Waiting For You

Rārangi upoko 4 'Globalized Friendships' (EDITED)

4th of February.

"So, here we are," Chris Chang turned from Anne to the cameras, "With letter number two."

"Kai Ora, Anne, for coming in to share with us." Wendy Petrie said with a smile. "Please, the stage is yours."

The studio lights gave Anne the same sense of over exposure as before. She felt just as nervous too. She held the yellow envelope tightly on her lap. She paused and took a deep breath. The speed at which the letter had come was surprising. Only one week. Last night had been hard. She was so, so tempted to open it and read the contents, but she had promised, hadn't she?

Taking the offered paper knife, she slit open the envelope and withdrew the precious contents. Unfolding the paper, she began to read;

Dear Anne,
I hope this finds you in good health. I am sure you were surprised to receive another letter so soon. So much has happened in the last week that I feel I must write to you now. First things first. I have managed to find someone that knows Juan and Nicole. Jaun's neighbor.

Anne paused. "This is wonderful news!" She said smiling at the camera. "I can't believe that Joshua has found a lead on Juan and Nicole!"
"Yes, yes, read on, read on!" Urged both hosts. Anne continued;

The man is very ill, and his body shows signs of torture by the fleeing opposition. He says that many of the people here have been conscripted by the invaders and forced to fight. Something that I have known and feared for some time. If they do not fight, their families would be killed. Juan was among the men taken away by the invading force many weeks ago. The neighbor does not know where they have been transferred to. He knows that both Nicole and Juan's mother were arrested and possibly sent to a prison camp.
I feared that they might have been taken to the prison camp just east of our current location. However, we liberated that area a week ago and there has been no sign of Nicole. I have been asking about, but none of the survivors recall seeing her or Juan's mother. So, news of them at last, and not entirely without hope. That is why I am writing to you earlier than planned.
I haven't had any time to write any more poems. The hospital is so very busy, and we are more than just short staffed. I'll make sure to send one in the next letter.
I love you,
Joshua Hickey.

Anne looked up, confused by the conflict of emotions that were playing out in her chest. Relief that Joshua was still well. Worried, because she could tell by his handwriting that he was rushed and tired. Happy that they finally had news of Juan and Nicole. Fearful, because she knew she could not even imagine the trauma both Juan and Nicole must be living through.

"Wow, that's wonderful news!" Wendy's voice cut through her thoughts, "And it's only been a week!"

"Yes, that's amazing to hear that Joshua could find a lead just like that." Chris added in, "Anne, could you tell us some more about Juan and Joshua's friendship? Where did you all meet?"

The questions stopped the pull of her worry. "Where should I begin?"

"At the beginning might be the best place," Wendy said sipping from her glass.

"It was back during university I think was when Joshua first met Juan."

"Was Juan also studying at Otago University?" Chris inquired.

"Oh, n-no. Juan has never left the Philippines." Anne said "While at University, Joshua was on the university's Esports team. They were training for a match that was coming up at the time in a computer game, not sure if you have heard of it, PUBG?"

"PUGB?" Chris asked and turned to look at Wendy.

"Oh, I think I know what you mean," Wendy said nodding her head slowly. "You do?" Chris asked in surprise.