MISSION 1: Saving You

Chapter 6 - Her Mission

Jillian’s heart fluttered as soon as a particular ranger caught her eyes. Jillian is not really into military men. She had numerous suitors before. Ang ilan ay anak pa nga ng general at mga officer na rin sa Army, pero wala siyang pinag-ukulan ng atensyon. Nang tanungin siya ng ama kung bakit wala siyang pinapansin isa man sa mga iyon ay sinagot niya na bibigyan lang niya ng pagkakataon ang mga ito na maging kasintahan siya kung hindi na ulit susuong sa giyera. Her father laughed because he knew that what she’s asking for is near impossible, but Jillian also knew that is the answer her father actually hopes for.

But now, seeing this particular soldier made her heart restless. She can’t say it’s hero-worshipping. Unang pagkikita pa lang nila ay nakuha na kaagad nito ang atensyon niya.

Jillian never let her eyes wander away from him. Observing his commanding posture as he talked to several comrades. Makalipas ang ilang sandali ay lumapit naman ito sa mga sundalo na sakay sa ibang KM250 Truck. Matapos ang ilang saglit ng pakikipag-usap sa mga iyon ay lumakad itong palapit sa kanila. And Jillian can’t help but notice his confident strides.

Military uniform doesn’t do much for her. She’d seen her father wear that uniform all her life. But seeing him in his uniform in the light of day, this near, is a revelation to Jillian. She noticed the sleeve of his uniform. Scout Ranger. Special Forces. Airborne. No wonder her father sent him to rescue her. His face still covered by camouflage paint but it still does not hide how arresting his features are. If anything, it only highlighted how lethal he is.

“Sir,” tumayo ito nang tuwid at sumaludo sa ama niya.

“I can’t thank you enough for bringing my daughter back safely, Captain Arellano,” bakas ang pasasalamat sa boses ng ama niya. “Umpisa pa lang ay alam kong hindi ako nagkamali ng taong pinagkatiwalaan at pinaghabilinan ng buhay ng anak ko.”

“Thank you, Captain,” ani Jillian, hindi pa rin hinihiwalayan ng tingin ang lalaki. And when his dark eyes met hers, Jillian’s heartbeat tripled. She drew a deep breath and smiled at him.

“You are most welcome, Ma’am.  Sasabihin ko sa buong team ang inyong pasasalamat.”

“Oh. I actually want to thank them personally. One by one. Gusto ko silang kamayan.”

  “You can thank them later, anak. For now, sumama ka na muna kay Captain Madera. May pag-uusapan pa kami nina Captain Arellano.”

“Okay, Dad,” ani Jillian. She decided to follow her father as there are several officers who approached them. Pero bago tuluyang tumalikod ay muli siyang sumulyap sa sundalo at binigyan ito ng nagpapasalamat na ngiti.

And Jillian’s heartbeat nearly stopped when he smiled back.

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“THANK you,” ani Jillian sa Nurse Corps na naglagay ng antiseptic sa mga sugat at galos niya sa braso. “Kung hindi kalabisan, saan ako pwedeng makigamit ng cellphone o telepono? May tatawagan lang ako.”

Iniabot ng nurse sa kanya ang cellphone na kinuha nito sa bulsa, “Pwede mo po itong gamitin, Doktora.”

“Thank you,” aniya na tumayo na mula sa hospital bed na inuupuan kanina. Bukod sa kanya ay may iba pang mga sundalo na nilalapatan ng paunang lunas sa clinic. Mostly ay mga minor injuries lang naman at walang malubha na kailangan pang dalhin sa ospital.

Lumabas siya ng clinic at natagpuan niya ang sarili sa sunflower garden sa gilid lang mismo noon.

Jillian dialled the cellphone number of San Isidro Rural Health Unit. Ilang ring lang noon at may sumagot na sa tawag niya.