Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XXXVI: Swell

A long wave on water that moves continuously without breaking.

* * *

César just drops me off in front of his parents' house. He didn't make any indication of having his presence be known for his parents to bombard him with question and stop him from heading off somewhere.

However, before I make it out of the car, he tells me, "Airfields will not be the safest place for nurses like you, (Y/N). Paniguradong sasabihan kayong lahat na manatili sa mga ospital kung saan dadalhin na lamang ang mga sugatan doon."

I nod. "I know. But, for today, gagawin ko ang pinaguutos mo. Tama na wala akong magagawang tulong kung maging ako ay may sakit."

As if he had been withholding such a breath for a long time, he finally sighs in relief. "Thank you."

I lean closer to him, pressing a hand against his chest as I kiss him. As no one from us expect this happening, he is wearing something casual than his usual uniform. I know that he'll drop off back to the apartment for a quick change before heading on his way to Zablan. When both of us pull away, I bite my lower lip before saying, "Stay safe."

He nods. "I'll try not to do anything stupid."

It is with a heavy heart for me to watch him go. However, fighting back against his resolve to return to active duty despite the approved leave is definitely going to eat up his conscience alone that he can do something. Some will consider it patriotism nor heroism; but it is usually attributed to blind ideologies.

There is no better term for such attribute though but an unconditional love in the name of sacrifice itself.

* * *

César's parents are surprised to find out that it is only me, as they are expecting us both to be present despite the dreaded news of war announcement. It is with a heavy heart that I tell them what César asked of me to do: to remain with them until he manages to gather as much information as he can in Zablan. I guess, it is the least assurance he can give that I am to stick together with his parents all the while he heads on to the war itself.

I know that this is part of his parents' nightmare. Probably not their worst one, but definitely close to that. After all, who will actually be sending their own children to war? The young had been always so enthusiastic in making a mark in history; all the while the elders wait for whatever comes back. Because, most of the time, if it isn't a dead body that will be returning, it will be a changed man out of their children. No one returns from war unscathed.

Breakfast is quite hard to swallow. It is awfully quiet as I join them. The prepared seat for César, empty, is a cruel reminder that we're all left in the dark with just the knowledge that things will never be the same now.

Aside from his parents' worry of what could happen next in every tick of the clock, I am also aware that they want to question me about what's next. Not just about what is to happen regarding the war between the Japanese and the Americans, or even that of the Filipinos' fight against another possible invader... but regarding the future I and César had planned for.

Our wedding's six days from now. The engagement ring that remains adorning my finger a reminder that it is happening. But now that the war is here... will the wedding itself continue?

I don't want to think that it will not happen. Doing so is like inviting death for a challenge on whether to take César or me from this life with one another. But then, too many things can happen for the succeeding days. Who actually knows a great deal about war? Is everyone spared just because there had been a scheduled event? I don't think that, even outside of the war, death had been forgiving for plans to be fulfilled first before the taking. Because, if that will be the case, no one will actually even die in the first place.