LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - CHAPTER 37
“Ouch!” Keira exclaimed as Xander pulled out the dextrose.
“Bully!” Keira said next that made Xander laugh.
“What?! I’m just saving you from being too clingy. Sometimes a guy needs space to think. I mean, you have already spread your presence, so it’s time for you to go back and enjoy the training. I’m sure you have left a good impression and it’s enough. Besides, it’s true, you may catch a disease if you overstay in the hospital. It’s not advisable at all. That complicated General has surely noticed your sincerity so no need to work so hard, you sly fox,” Xander explained.
“There, you are done,” he added with a smile and pinched Keira’s nose.
“Why complicated?” Keira asked curiosity could be read on her face.
“Hmm, because I feel that he is a bit complicated. Anyway, you can still visit him and his grandparents once more before you leave. Mr. Lim had woken up and I’m sure his wife has already told him about the pretty lady who is so deadly head over heels in love with her grandson,” Xander teased followed with loud laughter. He loved to tease Keira because he never got tired of seeing her irritated expression.
Keira pouted her lips and left Xander with a crumpled face. She was going back to the Military Academy that day but she would pay one last visit to Zach’s grandfather.
She knocked and smiled when the door was opened by Zach.
“Oh, she’s the beautiful lady I’m talking about. Come here, child, so Grandpa Shen can take a good look at you,” Grandma Terri excitedly pulled Keira, who brought flowers, into the ward.
“You sit here beside Zach, and I’ll put these beautiful flowers in a vase,” said Grandma Terry enthusiastically as she grabbed them from Keira’s hands.
Keira was really happy because Zach’s grandparents were very kind and entertaining. Grandpa Shen was still a bit weak so he only smiled every now and then.
Grandma Terri did almost all the talking, and Keira felt very comfortable as she listened to how Grandma roasted Zach alive about his childhood and funny moments.
She noticed that they never mentioned Zach’s childhood love which, of course, she was well aware of since she had already seen Zach’s personal file. She practically knew everything about him and she was really impressed with her man.
She blushed unconsciously at her own thought, ‘My man.’ She would love to vocally and proudly announce it.
It’s about time for her to go, so Keira bid her farewell and Zach accompanied her out to the parking lot where Keira said she was going to.
Keira paused at the exit door and turned around to face him.
She narrowed her eyes as if she wanted to say something then she sighed.
“General Zach, I told you to not give me answers yet, because I’m really not in a hurry. I also told you that I don’t take ‘NO’ for an answer…” said Keira looking straight into his deep eyes.
“Keira, I…” Zach was about to say something, but Keira interrupted him.
“Stop! Just listen to me now, please. I’m not sure what you will take me for if I still pursue you like this… It’s because I really, really like you very much. I also think it’s already love, so I will never back down and will only follow what my heart is telling me to do. I’m telling you this as an advanced warning, so you won’t get surprised as to what extent I can go. I wanted to be honest with you… and I am very serious with you…” she continued as her face turned deep red.
Then she inhaled and exhaled as if getting a bit more courage by doing so.
Keira quickly moved closer to Zach and tiptoed to give Zach a kiss on his lips before she turned around and ran out of Zach’s sight like a flash.
Zach was left astounded with his facial expression shouting, ‘What the hell just happened? Kiss and run?’
He stood there like a frozen maggot and he was so out of himself.
No one noticed Mrs. Chan who had witnessed how bold her daughter was from a distance.
She was supposed to surprise Keira and pick her up and send her directly to the Military Academy. She never expected to see something like this. Her mother instinct was triggered at that moment.
“General Zacharias Lim.” Mrs. Chan approached Zach who was still standing at the same spot where Keira had left him.
“Mrs. Chan?” Zach mumbled and quickly composed himself and slightly bowed to greet Mrs. Chan who at that time looked very serious with her pursed lips and creased forehead.
“General Lim, will you kindly spare some time. I would like to talk to you about an important matter,” she said in a serious tone that made Zach suddenly nervous.
Zach let out an awkward smile and answered, “Yes, Mrs. Chan.”
