Perfectly Imperfect

Chapter 1

*Maria Camilla*

No matter who or what makes you feel unworthy or unloved in this ever - moving world, there is still a place for you.

That's one thing life has thought me and I know, I am exactly where I am meant to be when I stood on the stage, ready to take my oath as a soldier, administered by General De Leon. 

He has always been my idol though it's my first time meeting him in person.

"Raise your right hand." In his voice there was a natural echo which overwhelmed me but I've gotta be serious.

Now that I've met the General in person, I have an unexplainable feeling about him. Something I've never felt before.

It's strange.

"I,  Maria Camilla Del Rosario, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the Republic of Spain against all enemies; foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and that I will obey the orders of the president of the Republic of Spain and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to regulations and the uniform code of military justice. So help me God."

I repeated each and every word loud and carefully.
Loud applauses filled the crowded large hall after my oath.

"Congratulations," General shook my hand with a smile. This moment is true, I'm not dreaming at all. Even if it were a dream, I'll rather never wake up from it even if it means being asleep forever.

I proceeded to shake hands or Salute other officers according to our ranks. For the first time, Major smiled and me so I smiled back with an equally bright one.

After the oath session, I went out to get some fresh air. Looking at the dark and nature in the night, I couldn't help but wonder why life has taken so much from me just to give me only one thing that I wished for.

Some say life is beautiful others say life is cruel but I really don't know what's the right one here.

Maybe neither of them are wrong. Maybe life can be beautiful and cruel simultaneously, just like human.

A person can cry and laugh. A person can hate and love too, just like me.

"Lt. Del Rosario," my head snapped at the direction of the voice.

It was Major.

"That 'd be me," I said, putting my hands in my pockets.

"Where is the respect I'm supposed to get?" He widened his eyes at me and only then did I realize that he's my senior. I'm too distracted.

"Sir," with a salute, I waited for him to greet back but for some reason unknown to me, he kept staring at my position without a word.

When he raised his hand, only then did I return to watching the  dark but this time, with him.

Just as I thought this was going to be awkward and about to leave, he spoke up.

"So..... What's a beauty like you doing in the military?" There was a short pause as I stared into his eyes trying to find the appropriate answer.

"Only if you tell me what a sleek and pretty guy like you is doing here," I folded my arms over my chest as he laughed without a word.

"Major," someone from behind called which caught both our attention.

"I guess I'll see you soon," he retreated backwards, twirling his drink around his hand with a billion dollar smile.

I just nodded with a cheeky smile before he turned away.

Staring down at my feet, I couldn't help but notice the dead grasses beneath my shoes.

Poor things.

****

"Camilla is that you?" Aunt Sara asked immediately after closing the front door.
"Yes Aunt!"

"How 'd it go?" She asked
"I'm officially a soldier," I shrugged and walked tiredly.
"Congratulations," she embraced me in a warm hug just like always.
"Thank you."

"I've made your favorite dishes, plus...... Your favorite cookies," she smiled ear to ear, pulling out the tray of freshly baked chocolate cookies from the oven.

"You're simply the best," I blew her a kiss. By now my mouth has already started to water so I helped myself with some pasta.

"Hmm. Delicious," I moaned with a mouth full, savoring each and every taste of it.

"God bless you Aunt Sara."
"Amen!" She pulled out a chair to sit on.

Her small face fits her perfectly shaped body. Her green eyes were like that of Nicho's.

My best friend.

"Where's uncle?" The door opened just in time.
"There he is."
"Where's our one and only soldier?" Uncle Simón came into view with a bouquet of white roses and chocolates.

"Uncle," right now, I was filled with so much joy that I rushed to him for a hug. If only Nicho was here, then everything would have been perfect.

"This is for my princessa," he danced handing me the bouquet and chocolates while I laughed with aunt Sara.

"You're already old simón, you can't dance anymore,"said aunt Sara.

"Oh really, come and I'll show you that I can still do the things I use to when I was young,"he played some music on the radio and pulled her up from the chair.

"See I told you," I watched them dance and laugh. Such a beautiful view, how I wish I had them as my biological parents but they've never failed to give me all of the love I needed to be here.

They took me from the streets and raised me like their own daughter. I can never really repay them for all that they've done for me.

"Come join us,"

That's how we spent hours dancing and celebrating.

Exhausted, I laid on my bed trying to drift to sleep. I could feel my heavy eyelids but soon the thought of Major clouded my mind.

He seems....... I don't know. Earlier, I don't know if he was trying to flirt with me or if it was just how he was.

Whatever it is, I'll find out since we're both serving the military.