Kamal
It's getting harder day by day, my men are worn out and tired from the cold hands of war. That's what war does to people, to countries. It reaps out the innocence and soul out of any good thing. We needed a good night's rest and a warm homemade cooked meal right now, alas I only can dream. In the pit of the Arabian desert, we are camped out, in the middle of nowhere just us and the dunes that surround us.
It's been a few days but we are feeling the effects of this mission, sometimes I wonder why I even chose to be in the marine corps, but if I remember the Kingdom and all the evil that lurks around and within I shrink at the thought of what can happen to my family.
It's not even about my immediate family now, there's someone special in my life now, someone I want to build a life with, someone I want to rule with by my side.
Only Allah knows if I'm getting out of here alive or not. I remember some motivational talk Mai martaba gave me, it's still clearly in my head. It was the 1st time he had accepted that his son was indeed in the army and that anything can happen.
We were sitting in his room and he spoke very calmly, his motivational speak gave me hope and it fueled my ambition. He said something about LIFE.
"Life comes at you fast. One day when you are grown up, you'll realize it's not all that glitters that is gold. Trials and tribulations are a part of life, we get tested in all possible ways in our lifetime. What really matters is how you take it when it comes to you, to persevere is all about the survival of the fittest.
Kamal, you always have to prove to yourself first and then the world that you can take at anything and still not falter. Your strengths are deep within you so all you have to do is keep having faith, have hope, and believe in yourself.
You'll make a fine king someday and I pray it's soon before I'm frail and old. I am so proud of the man you are today. An important aspect of life I want to keep in mind is even your family members can hurt you, in fact the betrayal of a family member or friend cuts ten times deeper, you should be a keen observer and a reader of people"
It's like my personal pledge of life, I live by those words. Maybe I'm being ridiculously emotional right now but I miss my parents and there's nothing I won't do at this moment to see them or even hear from them. It's been 2 months since I left base, some of my men wounded and some fallen heroes, dead and mourned. I've recently started having nightmares, after not having them for years.
"El'thuraaj Sir! There's a message for you at the army infirmary, it came from the HQ" one of my men informed.
I was dressed in my khaki pants, white tee, and khaki boots so I was good to go. It took me about 15 minutes to get to the infirmary from my camp. I hated coming here, It's a slap on my face actually, I feel like I am not doing enough to end this mission and get the hell out of here before I lose more men to death and life-changing injuries.
"Excuse me, Miss, there's a message for me I believe? Lt El'thuraaj?" I asked the army nurse at the reception.
"Oh yes, pardon me, Sir.. it was delivered to Dr. Siyaam, she said to direct you to her office. It's 4th door by the left" she replied
I murmured thanks and made my way to this 'Dr. Siyaam's' office. I have never heard of her before, the only female doctor I know here was Maa Naeema and she has been transferred to the military hospital in Tokyo.
I knocked at the door I assumed was hers and a voice called me to enter. Interesting I said but of course in my mind. This Dr. Siyaam is really young and really attractive if I may add.
"Sir, how may I help you?" She asked
"Dr. Siyaam I presume? Anyway, I was told my message had been delivered to your office?!" I asked rhetorically
"and who are you if I may ask?"
"Lt Kamal El'thuraaj Ma'am" I spoke at attention.
"Ooh the famous one..and a hot one at that" she murmured to herself
"Pardon?"
"Umm I mean so you are Kamal, well it's finally nice to meet you, I'm Siyaam Gashan, came in yesterday from the HQ and I was the one who came in with your message, sorry it's actually a letter," she said all in one breath.
"Aah okay, that's very kind of you... I guess!?! Can I please have my letter now?" I pressed and two sets of eyes were on me, not blinking. Ugh!
"Ma'am?" I spoke again and flicked my fingers at her, a bit startled she answered
"yeah sure," She said and stood up to pass me an envelope.
I smiled knowing who the letter was from, my Querida.
"Thank you ma'am," I said and made my way to the door
"oh by the way ma'am, yes I'm the famous and hot one" I winked and exited.
I heard a "Damn! cocky bastard" and smirked. Yes.. that I am ma'am.
12:17 am Base 17
Here I am, a man in love, in the middle night of the night about to read a love letter. If someone told me 6 months ago that I'd be receiving love letters while in the middle of a dangerous and important mission I'd shake them off. I was nicknamed Mr Iceman in the army training school for a reason, now slowly my walls are coming apart. That scares the shit out of me...
"Querido,
I wish somebody could explain to me why our destiny is so cruel, why do we have to be apart for so long when all we long for is to be with each other because that's the only thing that comforts us...
But much as I would like such an explanation that alone would not be enough to ease the pain of your absence, to suppress this sadness I have in my heart and which you can see reflected in my eyes.
To be honest, I don't need an explanation. I just want to be with you soon, very soon, so I can tell you face to face how important you are to me, how happy I feel when I'm by your side and how sad I get when I'm far away from you.
Distance is a cruel thing because I not only miss you but I also wonder if you are doing well, if you are in good health and if your mind and soul are at peace. I'm also curious to know if you think of me, in the same way, I think of you, which is just about every single minute and second, that goes by (and the clock ticks so slowly when we're not together!). I want you and I need to see you again; I want to be with you and make you realize that my affection goes far beyond the words I'm writing to you now. I want you to touch my hands and my face, and I want you to sense in the warmth of my body the deepest love anyone can feel.
Love from
FYS."
I miss you too Querida.. your Kamal is coming.
Soon.
