The Rebellion Within

Chapter 6: Ember Eyes

Asami let out a deep sigh and stared down at her blank piece of paper in frustration. She was chewin lightly on the end of her fountain pen, trying to figure out what to write on her letter for her mother. It's not that she didn't want to, it's that she didn't want to worry her with anything. Debating whether or not to pour the truth into letters, she began writing down her simple thoughts.

Querida madre,

[Dear mother,]

I'm sorry I haven't written to you in what seems like forever, but things here have been beyond busy. Just now, two weeks later after reaching Morocco, I have finally found the chance to gather my thoughts and write to you. Everything is okay and I am fine, no need to worry. In fact, the nurses here at the hospital have been nothing but kind. Morocco is quite beautiful as well, one of the best views I've seen is right in front of the hospital. So far I've been doing great in both my studies and practice. Do not worry for me, the hospital is under the protection of the soldiers. I hope to see you and father soon. Please tell me how he reacted to this whole thing? Has he been upset at you at my expense?

Again, don't worry. I am okay.

Love and blessings,

Asami S.

Twirling the end of the s, Asami finished the letter and just stared at it. Simple and straightforward, the letter was only to start the conversation and to get an answer whether her father was going crazy back in Spain or not. She felt awful about not writing sooner. It's been two weeks since she arrived here and hadn't sent one letter. The engineer wondered what her mother was thinking or doing at this exact moment. The image of Yasuko sitting peacefully outside on their patio having a cup of coffee was imprinted on her mind, clouded by the image of her father yelling at her, asking her why she had let their daughter go to Morocco. Asami winced at this image and focused on the melting wax over the lit candle. Reaching towards her bag, she pulled out the two stamps she had brought. One of them had her family shield, the other was a plain circle. She rolled her eyes and picked the plain one, not only considering that no one knew who she really was, but also because she didn't want to be that extra. She folded the letter and put it in an envelope, sealing it shut with the wax, and stared at it. What if her father opened it? What if he showed up here? She frowned and wrote on the white envelope the general post office address and her mother's. Just as she was finishing, a soft knock and the door being opened captured her attention.

"Hey." Opal's soft voice called out and came inside their shared room.

"Oh, hi Opal." Asami turned around on her chair and looked up at her friend. "Is it the start of my shift already?"

"No, I'm just beyond exhausted." The nurse sighed and flopped down on her bed. "It's like new patients never stop coming. I have yet to check on Bolin today." Asami giggled and got up, reaching for the missing pieces of her uniform and slipping them on.

"I'll cover for you." She tied the white apron across her waist and placed her hands on her hips. "And check on Bolin for you...for the fifth time in the last hours." Opal scowled at her and her exaggeration when she wiggled her eyebrows, but that made the engineer burst into laughter. "Rest."

"You're the best, Asami." Opal slurred and closed her eyes.

Asami shook her head with a smile, pulling her hair up into a bun and placing the headpiece into it. She slipped on her Red Cross armband and walked out of their room, closing the door behind her, and made her way down the hall. The young beauty didn't mind checking up on Bolin. In fact, so far, she loved the soldier and a friendship was quickly developing between them. However, even though she checked on him from time to time, Opal seemed more interested and always at his side; something that Bolin never minded. Whenever Asami was around the area or checked up on him, Bolin would always ask about Opal. She smiled at this, her friend might've found a new love for herself here. Asami on the other hand, was looking for the complete opposite. She would only check on Bolin after she was certain that Mako wasn't around seeing him.