Her Soldier

Chapter 10

For the first time in a long time in my life, I was one thing; excited. You know that excitement you used to feel as a kid the night before a school trip or the first day of school, when you could barely close your eyes the night before? Yes that, multiple it by ten and you'll probably be close to what I'm feeling. And it's not even the night before, it's a week before I leave but I still look at the plane tickets in my hand every time that I wake up or before I go to sleep.

I smile as I think about what exactly I was looking forward to; seeing Dudu- meeting Dudu. A small smile grew on my face as I looked down at the white envelop that I received from her, our previous letters to each other were just us expressing our excitement to finally meet each other.

I opened the envelope and pulled out the neatly folded scented paper as I opened it up and looked down at her neat calligraphy writing. Before, I would envision the person writing this letter. I would create this image in my mind of what I thought she looked like. I didn't have high expectations, hell, I didn't even know what to expect. Each time she sent those letters I just pictured a young girl and to me a young girl could look like anything and everything.

I wasn't too imaginative and creative with my thoughts, but even in my wildest fantasies had I not been prepared for her to look as beautiful as she did. Dudu was, to put it simply, as pretty as a picture- beautiful.

I was so nervous. I can remember the day when her face appeared on the screen. I had tried to hide my surprise but I don't think I was too successful. I was taken aback. I couldn't believe that a girl, as beautiful as her was as damaged as the girl in the letters- but then again, looks can be deceiving and concealing of the truth.

She had long curly hair, which was untameable judging from the way she was struggling to calm down the excited mane with each word that she said. Her image hadn't been clear on the camera but even from the blurry images I could tell she was stunning.

She had caramel coloured skin, that the sun had been beating on perfectly to make it seem like she was glowing a bright gold, and her brown eyes were so shy and timid until she got used to me. Her smile was wide, welcoming and refreshing, each time that she smiled I would stare at the dimples on her cheeks that were so deep and I couldn't help but smile with her because it was such a beautiful act that I felt I needed to be a part of.

She was indeed beautiful, that I can't deny, but I've got to supress the emotions I feel that are unwarranted. I might have a bit of a crush on this girl and I need to snap out of it, but I've promised myself that I will never do anything inappropriate. That's why to try to rid these feelings, I've taken up the offer of Cynthia who had appeared at my door two weeks ago, and would do so every night.

~~~Dear Soldier

I know your name is Zack, but I prefer to call you soldier, it's almost as though it's a term of endearment for me. I don't mean it in an inappropriate manner. I just simply mean that I feel referring to you as Soldier is much better than calling you by your name. It's almost like it's my nickname for you.

I can barely sleep at night, I'm not tossing and turning from nightmares (I haven't had one of those in a while, by the way), but I can't sleep because of my excitement for your very soon arrival. I keep biting my mother's ear off about all of the different things that I have to show you, and let your experience.

I have so much planned for us and I know you'll love every moment of it. Isn't this just so strange? That this letter is not detailing any of my past experiences and horrors? That this letter is not some confession like my previous letters? Have you noticed how our past several letters have only been about our excitement for that moment you walk through the airport?

We sound happy, and I believe that we deserve it? Because we're all that we've got and we deserve a little bit of happiness. After everything we've been through, I'm glad that we've found happiness through each other. I'm glad that we've found happiness through this friendship, Soldier.

You have made my life easier for me and that's why my mother has agreed to this. You've made me better, it really does help to talk to someone you don't know about your issues and get it out there. I feel that with each letter, word and sentence that I've written to you, I slowly washed away all of my memories.

I feel brand spanking new, and it's all thanks to you. I don't regret writing to you, and I haven't felt that way ever since you responded back to me.

I can't wait to give you the best, Soldier, to give you the best that I have to offer of my guarded heart and spirit. I pray my mother doesn't read this letter, but I will take you to do the most insane things you've ever done.

We're going to do things that I myself haven't ever done nor felt comfortable to do but I feel that with you coming, since we're already doing something we've never done before, we should carry on and we shall. We're going to go clubbing, we're going to smoke weed, we're going to go sky diving, we're going bungee jumping and plenty more of things that I'll ruin if I tell you.

This is my final letter to you until you arrive on Monday and I will make sure that I am there at the airport with a board with your name on it. I must warn you, Soldier, I am rarely an affectionate person but I'm also quite unpredictable. I could just stand there and stare at you, or I might throw myself into your arms.

I'm not too certain which it'll be on that day but regardless, I can't wait to see you, Soldier. I can't wait to finally meet you.

Have a safe flight, Solider.

Signed off,

Dudu.~~~