LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - CHAPTER 23
“I have five to six months of training before enlistment in the Army.” Keira murmured reluctantly because she thought it would be a year.
She was confident, of course, but somewhat there’s also this uncertain feeling that was shouting in her inner self.
‘Where did my confidence go?’ That inner self hissed. Then she smiled and silently convinced herself, “That confidence never left. He will be mine by all means.”
After the ceremony, they were dismissed for a week to rest then they would have to come back and stay six months for the training.
Keira wanted to thank Zach but then it’s inappropriate to do so because the voting was supposed to be confidential.
Her lips curved downwards when she saw Jeru approach her dad with a warm smile, then the two looked at her.
She gave a forced smile and walked towards her father, as he casually greeted Jeru, addressing him formally as General Liu.
“Congratulations, Keira, please just call me Jeru.” He said smiling widely at her.
“But we are inside the Military Base and it’s only proper to address you as General Liu.” She justified and Jeru no longer pushed the matter.
“Alright, but outside, please call me Jeru,” he said, smiling.
Keira nodded and gave him a half smile. She was uncomfortable with how nice Jeru was acting.
He apologized to her for voting ‘No’, justifying himself saying that he did it as he believed that in their line of work sacrifices were superficial.
Keira understood Jeru’s stand of point, so she said, “It’s really okay. You don’t have to apologize, as we all have our own perspectives and opinions. I really appreciate your concern. Please, don’t apologize, I’m fine.”
Keira’s jaw dropped when Jeru smiled sweetly at her as he invited her and the family for dinner.
“Don’t get me wrong, I just want to be friends with you, Keira. So I hope you can accept my invitation,” Jeru explained.
“I see no problem with that, so we will come, Jeru,” answered Field Marshal Chan and left Keira open-mouthed with his words.
Her father explained to her with a gaze as if saying, “It will be rude to turn down Jeru now after what you did, so you should at least show mercy for the man and be nice and polite.”
To be honest, Keira was feeling too tired to argue further. She was hungry too. Her friends were already gone to celebrate with their families.
She looked around and saw Zach having a good conversation with his friends and comrades, so there’s no way she could interrupt and express how grateful and thankful she was to him in a vague way like smiling, blinking or winking.
“Dear, snap it out and let’s go.” Her father, who was silently observing her, murmured. Keira was still young and he could understand well that youngsters nowadays were too bold, unlike their time. They were more blunt and confident in expressing themselves these days.
His standpoint was also firm when it came to his daughter. He always let her experience everything; stumbling and falling down, failure, heartaches, and hardships. All the things that would make her grow and mature along the process because that’s life’s reality and he had great trust in Zach, he was sure that wh@??ver happened Zach would not take advantage of Keira.
……….
“I smell in law’s courtship at the site,” Torrin whispered with a grin. Zach looked at where Torin’s eyes were pointed, but he had already noticed it. Jeru never left Field Marshal Chan and Keira’s side as soon as the ceremony finished.
“He voted ‘NO’ for Keira because he wanted her out from a men’s den where there are so many hunters, willing to have Keira as their prey. I guess you’re an exception, huh? Mr. cold-blooded brute?” Torin said teasingly. He loved to tease Zach and would never get tired of doing so, even if he was like teasing a statue.
“Stop bubbling around on other people’s lives and focus on yours.” Scolded Zach with a creased forehead.
“But my life is so boring! So instead, I am going to focus on others’, more specifically, on yours, my dear friend.” Torin teased.
“What?” Zach asked with an arched eyebrow.
“Haha, your life is boring too, so perhaps, I should focus on the new recruits and turning their lives to hell during the training period, except for my future girlfriend of course.” Said Torrin in a jest.
“Geez, such a stiff fellow you are. If you’re like that our General Liu will surely marry first than you.” Torrin added with a twitched mouth.
Zach had been the hardest thing to decipher that Torin was dying to work on. He was totally shut down and cold.
Even the way he voted ‘Yes’ for Keira…
Geez, Torin shook his head because Zach voted ‘Yes’ and then explained things like he was reading the book of knowledge. There was no feeling at all or any indication on how he appreciated Keira’s character that stood out as to why she should be admitted in the Military.
“Am I competing with him, Torin, as like in who will get a woman first or marry a woman first? You should learn not to rush things… Everything has its right time…” Zach lectured Torin and walked away.
