be magnificent here, won't they?"

Zayn smiled at her fondly.

"We can find out," he said softly.

"No, we can't," Salma informed him as she sat up. "I'm not allowed."

Zayn frowned.

"Why not?"

"Security issues." Salma shrugged. "Daylight gives the Green Coats a clear view of things. They can't make necessary arrangements for the night. Something about a lot of easy kill shots and kidnapping opportunities in the cover of the night. Imagine Toryal just sneaking behind this very rock at when it's dark compared to now."

Zayn's frown deepened, looking troubled.

"Is that still a risk?" he asked. "I didn't know Toryal was still around?"

His eyes were glowing molten gold in the reflecting sunlight. Salma looked away.

"There's always a risk," Salma replied casually. "I don't know. He might be. Or his lackeys are, at least. But it doesn't matter. The risk is always there."

"So we're still being watched?"

Salma glanced at him side-ways.

"Is that a serious question?" she asked, then jerked her head in the direction of the man preparing food for them. "I won't be surprised if Moazzam is a Green Coat."

"An agent with cooking skills? I'd have two of those, please," Zayn joked.

Salma chuckled.

"So the guardian of the Zamarud is always at the risk of being kidnapped or killed?" Zayn asked.

"Or at the risk of having her identity exposed to the wrong people."

Zayn's brow furrowed again.

"Such as?" he asked.

"The FBI," Salma replied pointedly.

Zayn smiled, then shook his head.

"Is that your way of warning me against tipping off the bureau?"

"It could be." Salma replied.

"So what happens if the wrong people, such as the FBI, find out about your being the guardian of the Zamarud?"

Salma sighed heavily.

"The Iron Box protocol takes place. I get taken to some safe place far away," Salma replied, looking rueful. "No contact with friends or family. Just the bare minimum. Mum said when she was in the Iron Box, she did not see her mother or sister for months at a time. I basically die out of this life, cease to exist for everyone except those who know where I am."

"How long do you stay in the Iron Box?" Zayn asked, looking more and more concerned.

"Depends; weeks, months, years . . . till the threat is over, or me coming out of it serves more purpose than me staying hidden." Salma shrugged.

Salma watched Zayn pick up her hand and intertwine their fingers.

"Will I be allowed to tag along?" he asked.

"Totally!" Salma laughed, watching him grip her hand tightly. "Because Arethas Grace just disappearing without a trace would raise no eyebrows? And Grandpa, Claire and Niall wouldn't even bate an eye that you no longer come home."

Salma turned to him laughing, but cut it short when she saw the panicked look on his face.  She instantly regretted telling him about the Iron Box.

"So they take you away and I lose you?" he said softly, searching her eyes.

Salma felt her chest congest painfully.

"That's exactly why you can't tell Alex!" Salma joked in an attempt to downplay the seriousness of her fears. "It's nothing!" She snuggled closer and slipped an arm around his back. "It's just me getting paranoid sometimes and mentally preparing myself for worse."

Zayn hugged her to him.

"I won't let that happen to you," he said seriously. "I won't let them take my Bee into some prison compound with no way out!"

Salma smiled ruefully.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Well, for starters, don't tell FBI," Zayn said, making Salma laugh.

"Hey!"

Zayn pulled away from her as the two turned to the source of the voice. Moazzam was waving at them from the distance.

"Supper's ready!"

Zayn eyed Salma with a devilish grin.

"Race you to the hunt, Cave lady!"

"Not fair!" Salma cried as he jumped to his feet and broke into a run. "I have to fix my scarf!"

First Draft: October 28, 2021

Salma continued removing the tape from her hands. She knew she would finish before she had the courage to make the request. A quick side-look to her pixie haired mentor made her stomach twist further up in knots. It was not that she was scared of asking Eelay. She was just scared how stupid it would sound and also, how terrifying the consequent lessons would be.

Shuddering at the prospect, Salma closed her eyes and turned away from the superhuman lady wrongly named as Swan. She would probably have her ribs broken and twisted the very first minute of the lesson.

"Is anything the matter with you?"

Salma's eyes flew open to see her mentor standing with her hands resting on her sides at the far end of the fighting mat.

"I – uh, no Ma'am!" Salma blurted.

With a brow raised, her sharp eyes looked pointedly at her hands still half wrapped in tape.

"I suppose not." She smiled softly. "It's okay to miss him."

Salma's eyes bulged out.

What?!

"I wasn't!" She denied on impulse.

Eelay laughed. Salma felt her cheeks warming up. Zayn had left for L.A the other day. He said he had to go through a medical follow up but there was more, chance than not, of him actually being declared fit for practice, at the very least. And although Salma was not really thinking of him at the moment – strictly speaking – the amount of idle time she now had, with him gone, almost had her wishing he would be considered unfit so he would come back.

Salma looked away, wondering if she should grab the opportunity and make the request. She started unwrapping her hands again. Eelay let the matter be, going about her business around the gym. She started rolling up the fighting mat.

