"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 whatever 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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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