REPORTING FOR DUTY

AKI

"Dismissed." Nakangiting sabi ko sa mga sundalong eni-ensayo ko.

Dumeretso muna ako sa comfort room bago pumunta sa barracks para makapag pahinga lang saglit. Alas kwatro na ng hapon kami natapos mag training kaya napagod ako dahil bagong recruit lang na mga sundalo ang tinuturuan ko. Pagod na pagod kong itiinumba ang sarili ko sa kama at napapikit pa. I felt dizzy! Nakakapagod talaga mag train sa mga baguhan!

I heard noises from outside that made me get up. I didn't have a chance to sleep because of noises from different military trucks in the field. Sumilip ako sa maliit na bintana ng kwarto na ito para tingnan kung sino ang mga dumating. I almost had a heart attack when I saw a familiar car.

"Oh my god! Is he here?" I covered my mouth in nervousness.

I took a deep breath and decided to come out and look outside. I frowned when I saw five military trucks parked on the field. These trucks are from the camp where I came from. What is happening?!

Lumapit ako sa isang sundalo na nasa malapit sa akin. "Anong meron?" I asked him.

"Ah Ma'am, dumating po yung buong team nila Captain Vendalle ng delta team." That answer made me feel so nervous.

So, he is here? After a years of not seeing each other. . . Magkikita na ba ulit kami?

"Ma'am Ruiz pinapatawag ka po sa office ni General Orlando." Ani nung sundalo.

Tumango lang ako sa kanya at nag lakad na papunta sa opisina ni General. Nang matanaw ang opisina niya ay kusang bumagal ang lakad ko. I saw Three soldiers standing outside the office and one of them is my cousin.

She happily waved at me and the two of them saluted me. I smile and nod at them. "Bakit kayo andito?" Tanong ko sa pinsan ko.

"Gyera." She simply answered.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa kanya, "Gyera saan?"

Senenyas niya sa akin ang opisina ni General. "Nag aantay sila sayo sa loob." She said.

I knock thrice. "This is Technical Sergeant, Akesha Ruiz, General." I slowly hold the doorknob and open it. "Sir!" Sumaludo agad ako ng tuluyan akong makapasok sa loob.

I almost couldn't move my whole body when I met the eyes of the man in front of me. He was looking straight into my eyes and didn't even blink at once. He is still the same. His face and body hasn't changed at all. He is still stunning, handsome, muscular and looks strict! He is the same as the last time I saw him.

But the way he looked at me, it feels like he doesn't know me. . . He already moved on?

"Ibaba mo na kamay mo." Biglang nagsalita si General.

I blink twice before looking away. Ang init! Para akong aatakihin sa puso!

"Come here." Utos ni General.

Nagdadalawang isip akong humakbang palapit sa kanila. It's so suffocating! Tatlo lang kami dito sa opisina pero pakiramdam ko ang konti ng hangin na nalalanghap ko.

I stood up beside this man and put both of my hands on my back and looked straight. Para naman akong naestawa bigla nang makita ko ang repleksyon namin nitong katabi ko sa salamin na nakakabit sa mismong harap ng kinatatayuan naming dalawa.

I immediately looked down when I caught him staring at me through the mirror. Bakit ba siya nakatingin?

Tumikhim si General at tumayo. "Captain Vendalle's team has an operation in Masbate province. Ipapadala ko ang ilan sa mga sundalo ko na narito para tumulong sa kanila and if you want to come with them, papayag ako."

Pagkasabi ni General nun ay nag-angat ako ng tingin sa salamin para tignan ang reaksyon ni Captain. Our eyes met for the third time but this time, siya ang nag iwas ng tingin.

"Hindi po ako sasama, General." Aniko.

Halatang inaasahan na iyon ni General sa akin. "Why?" Tanong niya pa rin.

"I still have work here, General. They don't need me there at kaya na nila gawin ang trabaho doon." Ngumiti ako. "Permission to leave, General."

"I understand. You can go." Aniya.

Umayos ako ng tayo at sumaludo. "Mauuna na po ako, General..." Aniko at dahan dahan na humarap sa katabi ko. ". . . Captain" Halos pabulong kong sabi saka mabilis na naglakad palabas ng opisina na ito.

I ran to our room and locked the door. I didn't have a chance to talk to Alex dahil mas pinili ko na mag kulong na lang dito sa loob. How can I work with the person I left in my past? Not anymore. Not again.

After a minute of staring at the wall, I received a text from Alex.

From: Alex

Labas.

That's it. Wala nang kasunod pa 'yon. I stood up and walked towards the door. I dialed her number to ask the reason why she wanted me to go outside but it is unavailable now.

I message her, asking where she is bago lumabas ng kwarto na ito. My whole attention is on my phone so I didn't notice I bump into someone.

"Sorry!" I apologize while getting my phone on the floor. When I finally got my phone I look up, "Captain?!" Napatayo agad ako at napaatras. "Sorry! hindi kita napansin. . . Sorry!" Natataranta na sabi ko.

He stepped towards me and held my one hand. He handed me a black little box that made me confused. His eyes is emotionless at halos manginig ako sa kaba ko. "Ano 'to?"

"I'm just returning it to you." Aniya. Halatang napipilitan lang na sagutin ako. He walked away from me as I was left staring at his back.

I opened the little box to see what was inside of it. I was shakingly covering my mouth when I saw a ring. My engagement ring. Our engagement ring.

My tears started to fall down remembering our last time together. The pain that I have felt before slowly flashing back to me.

Leaving you is the best decision that I've made for us. We will only be hurt if we try to resist love without any certainty.

Soon....