Chapter
10
It has been three months since my fateful operation. Surviving on
one kidney didnt seem to invite any further hindrance into my
daily life, apart from that subconscious fear of NKF glooming at
the back of my mind, should my other healthy one fails me.
Life was also wonderful ever since I went back to work. I was
promptly downgraded and now dealing with administrative work. The
medical officer revealed that if my condition was discovered
earlier, I wouldnt even have gone through all those cheong sua. In
retrospect, although regimentation was strict and training was
tough, I was glad that I have survived all that was thrown into my
path. More importantly, with all the friends I had made during my
inaugural journey in BMT and RSAF, it will still be the route I
would opt for, should I have a choice.
At the same time, Angeline and I became very good friends
too good
to be true actually. I have never picture such possibility of
engaging with a member of the opposite gender at that sort of
level. It was a breakthrough from previous levels, almost to a
point where I could safety tell myself that I am hopelessly falling
for in love with her.
The feeling was mystically intimate yet shrouded with an aura of
comfortable serenity Angeline was emotionally close to me, yet
awkwardness has never sunk in.
We never felt weird in each others presence.
Today is the day where I had to go to NUH for a medical check-up
and we have decided to meet up, since she was just nearby. At
first, I was a little reluctant as I was donning my SAF number four
uniform and I hated the notion of wearing military attire into
public places. I didnt want Angeline to see me in that NSF state,
but I dont really have any alternatives as I was involved in a
mobilization recall and had to go back to camp after my
appointment.
I waited placidly at my specialist clinic for her arrival. I put my
appointment card in a transparent square box and sat near the
reception, knowing that the nurses will call me anytime.
Cloud Lin Jiashun
Yes yes
To be frank, I hate people to address me by my full name.
Please wait over there; you will need to take blood test.
SHUCKS!
Moments later, in the midst of drawing blood, my phone rung and
instinctively I picked up the call.
Where you?
Wah bad timing
I am drawing blood
wait!
I came out of my room and Angeline was at my 0840hrs position.
Because she was so blind, I had to wave frantically to catch her
attention. Obviously, my feat attracted some of undue attention and
only after she sat beside me (waiting for payment it was free for
civil servant of course), I began to realize why people are staring
at us; she was wearing her NYP nurse uniform and I was in my number
four. I suspected that it was this combination that fueled the
strange aura we exude to outsiders.
Somehow, putting two people in uniform of different settling looked
very drastic. I dont know how to discern this strange phenomenon,
but my guess was: neither does people. And so the staring continued
with everyone we passed, until somehow it became quite
irritable.
Shortly, we left NUH and walked towards the bus stop. I understand
that it was home after work for her and luckily, we are on the same
direction. Suddenly, I saw this particular NSF wearing number four,
in the same bus stop. Likewise, he was observing us.
See
everyone is looking at us
Yah lor
why ar?
Because of our uniform la! You see that guy over there? I bet he
must be thinking how on Earth did I managed to hook up a nurse
while having my medical appointment.
We laughed and I could see Angeline stealing a fraction of a second
to catch the mans expression.
I am going to tease him? I whispered softly to Angeline.
How?
Just look shy and bashful. When I give the signal, shake my hand
likewise.
Finishing my statement, I could see Angeline trying to portray that
chaste, innocent and virginal expression, which almost swept me off
literally (Ok, I swear that wasnt part of a greater plan to
fulfill my possible unconscious fantasy). Regaining myself, I
stretched out my hands and we shook, as if I was attempting to know
her.
Nice to meet you, I said, notably loud.
Instantaneously, I could see the NSFs eyes almost bulged out of
its socket; his mind was probably left dangling with exclamation
marks and I-dont-believe-this expression. It was simply too
hilarious for me to contain and thank goodness, our bus came. We
exploded with roaring laughter when the bus left and as again, the
undue attention returned.
See? I was right! I knew he would react that way!
Maybe it is just him la
Sigh. Maybe. Actually, I wasnt surprised at his reaction; national
service kind of degenerate our social life - not many girls to know
(or ogle) at camps. To stir deeper thoughts; many guys broke up
their relationship while serving the nation. Not too sure about the
actual reason/s, but perhaps one of it would be the lack of time to
spent together like before.
And lack of understanding?
Loyalty to country - the first core value of SAF - but whats left
for these guys is emotional desolation. Loyalty to country probably
meant certain degree of personal sacrifice, but I believed this is
opened to interpretation. I heard of cases, from my ex-sergeants in
BMT, about people gunning themselves over failed relationship. They
cannot handle the psychological impact when their girlfriends left
and in midst of this madness, folly occurred.
So sad
In that split second, the image of Vicky slipped into my mental
frame. Old memories stirred old wounds; I discovered that I was
subconsciously talking about the past; after all, I have always
blamed National Service as one of the reasons why Vicky didnt
chose me. However, I finally understood what Johnnys words meant
and why Vicky wasnt suitable at all.
God is fair; he takes something
from you
he will give you something back in the
future.
Perhaps, God had replaced a Guardian Angel, in exchange for a lost
kidney
in exchange for Vicky.
Angeline knew about Vicky; I bared my heart to her in our previous
conversation. And what I liked about Angeline is the simplicity I
enjoyed as I relate myself to her. Maybe liking someone grants you
the ability to speak with them along that level of
communication.
Angeline squeezed my arms gently - it was her way of saying cheer
up.
We reached our destination and soon to be walking in separate
directions. Although I was feeling this reluctance to leave her
company, but all good things must come to an end.
Anyway, my birthday is coming next week
and of course I expect a
present from you!
I just smiled schemingly.
Bye bye! I dont care, replied Angeline, as she sticks her tongue
out at me while running away I dont care! BYE!
(To be continued...)
