Listen To The Compass Of Your Heart

Chapter 5

After breakfast, Amber went to the hospital as she was on duty whilst Brent drives Jake to the airport where Jake meets his colleagues. Jake is the team leader of the Philippine team that volunteered in Iraq for a medical mission after the war ceased between the government and the rebels. Brent and Jake's family were against it, but Jake eventually convinced them as it was his dream and passion to help those in dire need of medical assistance. Especially those in remote and poor areas that barely reached for medical care.

"Babe, don't forget to eat on time, don't forget to take your vitamins, and your insect repellent, and sleep on time. Don't get sick and... And–" Brent couldn't continue as a lump on his throat built up and his eyes watered. Hugging Jake so tight as if it was the last time he was hugging his lover. Brent trembles and sobs burying his face in Jake's crook. Jake patted Brent's back until he calmed down.

"I love you, babe; wait for me," Jake said, cupping Brent on the face.

"I love you more, I will be waiting for you, babe." Replied Brent and leaned his face forward to kiss his lover. Jake deepened the kiss, kissing Brent passionately before waving goodbye as he was going to the boarding area where his team was waiting for him.

The plane landed at the Baghdad International Airport. There were other medical teams from several countries that were also assigned to various cities and provinces of Iraq. Their military escorts were already waiting for them.

Jake's team consists of a pediatrician, five nurses, three males, and two females. Two anesthesiologists and then Jake as the team leader.

"OMG!" Giggles Nigel upon seeing their soldier escort line up to welcome their team. "Doc, J. They're so hot!" Nigel whispers to Jake. Nigel is gay and his main purpose for volunteering is to nourish his eyes with half-naked soldiers while marching every morning. But of course, he was there to help as well.

"Behave, Nigel, we're not in our country." Mumbles Jake just enough for Nigel's ears. Nigel pouted and straightened his walk.

The team captain salutes them and introduces his team to Jake's team.

"Doctor Jake Bailey Ellis from the Philippines?" Asked the soldier captain.

"Yes, I am and you are?" Replied Jake.

"My name is Aiden Khan, Captain Aiden Khan from the Turkey squad and this is my team." Captain Aiden introduces his subordinates one by one the same as Jake introduces his team to their military escorts.

"Please Doctor Ellis and team," Aiden guided them to the CH-47 Chinook helicopter that was waiting for them and will transport them to Kurdistan province situated in Northeast Iraq.

"Wow! Are we truly going to ride this helicopter?" Asked Shena, the nurse with her mouth agape admiring the helicopter.

"This is my first time going to ride in a helicopter." Said Alex, one of the nurses, while climbing into the helicopter.

"Be careful Doc." Told Aiden and held Jake on the waistline for support as he noticed Jake was a bit limping and almost tripped on the notch while climbing the helicopter.

Jake gulped hard because of the embarrassment and a weird sensation from the sudden contact with Aiden transmits voltages of electricity to his still sensitive body. Aiden's hands were big and hard. Jake could feel Aiden's calluses pressing against his skin over his double pile of cloth. Surprisingly, Jake isn't disgusted by them. It feels different but he doesn't know how to explain nor discern those familiar yet foreign feelings.

"T-Thank you, c-captain." Jake stuttered, he could feel his face heating and reddening like a steam crab. Jake curses Brent in his mind for banging him last night and even doing him in the morning at the bathroom.

"Well, it's my job to secure your safety, Doc." Aiden smiled and Jake blushed even more. Aiden steadied Jake before letting go of his waistline. Jake holds onto the banister for support while mentally cursing himself.

"Oi, Doc. What was that, huh?" Nigel whispers and nudges him lightly.

"Shut up!" Jake glared and pinched Nigel on the side of his ribs which Nigel jolted and giggled at the same time. Aiden sits beside Jake as that is the only available seat. Aiden smiled at him and Jake returned in the same manner.

The dusk began spreading throughout the sky when the helicopter landed at the military base in Kurdistan. Jake's team was guided to their temporary accommodation as it was already dusk.

"Dinner at 7 o'clock at post number 2." Told Aiden pointing to the next post next to theirs.

"Thank you," replied Jake.

"See you later, Doc." Aiden smiled and bid goodbye. Jake feels weird the way Aiden smiles only at him but he just shrugged it off.

Jake and Nigel were in the same room and Nigel won't stop bugging him about Captain Aiden Khan.

"I wonder how thick and long Captain Khan's d**k is– ouch!" Nigel rubs his head where Jake struck him with a plastic water bottle as he blabbers nonchalantly

"What was that Doc.?" He asked, still rubbing his head. "You! We're not here for flirting, and that mouth of yours! Shut it before I stitch it for you. You horny d**k!" Jake scold him

"Said the one blushing the entire flight because the captain was sitting beside him! Tsk!" Nigel blabbers and Jake badly wants to strangle the nurse that is also like a brother to him.

"You know I already have a boyfriend so stop pairing me with whomever you want!" Announce Jake shoving his index finger at Nigel's face. Nigel gasped!

"Y-You!"

"Yes, me! me!" Jake chuckles at Nigel's reaction.

"When?" Inquires Nigel inspecting Jake's engagement ring.

"Last night, I proposed to Brent."

"Y-You? As in You?" Nigel couldn't believe it as he knows Jake declined Brent's proposal before.

"Yeah, I proposed to Brent and we're getting married after our mission ends." Jake flopped his tired body on the bed whilst playing the ring.

"Congrats Doc. Geez, I wish I had a boyfriend too." Nigel marched to his bed. "I'm going to sleep for a minute, Doc." Nigel as he was truly tired. Jake took out his phone but the signal inside was poor. Jake decided to go out to find a better location. He spotted a bench not far from their accommodation and sat there.

"Ah, finally. A better signal." Jake murmurs and calls Brent. Brent was already laying in their bedroom since it was already midnight in the Philippines. Brent abruptly answered In just one buzz.

"Babe? I miss you already," Brent the moment he pressed the answer button. "I miss you too, babe." Jake's longing for his lover was evident on his face. They talk about their flight and Brent keeps nagging Jake about how to take good care of himself until Jake spotted someone knocking on their accommodation. Dinner call time. Jake bid goodbye to Brent and got back to their accommodation.