Military Members

Chap. 2

Flashback on

A few days ago. During the day when I was planning to buy new acrylic paints and brushes, I met him at the bookstore. At first I didn't recognize him, so I didn't greet him.

I assumed he seemed to know where I was. He walked towards me. I who still didn't realize it just acted indifferent.

"Uhm ..." he cleared his throat beside me, gesturing to speak.

I who still don't recognize him just act as if there is no one beside me.

"Hey," he said while poking my shoulder.

I, who was looking at the brush, faced him.

"You called me? So sorry, I don't know you." I answered.

"Is that so? All right, let's get acquainted. My name is Romy," he said, sticking out his hand.

"Geez"

"What's the matter? What's wrong with my name?"

"No, that's not the matter,"

"Sorry, I didn't recognize you earlier." I continued.

"It's okay, your name is Julie, right?" he asked.

"Right, how are you?" I asked pleasantly.

"Hm, good news, how about you?" he asked back.

I lowered my face for a moment, it occurred to me about the matchmaking.

"Hm, as you can see now,"

I decided to answer, shrugged, then looked up.

Romy noticed the change in my face, which suddenly became dark, as if it were hung by black clouds. He immediately changed the subject.

"What are you doing here, by the way?"

I lifted the brush and acrylic paint which I held.

"This is what I bought, you? What will you buy?" I asked.

My usual cheerful expression returned. "Oh, I was just looking at a book about aviation." he replied.

"Have you finished choosing?" he asked. "Yes, what is it?"

"Come on follow me"

He pulled my hand out of the shop after paying. My heart skipped a beat when he held my hand. His warm palms, fine fingers. I kept staring at his hand that was holding, er, wrong, dragging my wrist.

Then he let go of his grip, because the streets weren't as busy as before.

I followed behind him.

"Hey, where are we going?"

He did not answer my question. He just kept walking until we came to the shore of the lake.

"Come on, over here." He sat on the grass, then patted the grass beside him.

I moved to sit next to him, facing the lake.

"This lake has been my favorite for a long time. It's called Lonely Lake. Usually, when there's a problem or I want to be alone, I'm always here."

"Hmmm..."

"Beautiful view, right?"

"Hmmm..." I just enjoy the beauty of the lake while responding 'hmmm' to Romy.

"Hey, do you like painting?" he asked.

"Yes, I like painting and making handlettering. That's my hobby and my job. What's your hobby? Or maybe a goal? We can share stories here."

"I want to be in the military for aviation. I want to be the pilot."

I turned towards him.

"Why do you want to get into the military for aviation?" I asked.

It was actually a difficult goal, because only recruits from one village were ranked in the top six from the exam. That, too, took the exam for all young people in the village. Two ground military personnel, two marine military personnel, two more from the flight.

"I feel, when we board a plane or helicopter, even if it is a fighter plane, I feel as if I have no more burden on my life. I am free to go anywhere. Can fly up and down, right and left, can do circling attractions. It's fun. Once. Can feel freedom like a bird flying through the sky."

He looked up at the red and orange sky. There was a glimpse of sad look on his face. Looks like he's trying to hide his sadness.

"Hmmm, did someone burden you that much?" I asked, courageously.

He turned to look at me. His dazzling clear blue eyes stared down at my beaded eyes. It was not a gaze, it was a gaze of sorrow. Then he looked back at the surface of the lake water, his gaze blank.

I waited for him to speak. But it looks like he will never speak up.

Instead of just being quiet, I decided to speak. "Hey, whatever it is, if you're not ready to say it, don't say it. I can tolerate it, because we only met a few days ago. Don't worry." I rubbed his shoulder, reassuring.

"Hmmm..."

"All right, now it's late, I'll take you back. It's not good for girls to walk alone in the evening." He looked at me.

"Hm ... Alright, come on!" I answered.

We got up from where we were sitting, then walked towards my house.

"Hey, by the way, I've never met your sister, what kind of person is she?" I started a conversation while we were walking towards my house.

"Hmm ... In my opinion, her face is cute, but she is a very talkative person and likes to tease people. Whether it's her friend, me, even her mother she is ignorant too. What a strange hobby." he explained with a smile.

"If I hear it from the way you describe her, it looks like she's a very excited and funny person, huh?"

"Well ... I see ... Sometimes she can joke to the point of crossing the line, making people panic, upset or angry. When she's not home, it feels like my house becomes like a grave. Because he's usually the loudest at home."

"Hm ... I see, huh ... It must be nice to have a younger sister huh?"

"Not really,"

A few moments later, we arrived at my yard. When I was about to leave where I stood, he held my wrist.

"Wait a minute," he asked me.

"What is wrong?" I asked him.

"What if we meet tomorrow at the fountain downtown? I have something to give you." he said.

"Hm ... Alright. How about 9 am?"

"OK, 9:00 am, all right?" he held out his pinky finger.

"Agreed." I greeted his little finger, smiled, then we intertwined our little fingers.

He smiled back at me "Don't forget, okay? I'll wait."

"All right, I'll try, bye, Romy, thanks for taking me home, take care!"

"No problem, see you!" he smiled.

I smiled back at him, then turned to walk towards my house, and turned the doorknob.

At that time, I did not know what would be waiting for me behind the door. I don't understand that the situation can change what will happen in my future.

I pushed open the door and was stunned, finding ...

INTERMEZZO

Romy: Hey, Julie! 😯

Julie: Hm? 😕

Romy: Why are you stunned after pushing the door? 🧐

Julie: Hm? Oh ... that ... I got--😯 *Interrupted.

Author: Ssshhhh.....!🤫 😉

Julie: Oh... Hahah... You're the Author! Nosy...😅

Romy: Issshhh... What are you girls hiding from me? 🧐

Author: Who is hiding something from you? 🙄

Romy: So why did you stop Julie from mentioning it? 😕

Author: Because later the viewers will know the answer. 😁