Perfectly Imperfect

Chapter 17

*Maria Camilla*

For the past thirty minutes, Intels have been going in and out of the meeting room. It has been a week since the escape but I'm still not caught.
Do I really have to wait for that to happen?
How will Carlos and general react?
Talking of Carlos, we haven't hung out for a while 'cause he's really busy with everything that's going on. When he spots me, he nods, smiles or sends an apologetic look. It has been only a few days but feels like a year.

I hate to admit but I miss him.

With nothing to do, I went to the training ground to heat up myself a little before the end of the day and I've decided to go home today, I really miss uncle and aunt.
"Miss, can I join you?" That was Carlos's voice and when I looked up, he was standing close to me.

"Hey," my voice sounded low as I stared down at the stick in my hands, studying the dull edges
"How have you been, it's been a while," his hand was reaching for mine but quickly moving away, I squat down to sharpen the brink.

"Good. How about you?"
He let out a chuckle, his footsteps came nearer until he too was squatting in front of me but I continued with what I was doing.
"Is something wrong?" His hand reached for the strand of hair that was falling off my loose ponytail and tucked it behind my ear.

You know what's wrong?.... I miss you so damn much and you can't figure it out?!

That was what I wanted to yell but I put more force and energy into dashing the stick against the rock. Pulling out a pocket knife, I sat on the rock. One leg up in the angle of forty five decrees and the other on the ground.

Suddenly, I met his eyes staring, trying to understand what was going on but I just looked away and proceeded.
The next thing I knew, he grabbed both the pocket knife and stick away from me but again, I found something to do. Tapping my fingers on the rock.

"I'm sorry," sighing, he grabbed my occupied hand.
"For what?" Thankfully, my voice sounded as innocent as I wanted to make him think that I don't know what he's talking about.
Carlos looked down, so I took that opportunity to move my hands away and get up.

"I have to go now," brushing off the invisible dirt on my uniform pants, I commenced to walk away.
"Maria," his hand wrapped around mine but just in that moment, his cell phone rang. Pulling it out, he looked at the ID and looked at me before I looked away.

"Sir," he said.
"Right away sir" he hung up and our eyes met for a brief moment.
"Looks like even you have to go. I'll be on my way," with a serious face, I turned around and left.

*Major*

Shit!

Maria was angry at me it seems and my body just reacted. Somehow I feel guilty even without knowing why she was mad at me. I tensed and felt a wrinkle form on my forehead.
I'll take care of her later, for now, I have to submit a file to the general.

6:25 pm, I rushed towards the gate of the camp where I spot Fàtima coming in. She was staying here in camp always because her family does not settle here.
"Fátima, have you seen Maria?"I asked hastily.
"You mean Camilla?"
"Yea,"
"Well I just saw her off. You might catch up with her if you run," as soon as she said, I took off yelling a 'thank you' over my shoulder.

Outside the gate, I looked right, then left. There she was entering a cab.
"Maria!" I'm not sure if sh heard me but she got into the car. Without a doubt, I took off running towards the car that started the engine, ready to drive away.

"Maria wait!" This time, I was close enough for her to hear. Her pretty face came out of the window. The cab stopped, door opened and she stepped out.
Dark washed jeans, black sweat shirt, red and black patterned tee with matching black sport shoes. Her hair in a low ponytail as always apart from being inside the camp where every woman has to put their hair in a bun.

She looked like, "mess with me, and I'll show you."
She reached for her bag inside the car while I walked to her.
"What is it?" Confusion covered her face as she spoke.
No word said back, I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards my car.

I opened the front door and gestured for her to enter but she only stared at me. I gestured again for the second time giving her a "No excuse" look.
"Fine!" She almost yelled getting in as I laughed.
"What's so funny?" Once I got into the car, she glared at me. Not the angry type but what was that earlier?

"Nothing. I just.... Never mind," this woman right here was unpredictable. Mysterious, tough, different.... God!
"Wait, why are you taking me this way, my way home is the opposite."
"That's because you are not going home," from the corner of my eyes, I saw her grit her teeth for a moment before slumping back on the seat.

"Are you planning to kidnap me?" I threw her a glance then back at the road as I drove.
"We can be together always that way you wouldn't have to react the way you did earlier because you missed me," I halted because of traffic and this time looked at her fully.

"No I didn't,"she argued like I expected.
"Oh really now," leaning in close to her, she inched away with a laugh.
"You're driving Carlos!" The mention of my name coming from her sounds so unfamiliar and beautiful that I wanted to hear it again.

"What did you call me?" The seriousness in my voice, dropped her smile and an alert expression plastered on her face.
"Carlos," Maria's eyes stucked to mine when my hand reached up to caress my cheek. They twinkled and roamed around me with inexplicable emotions.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you don't miss me," it was so hard to read her when I really wanted to.
"Tell me,"  my lips brushed against hers and I felt her body stiffen at my touch around her waist pulling her in for a kiss.

"Please say it," I said between kisses but she remained quiet.
"Carlos."
"Carlos," she gently pushed me before whispering.
"The kid is watching," when I turned to the direction she gestured with her eyes, a little girl looked at us with a huge grin on her face and her parents too.

"That's a cute little girl you have there," I said that just to cover up my embarrassment but it was true anyway.
"Thank you," the mother replied while the toddler giggled.
The cars in front started moving so I waved at her and surprised I was when she waved back.

"You like kids don't you? " Maria looked outside the window after asking and I have just the perfect way to make her talk.
"Why? Are you planning on having kids? .... We can.....," before I could even finish she cut me off.

"Wait!" I laughed.

"What type of a mother will you be?" Scruching my face, I did only to tease her.
"Are you insulting me?"
"No..... I was just thinking, you pregnant.....," after parking the car, I reached for her waist pulling her close.
"With our child...... It'll be a dream come true."

"And you know what else?" She leaned closer, breathing in my face.
"What?" My smile broadened, expecting her to add more to my dreams.
"God have mercy on your soul," like that she almost jumped out of the Car.

"Hey!"