Friday, XXXX
A town at last!! Folks here greet us with such joy, they know we are allies. A sweet, sweet old lady - she looks just like Ma - gave us rooms to stay. They're shabby - but oh! The bliss of warm food and a shower! And, call it what you will, but Unni drank and drank and drank late last night when we could not sleep, and the others pestered him about his life back home - you know how excited people get at the mere whiff of gossip - and he says, "She said no!" We ask, "Who?" but he wouldn't tell us more - Unni wouldn't, though the alcohol should have loosened his tongue. Such high tolerance, could have learnt a few things from him.
Anyway, so Taki says to me, "Sarge, here's a fool in love." We laugh, even I do, though that makes me the worst hypocrite. The beer gets passed around, Unni takes yet another swing, and one of my comrades nick my smoke (no manners, I swear!) then Taki goes, "You should have a list."
Did you know, when people break up from a relationship, they get bucket lists?
Unni gave me an exasperated look when I brought it up this morning, but that may have been because he had a terrible hangover. But still, isn't it good to have a list that makes you feel better? I think my list starts with going home, but they tell me that is not how it works. It does not matter either way, it is unlikely that this massacre will end anytime soon.
In all practicality, we have not really 'broken up.' How do you break up with someone who has forever seen you as a friend? But, Taki says it helps with heartbreaks.
I wonder how we never knew any of this? Perhaps we really, really are too young. And there are younger folks! What is wrong with the world?
I don't think my heart is broken; it beats just fine - though how it does so now is beyond me. But I'm thinking of making a bucket list anyway. Unni tells me he wants to go swimming. It sounds good. For all the dirt and grime we bear upon us these days, anything to do with water is good. Perhaps, next time we come across a brook - for we assuredly will - we can stay in the water a little more. We will have to take turns, some standing guard while the others splash around, but it should be okay.
I should go. The lovely old mother is calling us for dinner. Food is tempting, but she looks so much like Ma, it physically hurts. Look after her, will you? And my sisters. And yourself. And... your spouse, I mean it. I may not be the same person when I return, but I want to return, nonetheless. Mayhaps I'm being selfish, but I truly wish to see you all happy. I wish for so many things now, like I learnt the value of all I had once again.
Dear one, tell them to hold on. I will put this in the letter I shall send you, and I know, you will tell them what I say. You always do.
Sincerely yours,
The Soldier.
P.S.: Three consecutive entries! This is turning into a journal.
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At War
Romance"Revenge by young men is considered victory, but old men who stay at home in times of war, and mothers who have sons to lose know better." -Chief Seattle This is an anti- war epistolary novella written for ONC 2022. Prompts 5 and...