“Wait! Bro… You should also learn to not be a snail who often hides in its shell!” Torin shouted not even sure if he made any sense with that remark.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“What’s with your gloomy face, dear?” Mrs. Chan asked the next morning.
“You have finally achieved your goal on being admitted to the Military Academy, how come you look like uhm not that excited, unlike before? You still can quit early, dear… Study abroad…” Mrs. Chan added.
“It’s not that, Mom, it’s Jeru. I mean I feel like he is acting weird. I clearly tell him how I don’t see him as a partner last night but he smiled.” Keira murmured. She was feeling uneasy the whole last night.
“I see you are worried that Zach might do the same to you like what you did to Jeru? Or is it that you feel bad about Jeru?” Her mom asked, looking closely at her as she was curious what was it that her daughter was pondering about.
Keira sighed and smiled at her mother.
“I think it’s both, Mom. But you’re wrong about Zach… You know I never quit what I have started, so wait for those six months and let’s see how everything progress. About Jeru, I just hope he is sincere with his words that he just wants to make friends and nothing more. But… it’s just that I feel like he is up to something or maybe I’m just paranoid?” Keira said with pouty lips.
“You are too confident about Zach” Her mother muttered.
“Haha, it’s because I always have a fallback plan, Mom… If he refuses this time. There’s still years ahead.” Keira said laughing.
“And during those years ahead he will be well guarded in case I’m not present…” Keira said and left her mom confused. Keira just laughed and added, “Don’t think too much, Mom, or you will age and have wrinkles.”
Her mom let out a weary sigh and wanted to answer, ‘How can I not think that much? You are my only daughter and as much as possible I don’t want you to experience hardships and pain.’
But Mrs. Chan did not voice it out. Her husband was sure that Zach would turn down Keira in the end because of Keira’s age. For Zach, it was a big factor.
She still remembered how her husband said it, “Even if Zach ends up liking our daughter, he will not take advantage of her, given the situation. Their age gap is still there. He would prefer Keira to grow and mature from a girl to a woman first. Zach is the type of man who will not cage a bird no matter how beautiful and enticing it is in and out. He will let it fly and enjoy her freedom first because he believes it will return to him at the right time.”
She asked why he sounded so sure and her husband just laughed at her, saying that it’s a man’s intuition.
……….
“Bro, I’m so excited to come back to the Military Camp,” said Torin as the two were having dinner at Zach’s unit.
“By the way, where’s Lyra? I thought she will stay here?” Torin asked casually.
“She found a new place near the company where she will work,” said Zach.
“Oh nice, she got a job early as soon as the results are up. Being a top passer of the BAR is really something. Like you get to choose the companies drooling over you. By the way, what offer did she accept?” asked Torin, feeling proud of Lyra who was like a sister to him.
“She’s part of the Head Legal Team of Liu Group,” answered Zach.
“What? Liu Group? Do you mean Jeru’s family? The Liu Group? And you allowed her?” exclaimed Torin, totally flabbergasted.
“Why not? It’s a good company and Lyra said that their offer was a good one. Besides, you know I don’t meddle in things like that. It’s Lyra’s call, Torrin.” said Zach with a creased forehead.
“But that Jeru loves to bully you a lot. You know how arrogant that man is and you’re like an encumbrance to him. If he gets to know about it, he might also bully Lyra. Geez, just the thought of it makes my blood boil.” Torrin said full of irritation.
Zach was always calm and never paid attention to Jeru most of the time, so Torin was actually shocked when Zach answered back to Jeru when the latter boasted about owning Keira.
“Don’t exaggerate, Torin. Do you think Jeru will have a lot of free time like that? Besides, you know Lyra well. Is she someone you can easily bully? If something happens, I think you should be worried about Jeru instead of Lyra because the man will surely end up crying because Lyra will be the one to beat him,” Zach stated formally, which almost made Torin choke on his food.
“The hell, Bro, is that supposed to be amusing? I mean, I’m sure there’s humor in that sentence, but why do I feel that something is wrong with the manner of how you delivered it?”
Torin shook his head and muttered, “You should teach me your ways, Bro. I think that kind of thing attracts women more! Crap! I should try to copy you from now on!”
“Start from now and shut your bubble mouth.” Zach hissed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Together with her friends, Keira arrived at the Boot Camp base. They’ve been issued with their personal gear and uniform items and turned in all their personal ‘contraband items’.