"You know," she said after a while as she stacked the mat at one end of the hall. "If you want to say something, you can totally let me know."

Salma gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"I know, thank you." Salma rolled the tape on itself, hesitating. "It's just a little stupid so . . ." Salma shrugged.

Eelay sat down, drinking from her bottle of water. She motioned to her to continue.

"Everything is stupid," she said as she wiped her mouth, "until you undo it by learning. So, you can either ask or remain stupid."

"That's a very clever way of prompting someone to say what's on their mind."

Eelay just smiled, waiting for her to begin.

"Okay, so I wanted to ask for some very specific lessons," Salma began uneasily. "I want you to help me strengthen this area." Salma tapped her ribs and around her diaphragm.

The way Eelay blinked made Salma regret her question just as instantly as her decision to ask. A door opened and Spogmae entered, but Salma still heard her mentor making a sound that was suspiciously like a cough covering up incredulity.

"I hope it isn't too intrusive to ask." Eelay managed to keep a serious face. She tapped her diaphragm. "Why do you want to strengthen this area specifically?"

"Because she ruined the moment when her man hugged her," Spogmae said as she walked past the hall to the weapon stack at the opposite side.

Salma's wide eyes went from following Spogmae's embarrassing intrusion to Eelay's raised eyebrows in a flash.

"What?" Eelay whispered.

Salma was thinking of shaking her head to deny the insinuation, when the ice-cold embodiment of embarrassment walked back with a rifle in hand.

"She screamed he was about to collapse her lungs," Spogmae finished. "Poor guy had to let go."

"How do you even kno–!" Salma's protest was cut short by the door shutting close behind the Green Coat.

One look at Eelay and Salma closed her eyes in embarrassment.

"That's not what happened," she cried in her defense. Salma opened her eyes to see Eelay shaking her head in disbelief and disappointment.

***

Salma walked down the dimly lit corridor, trying not to make any eye contact with the passersby. Not only was she walking around the office building of the GCA unannounced, Spogmae telling Eelay about Salma ruining Zayn's hugs by getting her breath knocked out of her system still mortified her. Salma felt like the embarrassing words were now written on her forehead and anyone could read she was so weak even a hug could wind her.

Salma tried making herself smaller when the tech guy with an afro stepped out of, what she knew to be, Burak Kaka's office cabins. She hoped not to run into him or Spogmae. Who knew what other embarrassing things these shadows had witnessed.

"Yes sir," Mr. tech-afro said, standing in the doorway, with a hand still grabbing the knob. "What's next on our task list?"

"Um, we're going to sort out the information we've filtered," a third voice said.

Salma broke step. The voice was eerily familiar, but --

She paused and turned around. It can't be. She was probably mistaken.

Mr. Tech-Afro was still standing in the doorway, a file in hand, the other holding the knob.

"But we're getting close," the same voice continued.

Salma bit back a gasp.

The heck's going on?

Becoming more tense and attentive, Salma stepped by one of the potted plant to see if she could catch a glimpse. The sane voice in her head told her that she should mind her own business and keep going, but she had to make sure she was mistaken.

"Give me a tentative timeline," Burak Kaka said, jolting her awake to her actions.

What in the world are you doing?

She was just asking for trouble. She had already crossed a line by visiting her father's office without prior appointment – with so much free time on her hands, she wanted to see if she could visit James and Dean -- but she was leaping over it by miles by poking her nose in an office where it did not belong.

"Don't snoop around, don't wander. Come in like you're blind and deaf, walk out like your mute and you'll be fine,"  her father had told her the first time he had explained she had to frequent the GCA for her lessons with Eelay.

Problem is, she was not deaf.

"Two or three days, max!" the familiar voice replied, tempting Salma stick around and investigate her suspicions.

Act deaf, act deaf, act deaf! Salma chanted in her head as she pass the office.

"Alright then, prepare for the briefing," Burak Kaka instructed.

"Yes sir!"

"Sure sir!" Tech-Afro said and stepped out, making Salma shoot a grateful prayer to the One above the seven heavens for giving her the sense to continue walking.

"Ms. Rahman." Mr. Tech-Afro guy respectfully nodded his head as he passed by.

"Assalamo'Alaikom!" Salma squeaked, a tad startled.

"Princess?"

Salma turned around to see her father standing at the mouth of the side hall that she knew lead to the conference room. Salma let out a relieved sigh. Somehow it was better to be found by the Boss than by any of his subordinates.

"What're you doing here?" Her father frowned as he walked towards her.

"I just finished my lessons with Eelay and was going to come see you," Salma stepped closer to him, somehow cowering under his arm to prevent any other agents from seeing and questioning her.

"You know you can't just be roaming around," he said as he climbed up the stairs. "This is a dangerous place with dangerous people and dangerous things. I hope I don't have to repeat myself a third time."

"You think someone in here could hurt me?" Salma threw a cautious glance around while her father unlocked his office using a punch code and a retinal scan.

