Kabanata 02

𝙺𝚊𝚋𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚊 02

Victory Ball

"One, two, three, one! One, two, three, two! One, two, three, three! One, two, three, four! One, two, three, five! One, two, three, six! One, two, three, seven! One, two, three, eight! One, two, three, nine! One, two, three, ten!"

I'm panting so bad as we finish having a push up with my teammates. Alas tres palang ng umaga, pero pawisan na at hinihingal na kaming nag e-exercise sa field.

After the long months of training, this will be our last day of training bago ang victory ball namin mamayang gabi. Just by thinking about it, excites me.

At last! Lahat ng pagod at sakripisyo namin ay matutupad na rin.

"Cadet. Monroeville, lead your team to the barracks and do some cleaning," mautoridad na utos ni Major Eliazar sa akin.

"Sir, yes, Sir!" I salute to our Major before he left us and let me lead my team. I'm the tallest among our squad, kaya ako ang naging platoon leader.

"Atention!" tawag pansin ko sa mga nagpapahingang kasamahan, na agad namang tumalima nang magsalita ako.

"Cadets, as you heard what Major Eliazar said, we need to do some cleaning in our barracks. And we also need to ready the venue for the victory ball later. We are the one who assigned in that particular area, so we must do it now. Understood?"

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am!" actively, my squad answered me like I am really the highest one.

"Okay, attention," I stand snappily as I order my team. "Tunton kanan, na!..... Handa... harap! Harap patalikod, harap! Dismiss!"

"Thank you, Ma'am!" my squad shouted as they walk towards our barracks.

Pagod man ang mga katawan, pero halata sa mga mukha ng kasamahan ko ang saya at excitement na nararamdaman, katulad ko. That's what we're waiting for, and finally, maaabot na namin ang pinaka asam-asam na pangarap.

"It feels so proud to think na matatapos na natin ang training mamaya," my teammate, Alaister is currently fixing our sheets, looks so happy and excited.

"Damn! I am so excited! I know my parents will surely proud of me!" dagdag ni Talia sa sinabi ni Alaister.

"Susunduin ako ng family ko paglabas dito! I'm excited to see them, I missed them so much!"

It saddened me. Buti pa ang mga kasamahan ko may sasalubong paglabas nila dito sa training ground, but I don't have one. It hurts for me tho, but it also motivates me.

'I am doing this for dad, surely, he's so proud of me even if he can't see me wearing my complete uniform, yet,' alo ko nalang sa sarili.

"Are you okay, Laney?" I smile weakly to Talia and nod.

"Yeah. I just... miss my dad," mapait na saad ko kaya bahagyang ngumiti ito sa akin.

"I'm very sure, he's so proud of you. Kahit ako, sobrang proud ako sayo. You deserve all of this."

Talia is a very good friend to me. Never did she judge me and always comfort me when I'm sad and misses my family. Talia becomes my family here, and so as my teammates.

"Congratulations to our newest graduates in Air force!" Sabay-sabay na pumalakpak ang mga seniors namin matapos na sabihin iyon ni Major Eliazar.

"Calling for the message of our Lieutenant Delaney Adair Monroeville."

A loud applause welcomed me as I walkd towards the stage. I look so intimidating in my complete Air Force uniform. I saluted to my senior before I stand straight and give my message to my fellows.

"This is not the end of our journey, intsead, it is just the beginning. We, cadets and lieutenants, are here to show up to the people that we're here, ready to help anytime. I am so thankful that I chose my passion over anything. It may be sound and look so dangerous, but it's our hearts who's calling us to do this. We trust our selves that we can do this. With the help of our seniors, majors, captains, and generals, thank you so much for trusting our capabilities of helping others. As a cadet and lieutenant, we bow to ourselves that we are willing to sacrifice our lives for the sake of our nation. Again, congratulations to us, good evening and thank you."

A loud of applause welcomed me again, as I swallow hard to stop my tears from falling. It heated the corner of my eyes, but it didn't stream down. We're trained to be strong, and crying wasn't in our option.

"Again, congratulations Air Forces. Toss for the successful training!"

Major Eliazar's voice echoes in the venue, kasabay noon sigawan at tawanan na pumuno sa buong hall. The party get started and everyone looks so happy as they let theirselves eaten by the happiness they're feeling right now, while, I'm in our table, smiling widely while watching everyone happy.

This is the beginning of my dreams. I'll promise to you, dad. And now, her I am, tinutupad ang aking pangako.

You may be not here, not able to see and hear your voice congratulating me and saying you're proud of me, but I know, in my heart, you are. You are very proud of me.

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𝑮𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒀𝒐𝒐𝒐 ♡♡♡