Unbreakable Duty

The Three Stooges

Fahlada was awakened by the sterile scent of antiseptic and the faint beeping of medical equipment. The harsh lights overhead made her squint as she slowly came to her senses. Pain radiated from her side as she tried to move her body, reminding her that she was alive. Barely.

She took a deep breath, wincing as her ribs protested whenever it expanded. As her eyes adjusted, she realized she was in a private room, the emblem of the Royal Thai Armed Forces adorning the wall opposite her bed. The room was quiet, except for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor next to her bed.

Lada's thoughts drifted to the last thing she remembered. The fight, the gunshots, and Earn's terrified face. Panic seized her as she wondered if Earn was safe, but before she could dwell on it, the door to her room creaked open.

Two familiar faces peeked in - Bow, with her ponytailed hair and mischievous grin, and Tan, tall and stoic but with warmth in his eyes. They both wore their military uniforms, but the tension of the battlefield had been replaced by concern and relief.

"Look who finally decided to wake up," Bow teased as she entered the room, carrying a plastic tub with a bright yellow lid. "We were beginning to think you'd sleep through the entire recovery."

Tan followed her in, his eyes scanning his best friend for any sign of discomfort. "How are you feeling, Captain?" he asked, his voice softening as he approached the bed.

Fahlada attempted to smile, though it came out more as a grimace. "I've been better," she said, her voice raspy. "and alive."

"Well, that's what matters," Bow said, setting the tub down on the small table beside Fahlada's bed. "With that pierced inferior lobe to your left lung, I thought we'd send out a party for you to the grave." Bow jokingly said, but the concern displayed in her eyes was evident to her best friend. "And look what we brought you. She gestured to the tub with a dramatic flourish, her grin widening.

Fahlada raised an eyebrow, eyeing the tub warily. "What's in there?"

Bow's grin turned into a full-blown smirk as she popped the lid off, revealing the unmistakable yellow flesh of durian fruit. The strong pungent odor immediately filled the room, making Fahlada wrinkle her nose.

"Durian?" Fahlada asked, unable to hide her disbelief. "Really? I was expecting you guys will at least bring me a decent congee or Tom Yum."

"It's a joke, Lada. You're Tom Yum is coming." Tan laughingly explained. "You know, because you are tough on the outside but mushy on the inside."

Bow leaned in, her eyes gleaming in mischief. "Especially when it comes to a certain someone."

The young captain felt her cheeks flush, a rare occurrence for someone as disciplined and composed as she was. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, though the heat in her cheeks betrayed her.

"Oh, come on, Lada," Bow said, plopping down in the chair next to the hospital bed. "We've seen the way you look at her. You think you're all stoic and unreadable, but the three of us have been communicating with our eyes for years now, captain. We know better."

Fahlada looked away, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest at the mention of Earn. "She's my assignment. My job is to protect her, nothing more."

"Sure, sure," Bow said, waving her hand dismissively. "But we also know you still have a soft spot for her. You can't fool us."

Tan nodded in agreement, though his expression was more sympathetic. "It's okay to have feelings, Lada. You're only human."

Fahlada sighed, leaning back against the pillows. "It doesn't matter. Even if I did still have feelings for her, it wouldn't change anything. I have a duty to fulfill."

Bow rolled her eyes, but there was affection in her gaze. "You and your duty. Sometimes I wonder if you're even capable of letting yourself happy."

"Bow," Tan said gently, giving her a look that told her to ease up. He turned back to Fahlada, his voice soft. "We just want you to know that we're here for you, no matter what. You don't have to go through this alone."

Fahlada felt a swell of gratitude for her friends, the only people who knew her well enough to see past her stoic exterior. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice sincere. "Both of you."

Bow grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Well, if you ever decide to stop being stubborn and admit your feelings, we'll be here with popcorn and front-row seats."

Fahlada chuckled, the sound surprising even her. "I'll keep that in mind."

The three friends fell into a comfortable silence, the tension from earlier easing as Lada eats the Tom Yum ordered by Tan while chatted about lighter topics. Bow and Tan filled her in on the latest gossip from the barracks, the ridiculous antics of their fellow soldiers, and the small victories they had celebrated in her absence.

But as they talked, Fahlada couldn't stop her mind from wandering back to Earn. She wondered if she was okay, if she was safe. If she was thinking about her.

"By the way," Tan said suddenly, breaking Fahlada's train of thought. "Earn's been asking about you."

Fahlada's heart skipped a beat. "She has?"

Bow nodded, her expression turning serious for a moment. "She's been pretty worried. Kept asking the doctors when you'd wake up. She even wanted to stay here, but the General's men wouldn't let her."

"By the way, seriously? Earn have ten private bodyguards in your replacement." Tan added.

Fahlada felt something tugging inside her at the thought of Earn being concerned for her. It was a strange feeling, one she wasn't familiar with how to process. She was used to protecting others, not being the one who needed to be protected.

"She's probably feeling guilty," Fahlada said, trying to brush off the weight of the emotions building inside her. "She's not used to being in danger like that."

"Or," Bow said leaning forward with a knowing look, "maybe the heart remembers to care about you more than she realizes."

Fahlada didn't respond, but her mind was racing. Could it be possible? Could Earn now see her as more than just a protector, as more than just a soldier?

Before she could dwell on it, the door to her room opened again, and a nurse stepped inside, holding a clipboard. "Captain Thananusak," the nurse said with a polite smile, "you have another visitor. Shall I let them in?"

A/N:

Tah Dum! Yeah, yeah. What did I just write? I know you are confused right now. I am also confused. My line of thoughts just goes over that plot (if you already got the clues written somewhere there). If you only knew how long I stared at my hanged jacket thinking how this story would run after what I have written. Well, things will be explained next chapter.

Also, I just love these three's friendship. Bow and Tan are perfect friends to Fahlada. The reason why I dedicated a chapter to them.

Aaaannnddd.. who do you think visited our captain? Feel free to write down your comments and what you think will happen next. Till the next chapter! Ciao!