‘Has she seen it?’ He mused pertaining to the kiss Keira just gave him as he followed Mrs. Chan who led the way and gestured him to follow.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“Hey, why are you back so early?” May asked Keira when she arrived for their six-hour course. They were being briefed on how to hold a hand grenade, how to correctly throw a hand grenade, and how to get into a safe position after one was thrown.
Keira pouted her lips and replied, “There’s an obstruction.”
She was referring to her cousin Xander and hearing Xander’s name, May giggled because she had a crush on Keira’s cousin.
“If this grenade explodes, please make sure to take me to Yang Global Hospital!” Chirped May.
“Shut up, May! That’s not even a good joke,” Lana exclaimed.
Their usual morning training that day began with a briefing about safety measures at the practice bay. Soon they would be having their grenade using ski||s assessment in the open field when they would be using real grenades.
“The practice bay briefing exists to give you more experience in throwing a grenade before going to the open field,” stated Sergeant Park.
“Learning how to appropriately steady and position yourself so you throw the grenade straight instead of at an angle, like how to get the right aim down,” added Sergeant Cole as the recruits positioned themselves for practice.
“The objective is to throw a grenade so it will land at least 35 meters away from you,” stated Keira lazily.
“I don’t want to hold a real grenade,” murmured Lana that was heard by Torin. They were already at the open field to do the throwing with real grenades.
“Having a real grenade in your hand, to some people, is a scary experience. After all, it’s explosive. Your life depends on whether or not you know how to properly use and hold that hand grenade. It’s a big confidence booster once you succeed.” Whispered Torin at Lana’s ear that almost made her jump.
“Don’t do that again, Lieutenant, please!” Lana hissed.
May laughed and interrupted, “You will give her heart attack. Do that during the real grenade throwing and both of you will be dead!”
“I’ve used hand grenades when I was in Country D. We used them in doorways with improvised explosive devices. For the enemies, implementing IEDs was their way of fighting us. Grenades can also be used within ambushes so that you can quickly maneuver through enemies,” Torin reflected on his own experience with hand grenades as he continued to boast about his hard experiences.
Keira rolled her eyes because Torin was obviously trying to impress Lana by giving her a one on one briefing.
“How nice would it be for Wolf *cough* to do the same right?” May teased because she noticed how Keira seemed to be envious.
“Look who’s coming?” May added before she focused on her own dummy grenade.
Keira turned around and saw Jeru with his smiling face heading her way.
If you look closely, Jeru’s physical appearance was not bad at all. He would surely break a lot of hearts too. But of course, in her eyes, only Zach stood-out in all aspects and only Zach was the sole person who could break her heart.
She could feel that Jeru was trying his best to break the wall behind them, but what could she do? Her heart was already locked up.
“How are you feeling, Soldier Chan? Are you sure you’re already fit for the training?” Asked Jeru as he stopped at Keira’s position.
“I’m already good, General. Thank you for your concern,” Keira answered as she smiled back.
Jeru did not leave and assisted Keira with the training.
May teased her every now and then with her gaze. Keira pursed her lips, thinking how nice would it be if Zach was the one giving her one-on-one training to assure she was safe enough to throw a real hand grenade.
“You have to relax and enjoy what you are doing,” Jeru said with a smile as he encouraged Keira.
The loud noise, the explosive power, the shrapnel flying was heard after Keira threw her first real grenade.
“Pretty awesome!” Keira gasped with a big smile on her face.
She was extremely excited and had a lot of fun, smiling from ear to ear.
She noticed Lana was nervous so she said, “Don’t be scared and make sure you do everything according to how we were taught.”
Lana couldn’t hide the fear in her eyes as she was thinking about how she got something in her hands that can potentially ki|| everybody around her.
“Throw that grenade, Lana. Trust me, there is nothing to it,” encouraged Keira with a wink.
Lana’s eyes finally light up and a big smile curved her face as she sighed and followed Torin’s instructions.
‘Boom!’
“Hand grenades are the basic, handheld, close-quarters weapon that we have other than a rifle, pistol, and bayonet. It allows you, soldiers, to go down range to protect yourselves and your comrades,” Sgt. Cole said.
Next was the high and low walls, where Keira and the others rehearsed throwing practice fuse grenades from the standing and kneeling positions.
