Chapter 17

Nurses and doctors were called to the military base, and we were all wondering why. We were all seated in the canteen/lounge area when Captain Rhodes came in to make an announcement.

- Thank you all for coming. We have been tasked to evacuate a catholic mission near Abuja. The mission includes a hospital that looks after US civilians and military personnel as well. Rebel troops are closing in and the camp is running low on supplies and trained medical staff. So, until we can provide safe evacuation, we need doctors and nurses on site. Now, I am aware that this is a lot to ask, and I will not be able to guarantee anyone's safety. As such, signing up is on an entirely voluntary basis – there was silence in the room. Most of the nurses and doctors were looking at each other, waiting for someone to put their hands up first. I looked at James who was sitting right beside me. He was looking ahead, avoiding eye contact. I understood that he will be deployed as well, and I started to panic. The past month, after his recovery, was one of the happiest times in my life. I knew this day would come and the anxiety was always at the back of my head. However, now I also had the chance to go with him. While I was in my thoughts, a few people raised their hands, including Lena. Determination came over me and I raised my hand too.

- I volunteer as well - James turned his head and looked at me with surprise and horror.

- No, you are not.

- You cannot speak for me – I said firmly.

- Well, I just did – he raised his voice slightly, which he had never done before. I narrowed my eyes.

- No one decides for me – I stated enunciating each and every word. Then I turned around and went up to the captain to sign myself up. I heard him storm out. After filling out my forms, I went to find him in his room where he was pacing up and down. When he saw me, he shouted.

- Have you completely lost your mind? – I have never seen him so angry before. At the same time, we never really had a proper argument. We were still in the honeymoon phase.

- This is my duty – I said calmly but firmly. We were standing on opposite sides of the room.

- No! It is my duty – he pointed at himself – Your duty is to look after people here.

- I am a nurse. My duty is to look after people anywhere, in any setting.

- Yeah, fuck that, you are not coming. End of conversation.

- You don't get to say when it's the end of the conversation – I shouted as well.

- It is war Minty, why can't you get it through that pretty little head of yours? – I really liked when he called me pretty. I mean who doesn't? But this time it felt more like an insult.

- Stop treating me like a fragile China doll. And I am aware this is war. I work in a refugee camp if you haven't realized.

- You don't know shit about war – He almost spat his words out – It is nothing like this little feel-good mission - I took a step towards him.

- Every time we say goodbye, I never know if it's going to be the last time I see you. So, if I can be by your side, I will go.

- Yeah, this is what it means to be with a SEAL. So, you either get used to it or leave.

I was completely taken aback. At the same time, I could have slapped him right at that moment.

- Fuck you – I shouted.

- Minty – he was taking deep breaths to try to calm himself – if you come, I cannot guarantee your safety.

- You don't need to guarantee my safety James, I am not a child. I make my own decisions and if you cannot cope with that, then maybe you should leave. Now the conversation ended – and with that I turned around.

- Araminta, I swear….-he said through gritted teeth.

-What? – I turned on my heels to face him – what are you going to do Red? – I knew I was provoking him, but I was furious. He said nothing and when I left the room, I heard things being smashed.

Red stormed through corridors until he finally found L.T.

- You cannot let this happen. You cannot allow her to go.

- She is a grown woman Red. I cannot stop her – Red looked away in frustration. He realized there was nothing he could do. He was used to being in control of situations and now the woman's safety whom he loved and wanted to marry one day was out of his influence and it was eating him up.

- Assign her to the safest area. She cannot accompany us. She has to stay in the safety of the mission and the hospital – L.T. nodded.

I was packing my things still fuming and managed to go to bed around 1am. When I woke up in the morning and got ready to leave, I could feel my anxiety rising about seeing him. I said goodbye to Eve, who was the charge nurse of the hospital in my absence and who wasn't really happy about my decision either. I was considering apologising to James for telling him to fuck off. When I got to the base with the other medical staff, we got handed a navy jacket to put over our uniform. Mine was super big on me so I asked if I could get a smaller one. The man's answer was that 'I don't need a smaller one, I need to get bigger'. Now, it was beyond me how this man expected me to grow in the next half an hour, so I just left. And then I saw him. Our eyes met for a second and he looked away, completely ignoring me. So, scrap the apology. He can fuck right off.

While Red was walking towards the helicopter, he was praying that she would not be there. However, he knew that it was useless. Minty was the most headstrong and stubborn person he ever met. And there she was, having her back towards him. She was putting on the navy jacket. It reminded him of the occasions when she was wearing his in her room, most of the times that being the only thing covering her naked body. He loved her wearing his clothes. It kind of made him feel like she was his. He would also leave one of his spares with her when he was on a mission because she said she liked sleeping in it. When he was looking at her now, she looked so tiny and fragile. She definitely did not belong in war. His anger rose up again as he felt unable to change the situation and protect her. She turned around and their eyes met for a second. He broke the eye contact, and he knew it would hurt her but right now he was too angry with her and mostly himself.

I got on the helicopter and of course I was assigned to the same one as Red. Throughout the whole journey both of us refused to look at each other. When we got there, all medical staff were assigned their duties and I was told to stay in the hospital. I could see relief in Red's eyes, and I knew inside that he had something to do with it. The SEALs and some of the other sailors were leaving tomorrow to meet and neutralize the rebel army head on before they could reach the mission. I was expecting Red to visit me in the evening to at least say goodbye. I waited until 2am and that son of a bitch never turned up. Next morning, I was getting ready when I heard a knock, and someone entered. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

- What do you want? – I asked with my back facing him.

- Came to say goodbye.

- I thought we are ignoring each other – I turned around.

- I was angry at you. I still am. But you actually thought I would leave without seeing you? – I didn't say anything.

- Plus, I have something for you – he came over and opened his palm. He was holding a ring. I have seen it before. He told me that it was his mother's ring. She gave it to him when he joined the navy to protect him. He carried it with him to every deployment and mission ever since.

- I want you to have this to keep you safe – he said and put it in my hand.

- James, I can't. It is yours.

- Please – he said and closed my fingers. I could see how important this was for him.

- Fine – I put the ring on my middle finger – but who will protect you?

- The thought that you are waiting for me to return – he took my fingers in his hand and looked at his mother's ring. I could see him hesitate, but he finally said:

- I hope one day you will give me the honour of putting this ring on another finger – I was shocked. I did not expect this. I mean, in my head I was going to marry this man, but him saying it out loud made me feel like I was melting from happiness.

- I cannot wait for that day – I saw relief in his eyes, and he kissed me.

- I will be back. I promise – he kissed me again and then he kissed his mother's ring on my finger and left.