"You can hurt yourself by seeing or hearing someone, or something, you should not see or hear. Come in." Mr. Rahman held the door open for her.

Salma frowned. It was almost as if her father had been pinged about her seconds long moment of lapse in judgment down the corridor. Her father took a seat behind his large mahogany desk.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"It means I'm now where you wanted me, so let's talk about what you came for," he said pointedly, letting her know the important things have been discussed and that discussion was now over. He looked up at her. "What can I do for you?"

"Right," Salma muttered, clearing her head from the ten thousand questions that were raising heads after her father's warning. "I'll be careful next time," she promised quickly. "So, um, I just wanted to know if I can visit James and Dean? I'm free and it's been a while since we last saw each other."

"And this could not have waited?" he asked, swiping across the screen installed by his desk. "You've also not initiated a request through the portal," he observed.

"I wanted to go this evening, and the portal takes ages to issue a clearance," Salma mumbled, feeling more and more stupid for walking up to her father's office just to know if she could visit the boys.

Her father picked up the intercom and waited.

"Yeah, listen do we have any flags raised against site 3?" he asked the person at the other end. "No, it's just a quick check for a routine visit."

Salma watched her father rub his temples in exhaustion.

"It was supposed to go through the portal but Princess wanted to visit so I thought I'd see if a clearance can be issued?" he said. He listened to whatever was being said. "Risky? What kind?"

Salma's heart sank.

"Alright, okay," her father said. "No, it's best if that is cleared first. Thank you. Oh no, it's not that important. Just a regular visit. Right, thank you. Thank you. Assalam o'alaikom."

He put the intercom down with a click. Salma heaved a deep sigh.

"So, I can't go?" she said moodily.

"You can," her father said, "but I advise you not to. There are a few pockets around that neighborhood that needs combing. Toryal's off our radars. We don't like it when that happens."

"Alright, then," Salma said, feeling bored already. "Thank you, dad."

"No problem princess," her father replied. "Now, don't go wandering around the GCA. The portal will issue a clearance when it is considered safe for you to visit the boys."

Salma nodded and started walking towards the door when she paused. "Can I grab a drink from the café?"

Mr. Rahman heaved a deep sigh.

"Alright," he agreed, "But then you go straight out of the building –"

"Yes, of course!" Salma quickly agreed.

She opened the door but was surprised to see a lanky figure, struggling to balance two boxes of files in his arms.

"S-sorry, miss!" he said as he stepped aside.

Salma's mouth dropped open. It was one thing to hear his voice. It was a whole another thing to have a visual evidence, but lo and behold!

Salma's wide eyes turned to her father. He pressed his lips in a 'well, now you know' sort of a line. Blinking she turned back to the struggling assistant, who had all his attention focused on balancing the boxes in his arms.

"Bring them in," Mr. Rahman called.

"Yes sir!" he whispered, eyes still fixed on the top box as it moved dangerously.

Salma gaped at him as she did a quick once-over of his appearance. Glasses and the service card, take that out and even a blind person could tell who he was.

Salma eyed the blue ribbon of the employee card around his neck, as he put a toe against the door to prevent it from shutting close on him. Shaking her head in disbelief, Salma grabbed the door for him.

Such an idiot!

He turned around with a grateful smile.

"Thanks Miss!"

Salma watched him freeze, his face drained of all color and his eyes went wide. Like her, his first instinct was turn to the man behind the desk.

"Put them on the table," Mr. Rahman pointed to the table next to the shelves that was already covered with several boxes of files.

"Y-yes sir!" he trotted towards the table with shaky, unsteady steps.

Still reeling from running into him, Salma stepped out of the office when she almost bumped into Mr. Tech-Afro.

"Sorry!" both of them said in unison.

Realizing it was her, Mr. Tech-Afro looked startled.

"Miss Rahman, what are you doing here?!" he asked.

Salma was confused by his sudden question.

"What?" she asked.

"Ali Gul, come inside," Mr. Rahman summoned Mr. Tech-Afro before he could say something.

"Yes sir!" Ali Gul promptly replied, and stepped inside without further ado.

"Yes, you can leave now, Stark," her father could be heard saying as the door closed.

The look that Ali Gul gave Jason made Salma realize why the Tech guy had been startled to see her. Salma was not supposed to run into Jason at the GCA.

Salma stepped to one side, waiting. Yes, she had promised her father she would go straight to the cafeteria and then go out, that she would not snoop or wander around the GCA, but, she had just found out her lab partner was a Green Coat and she felt like she owed it to herself to get an explanation. Especially now that he got exposed to her in front of her father.

Jason stepped out of her father's office, head down, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket and looking crestfallen.

"Jason."

The redhead halted and turned to her, still looking a little pale and worried.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Jason let out a sigh, then gave her a resigned smile.

"Surprise, surprise!" He shrugged in defeat.

"It's not a joke," Salma said, unimpressed.

Author's Note:

She got that right! It is definitely not a joke! JASON IS A GREEN COAT?!!😱😱😱 That lil chipmunk🥺

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J.