“Looked at that smile,” Field Marshal Chan whispered as he watched his daughter from a distance. She was like him when he was undergoing military training.
He let out a long, deep sigh because his wife was too worried about Keira’s welfare and strongly convinced him to do something, so Keira would quit.
He understood his wife very well because Keira was their only treasure in this lifetime.
“I hope you did not get offended. Please understand, Ester, she’s just thinking about Keira’s welfare.” Field Marshal Chan continued.
Zach let out a long, deep sigh and smiled at his superior.
“I fully understand, Sir, and to be honest, I do have the same opinion as Mrs. Chan. I know what I have to do, Sir.” Zach said with a stoic face.
“Thank you, Zach… Don’t worry… I know my daughter well… When she says she has fixed her eyes on things and people – trust me that she has really fixed,” said Field Marshal Chan as he gently tapped Zach’s shoulder.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When he arrived at the Military Academy that day, Field Marshal Chan together with Zach, walked to watch the ongoing training.
Lyra had arrived at the hospital and insisted on taking care of Grandfather Shen until he was checked out, so Zach decided to go back to the Military Academy.
Zach let out another long sigh when Field Marshal left him.
The soldiers were too busy with their training to notice them. Zach also noticed that Keira seemed to be enjoying the training too.
‘He probably knows what has happened at the parking exit of the hospital,’ Zach mused, referring to the Field Marshal.
He was a bit embarrassed to look straight into Field Marshal Chan’s eyes while they spoke a while ago.
He did understand Mrs. Chan. Her words were not offensive at all but sounded more of a pleading to him.
A plea of a concerned mother who wanted her daughter to become someone eminent… and not to be in danger…
He actually did not know how he would react when Mrs. Chan stated her concerns.
[“I know you are a good man Zach. I do like you too. I can easily see why Keira is so attracted – she passionately wants to get you within her grip. If possible, I would like her to finish college and have a proper degree of her own first. I don’t want her to end up as a housewife who knows nothing but how to spend money. She has a lot to learn, and I do believe that she is too focussed on you right now. Her hundred percent attention- her world is revolving totally around you. I don’t want to see her like that. I don’t oppose your relationship with her at all, so don’t get me wrong. If you reciprocate or you are not ready to reciprocate Keira’s feelings right now, can I have a simple request? Please, don’t be too nice with her, if you know what I mean… If possible… can you make her think that you don’t like her?”]
But that was not the part of Mrs. Chan’s words that left him speechless…
[“I know my daughter well, she’s quick-witted and will not stop at anything. I think this request will be in vain in the end… Because that girl is very determined…”]
He intently looked at Keira…
Before Mrs. Chan talked to him, he had actually already made up his mind. He had decided to make Keira Chan think that he h@??d her. That way she might stop pursuing him because if he did the other way and made Keira Chan h@?? him, according to what Mrs. Chan asked, it might not be possible…
He had his own reasons for making Keira believe that he h@??d her…
He was going to leave soon. He would be gone, together with his trusted men, for a long time for an important and classified mission.
In every mission like this one, his life was always put on the line… so there’s no way he was going to accept Keira’s feelings even if he liked her.
He stood firm to what he believed… He believed that if something was meant to be then it would happen whenever the circumstances are right.
“General, why do you look so serious?” Cielo, who suddenly appeared beside Zach, murmured.
“Our next mission details are almost finalized. Do you think it will be possible not to join you this time?” She asked in a jest.
“Are you pregnant? Because the only acceptable excuse is if you are pregnant.” Zach answered nonchalantly.
Cielo did not respond, so Zach turned his head to look at her.
To his surprise, Cielo’s face paled as she slightly bowed her head.
“What? Look at me, Cielo! Raise your head, Cielo Kang!” Zach exclaimed as he looked straight into her eyes.
Cielo bit her nails. That moment Zach knew that Cielo was definitely pregnant because she bit her nails like that only when she felt nervous.
“You don’t have a boyfriend! How did you get pregnant? Who’s the father?” Zach asked in a row.
“That guy, Drey Russo,” Cielo mumbled as she pointed her lips to Drey’s platoon.
Zach’s face darkened, as he was in a rage, thinking Drey took advantage of his friend, he started walking in Drey’s direction.