“Wow, this is sure real. I can feel it’s real. I’m going to go through a military basic training – never imagined, even in my wildest dreams that I’ll be able to stay here.” May exclaimed as they quickly assembled their gears in the open bay barracks.
Keira looked around and sighed, everything was new to her, especially, the open bay barracks – their new home for the next few months. It’s communal living.
Everyone would know about everything you do and you would know what everyone was doing, that’s the first thing that came to her mind. She was not really used to crowded areas, but perhaps, she could adjust well.
She was startled when she heard a man’s voice followed by the other cadets who rushed and stood straight.
“Soldiers, Salute!” Said a man in a uniform beside him was a woman, then next was Torin or Lieutenant Jang. They were not formally introduced but she knew that Torin was Zach’s best friend.
Then beside Torin was her man – General Zacharias Lim.
Keira smiled, she couldn’t hide her facial expressions on how she adored the man with those glittering and shimmering eyes of her focussed directly on Zach.
She felt Lana elbow her and she immediately copied them with the salute thing and straightened her body.
The man introduced himself as Sergeant Park, who would be responsible for their mentoring as they progress through the daily regimen of training, briefings, physical training, drill, and ceremonies.
Then, he introduced Sergeant Cole who would be assisting him in mentoring, Lieutenant Torin and General Zach who would personally observe and monitor how they progress during the period of training.
“We will be fully hands-on for your training. You’ll be asked to do a lot during the Army Basic training. But you’ll never be asked to do anything you can’t do. If you work hard and listen to your instructors, Sergeant Park, and Sergeant Cole, you shouldn’t have a problem. Remember, literally millions of soldiers have come before you and many of them didn’t think they could get through the Basics. The vast majority of them did. And chances are, so will you. Remember, the last easy day was yesterday!” said Zach who made a small speech.
Torin wanted to laugh but suppressed it as he observed the usual reaction of the ladies.
‘Heck, these ladies! Please, close those mouths!’ Torin wanted to shout out because the ladies were obviously mesmerized with Zach’s handsomeness.
But then Sergeant Cole spoke up, “Close those mouths! You are here for training and avoid any unnecessary thoughts! Focus and don’t mess around or you will personally experience my wrath.
‘Ouch, Old Maid attack!’ Mused Torin amusingly.
Keira bit her lips because she felt attacked by those words that hit her on the spot. Then she stared at Zach.
‘Is he avoiding me?’ She complained inwardly because Zach never even once spared a glance at her spot so she arched a brow.
The Sergeants briefed them for the usual things they had to remember like the usual time they had to wake up and sleep. Basically, it was to-do’s and not to-do’s list.
“Alright, soldiers. Did you get it all?” Sergeant Park asked.
“Yes, Sir,” they answered in chorus.
“Do you have any questions?” Sergeant Cole asked.
Keira raised her arm and when she received the signal to go ahead and speak, she said, “If we need any help or anything, you said that we shouldn’t hesitate to ask you, right? Do you mean all of you here? All the officers?”
May coughed and quickly apologized, then she exchanged meaningful glances with Lana.
Sergeant Cole looked at General Zach, so he could confirm everything himself because, in their previous training, Field Marshal Chan had mandated years ago that Officers should get involved and must monitor the training as an inspiration for new recruits while they were available or not dispatched for a certain duty in the fields yet.
Zach who had no choice but to look at Keira said, “Yes, you can approach all the officers directly for any help about the Military Training but for personal matters we have our Guidance Counselors inside the Military Base who can help each one of you further.”
‘Tsk, tsk… What a cold brute.’ Torin mused silently then he smiled at Keira.
“What General Lim meant on personal matters is like more on psychological and emotional problems. Well, I’m available anytime as long as I can help soldiers in need, we are all available. It’s actually in our discretion, soldiers, to extend our help to the utmost assistance we could give. So don’t hesitate to approach any of us if you need help.” Torin said in a friendly manner that made Keira sweetly smile at him.
That instance, she knew everything would be easy because Zach’s best friend was approachable as she expected.
Torin almost melted with that smile, which made Zach frown in return.
“Lieutenant Jiang, we should go. Let’s leave the Sergeants and the soldiers for a further briefing, as they settle down,” instructed Zach with a blank expression, but somehow Torin could sense the slight irritation in his voice though he tried hard not to show it.
‘Hmmm… interesting…’ Torin mused with a grin as he followed Zach outside.