The Story Of Soldiers

Chapter 23

After a beat of silence, Juan finds something to speak of.
"I like your accent," he hopes the next question won't get anything smashed over his head, "Where are you from? If you don't mind."

Abina smiles, and it's like an ethereal guardian angel Juan had needed all his life.
"Ghana. I miss my family, but I came here for the military program since it's known to be the best, well, in the world."

"Yeah," Juan says awkwardly, "It was really hard to even pass the entrance exam. Can't imagine how bad the real thing is gonna be."
"Or how good," Abina laughs, "I mean, since the entrance exam was that tough, we're probably gonna come out of there some of the strongest soldiers on the planet."

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Abina was almost right. They both graduated after a few years, but they weren't some of the strongest.
There were stronger. But Juan shouldn't be surprised. He should be used to being below other people.

That didn't mean he was ever going to stop aiming for more.
Juan had always made a point to try and get farther ahead in everything he did. At first, it was to please his sorry excuses for his parents, then it was to prove his doubters wrong, then it was just for himself, then it was for Abina.

Juan strives to be among the best at anything he does.
He did it in school and college, at his work, in the military, and most recently, being the best husband he could be.

Juan never would've thought Abina would love an awkward, stuttering, stumbling mess like him.
What did Abina see in him? That, he had no clue. But she saw something. And especially coming from a place where everyone looked down on him, that meant a lot.

Abina had even mentioned children.
Juan never thought of children. He didn't hate them, but he wasn't exactly fond of them.
That's why he was so conflicted about how to feel when his wife gave him the news.

It was a shock, but they managed to secure a home for their little girl to grow up in.
They customize the house and make it feel personal with the paint they chose and the family pictures hung on the wall.

All those 'family pictures' were either of Abina's family or her and Juan, mind you.
Juan didn't like thinking about his parents. His wife didn't blame him.

Then the wedding rolled around. Abina invited all her family and friends from Ghana, and Juan reached out to some old friends from high school and college who had especially helped him through tough times.

The couple was also sure to invite some of their closest friends from the military program.
Then came wedding preparations. Juan didn't know much about this, so he let Abina do most of the work.