JR SWAT 4: JunIor AdVocates

Chapter 11: In the capital

Minutes before, Washington Reagan National Airport...

Sigh. Another Sunday, gone. Wasted. It felt weird to spend the entire day without her. They had done so much it kinda became a routine. All so perfect, drawn out of a fairy tale. Sundays were for markets, park and lunch. However, today it wasn't. Now, he swiped and swiped and swiped. Random pics he shot of the open market they passed by before stopping at the airport. Happy faces in the crowd enjoying the flowers, the fruits, the music...the setting was so lovely!

"Didn't know you loved the market so much!" Hondo's voice interrupted his gaze.

Tan immediately straightened up and pulled his phone away. He was so embarrassed.

"What?" he asked tried to act innocent.

"You realize there's a reflection in the window, right?" Hondo said pointing at the glass window next to Tan.

The older officer chuckled and shook his head, while adjusting his seatbelt. Tan took a look at the window, then frowned him.

"You spying on me, Hondo?" Tan asked suspiciously, staring at him.

"You make it too easy!" Hondo answered with a smile. 

The voice of the captain interrupted their conversation, as he announced they were ready for take off. Hondo sat back, closed his eyes and took a very deep breath. Meanwhile, Tan couldn't help but to reminisce.

SSSSWWWWWIIIISSSHHHHH

Once in the air, Hondo eased off in his seat. He didn't open his eyes, but he knew very well his teammate was still in his mind trip.

"You alright, Tan?"

The younger officer turned his neck and frowned. Hondo opened his eyes slightly and got a look from the corner of his eye.

"Yes, sir." he responded with a nod.

"I ain't asking as a sergeant. I'm asking you as a friend." Hondo said, finally opening his eyes and staring at him. "Are you alright?"

Tan took a deep breath and bowed his head. It took him a second to respond, "Papers are signed. It's official."

Silence.

Sigh. Hondo slapped him playfully on the arm and said, "It's gonna be okay, man."

"I just- I can't comprehend what happened!" Tan said frustrated.

"Sometimes awful things happen to good people, Tan. Life is unpredictable!"

"Just...it doesn't make sense!" Tan added shaking his head in frustration.

"Did you see it coming?"

"Not at all! I mean, I thought we were fine, you know?" sigh. "A day like today -Sunday- we would hit the market. Spend all morning at a market, smelling flowers, doing small talk, getting a latte or something, enjoying sweets, maybe getting some fruits. Then, we'd grab lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon going to the mall or the movies. It became my favorite and... I thought hers too. I didn't know she was in agony!"

"Why do you think that?" Hondo asked confused.

"Because when I finally confronted her -when we actually talked- she told me all those times she was just trying to convince herself she was still in love with me." sigh. "It was all a show!"

Hondo shook his head quietly, listening to his teammate and friend. He hated how hurt he sounded. "I'm sorry, man."

"After the op that got us kidnapped, I vouched to work things out in my life. To make the stuff that was priority really my priority. Work wasn't one of them, but she was. I was determined to go back to when we started dating. You know? Rekindle our relationship!" sigh. "But the times she was with me, I never noticed her uneasiness. Now that I think about it" he paused, "she acted out the script. Told me what I wanted to hear, did what I expected her to do."