Battleground
1102 Words
On the acres of barren meadow, the destruction is visible. What used to be a lively town, now is nothing but an eerie silence.
The bulky instrument in her hold had taken innumerable still portrayal in her field job, but this time the emotion is different. In every picture Elena took, the lenses captured the trauma paste on each of the civilian faces. Those endless nights of terror, death, and massacres were nothing but stubborn memories. It breaks her heart the most when little children lose their parents to war.
"This is what war brings upon innocence. Sadly, only this war can save their future," Albert said, breaking the silence, putting out the cigar with his leather boots to the ground. Taking out a miniature cedar wood cigar box, he tried to offer one to Elena. "Nah, you don't smoke?" He asked out of curiosity.
"No, I don't. Thanks..." Elena rejected his offer with a polite gesture.
"Mmm... you might need it one day. Our jobs take a physical and mental toll. Imagine covering reports on violence, disaster, and human suffering, ah..." He replied, lighting one for himself. Exhauling a hollow of smoke into the air, he continued, "I wonder how you survive? Ms. Enya is a heavy smoker."
Exactly what Albert had mentioned is true, Ms. Enya, with her cigar in between her fingers, is inseparable, blended in her character naturally.
"Alcohol is fine, it makes me feel better too. So, after all the havoc it brings you, do you still love your job?" Elena asked.
Albert answered once he blew out another puff of smoke. "Hmm, indeed, either an alcoholic, a smoker, or both. When you love something, Elena, you hate it but you still want it, "he explained and chuckled at his joke. The intensity of his smoking habits, represents his stress level, "What about the new guy, huh? Commitment to love is tough, isn't it?" He unexpectedly asked while keeping his steady demeanor.
Oh, so, Enya does talk gossip. Elena held her breath, "Hmm... The name is Theo," Clearing her throat before she finds the right answer to Albert's queries. "Just, well, he just happens to be there. We are somehow in an unofficial relationship. Since I have to travel off here. So, I don't have a definite answer to that."
"Tsk, tsk, I understand. I'm a man, nothing can keep a man to stay unless he wants to. Anyway, Tony had been that way from the beginning." He said, blowing out another puff of smoke into the air.
"Indeed, I'm the only i***t here... While everyone knows the truth." A stroke of sadness was written across Elena's face, the thoughts of Tony's betrayal had her heart aching again.
"Sometimes, we meet the wrong people, to meet the right one, dear. I'm always available too, why don't you try me?" Albert tried a joke to cheer her back.
"Hah, you dummy! Come on, I don't need another sweet talker to waste my time on." Elena unexpectedly landed a slap at his back. Finally, a smile on her profile.
"Cheer up. I hope you are happier. Enjoy your trip here, Elena. By the way, I have enough details on what to put in the documentary. How about you?"
"It should be enough for today. I need time to arrange my writing. Let's meet up tomorrow for the final draft."
"Sure. Come, we have to return. For now, it is unsafe to be around here for some time, the villagers might assume we are enemies."
Albert is eventually familiar with the instability of post-war conditions, he is indeed the best in his job. Elena nodded in agreement, following Albert through the alleyway they had traveled previously.
An exceptionally sturdy quarter ton of camouflage truck is awaiting. Albert assisted Elena onto the truck and settled himself to his seat. The army officer who is in charge of fetching them back to the campsite didn't say any words, and soon only the loud engine accompanied them towards their destination.
The independence day for Xuhetti Country celebration will be held in a few days. The parade is organised in the center of the once broken city, but the desperation is still lingering. At the sight of the outsider, the villagers become silent, the door closed behind, the merry laugh of a few children that lighted the grieves abruptly disappear as if a ghost had just passed by.
Though the war at last offered independence to the country, the anxiety is there, the emotional effect will last.
Yet, somehow, time will heal, and the tragedy will only live in a history book.
The trip back to the military camp took about 20 minutes. They were approached by two armies at the security checkpoint. They were soon allowed to enter once they confirmed their identity.
On their return to the barracks that housed the crews during the period of their stays, a young army their approached them. His name tag stated "Gordon Faith", the badge indicates that he is a Junior Officer in the military rank order.
"Good day, Ms. Elena Silas?"
Both Albert and Elena were surprised at the sudden salute.
"Yes, that's me."
"Your presence is required at the infirmary office. I will be in charge of escorting you there."
"For what purpose was there was she required to attend? I'm just curious." Albert inquired, about his nature of work scope.
"It's an order from the new pharmacist officer, Theo Horatio. He requested to meet her, but we have protocols..."
"Theo? Did you say, Theo? Theo Horatio?" Elena was barely able to stop herself from intervening before he even finished speaking.
Theo, with his unforeseen wonders, had never failed to surprise her, again and again!
"Indeed, I am. I will have to escort you there, due to the protocols. If you can come now, we have to move now." He explained for the second time.
Albert interrupted in between their conversation, curiosity overflowed, "Theo as in,...? Oh, is he referring to the same guy we talked about just now, Elena?"
"I'm unsure, but, well, I hope so!"
"Whoa, you are something, Elena. Is he in the army too? You are cool!"
The officer was confused for a moment, as they seemed to have completely forgotten his existence.
Clearing his throat, "Shall we, Ms. Elena?"
"Yes, yes, certainly, I'm honored. Let's go," Elena uttered, unable to hide her excited expression. "I promise, I will prepare the final draft." She said, turning back to Albert.
"Yeah, I will wait, take your time," Albert replied, waving her goodbye, with his other hand on his cigarette box.
- Writer
