Rainbow 彩虹

#6: Leaving Jae...

Jae's POV:

We had not spoken a word to each other for the entire day.

We just stared at each other in silence.

What was there to say?

We were going to be separated.

By something deadly.

Something that could make our lives much more hell-like miserable.

Something that could end our relationship once and for all.

War.

My loving dad was not excused.

So weren't Joong and Ze. And their dads...

It was a day of immense pain for all womenfolk.

Their beloved had to be called to battle.

War had broken out.

And nowhere was safe from it.

All men were called up to the army to protect their country.

We were standing at the field where chaos and confusion was raging amidst emotional outbursts, as those left behind were bidding those called to battle farewell.

My dad came up to me, and I hugged and kissed him on his cheek.

Jae: Come back safely Daddy... Mummy and I will miss you... We'll be praying for your return every single day...

Jae's Dad: I know Jae... Daddy will miss you two too... I promise I'll take good care of myself, and not get into trouble...

He pulled away from hugging me and went to bid farewell to my Mum.

My eyes went to Ze who was bidding farewell to his granny with his Dad. I stared at him in silence. Then he walked towards me. We did not say a word.

All the commotion and noise were blocked out from us. I couldn't hear a single thing. My world revolved only around Ze and me. My eyes never left his.

Commander: Gather now men, it's time to get into the trucks! Hurry up! On the double! Your country awaits your protection!

The commander's voice echoed through the chaos.

My eyes started to burn with intense hatred.

Why did there ever have to be such a silly thing as war?

No one's gonna benefit from it.

And everyone's gonna lose something of importance to them because of it.

Why did it ever have to exist?

I hated it.

I hated it for the chaos and destruction it caused.

I hated it for the casualties it caused.

Most of all, I hated it for taking away my beloved from me.

He spoke for the first time.

Ze: I've to go now... The commander's calling...

Ze said plainly, placing his hand on my face, and started stroking my cheek lovingly.

I didn't move.

My pride prohibited me from accepting the fact that the very thing that I hated had succeeded in separating me from him.

Ze saw the anger in my eyes. But there was nothing that he could do to make himself be excused from army responsibilities...

To stop all the pain that was piercing my heart every single second...