Aftermath

01

Elite Lieutenant Jung Soojung held her head when the final count on the death toll was announced. This was war, she told herself over and over again. It did nothing to alleviate the growing chasm in her insides, threatening to swallow her whole if she didn't pull herself together.

"Lieutenant?" the shaking Private asked. Soojung traced circles at the side of her head, gesturing for the soldier to continue. "Four hundred sixty-seven soldiers are injured, a hundred and thirteen of them in critical condition."

There were too many injured and less than fifty medical practitioners to save them. Reining in her anger, she turned to the Private. "And the medical volunteers?"

"They'll be here in two hours." She received the folder stamped at the front with their infantry number and opened it, skimming through the names. Without tearing her eyes away from the pages, she waved her hand in dismissal. Only the shuffling of feet and closing of the door marked the soldier's departure.

"Well, fuck."

It seemed like the universe was not done making her life a joke. There, at the end of the page was a hastily scrawled signature of the man she left behind. Like the scent of gunpowder and charred wood, disbelief pervaded her lungs. She did not look forward to meeting him again.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ---

The last two hours were spent crouched over the reports and paperwork Soojung was tasked to finish. She needed to be out there. She needed to do something apart from sorting documents but she lucked out when she was assigned to a misogynistic asshole who hated having women in his infantry. She became nothing more than just a glorified secretary.

Her back was aching with unreleased tension when another soldier spoke from outside the tent to inform her that all officials were to greet the incoming medical volunteers. Yes, she dreaded meeting him again but if it meant having a short reprieve from the torture she undertook, it was, by all means, welcome. It couldn't be that bad, right?

With her back ramrod straight, Soojung noted how quiet the crowd had been. She was greeted with nods and a few salutes from those who ranked below her. The Colonel gave her a once-over and frowned, turning away as if he couldn't bear the sight of her. The feeling was mutual.

The plane came in a rumble of engines and fans that kept it aloft as it descended. It glided over the tarmac and came to stop a few feet from where the military officials, including Soojung, congregated. She fought the urge to crane her neck to get a good look even though she was already at the front.

He was the last person to exit the plane. He changed a lot but she'd recognise him anywhere. A strong breeze from nowhere blew and tousled his brown hair, exactly in the shade of how she loved her coffee. In the golden light of the setting sun, he looked ethereal and glowing. He must've grown around a half-foot tall since the last time they saw each other. If he was adorable then, handsome would be an understatement now. Gone were the baby cheeks she used to pinch, replaced by a sharp jawline accentuating his sharp nose.

One by one, they were introduced. Soojung hid her trepidation with a mask of professionalism when he came up front to say his name.

"Oh Sehun." He extended his hand. Soojung was professionally shaking his hand when he pulled her close. With eyes wide, she felt his warm breath on her ear, whispering. "But you already know that. Nice to see you again, ex."

Yep, the universe was definitely screwing with her.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ---

To say Sehun was amused with how Soojung received him was understatement. He fought off a smile whenever she avoided his eyes. Stars above, he missed her. She had always been spontaneous with her decisions, a free spirit who needed to be out in the world instead of being tied to urban life. When she took off with nothing but a three-line letter, he understood. He could even recite it from memory.