"Bruce, do you know that Kevin came to see you again? He also brought his wife. Look! Isn't she beautiful? She is not only beautiful but also thoughtful." Mamie wiped her tears as she laid out the offerings for Bruce. It had been so many years since Bruce left that she thought she would never be sad again. However, she could not help but shed tears whenever she was on that place. Was there really a way to keep a mother's heart from breaking every time she remembered her child who died so young?
You should be married too if you're still alive. I wouldn't mind taking care of your children. You left so suddenly that you didn't even leave me a word." Mamie murmured alone, sounding very sad.
"Bruce, are you all right over there? Do you still sing the song Green Camp every day? You know what? You were a terrible singer. You scared every comrade we had in the dormitory whenever you sang. The bad part was that you didn't care and still belted it out loud passionately. You really made us love and hate you." Kevin's voice trembled a bit as he poured wine for Bruce. It was a rare sight for someone as strong as Kevin to cry but that time, he just let his tears out.
Meanwhile, Leena stayed quiet as she had no intention of comforting Kevin. She knew that it would be better for him to have all his pain vented out. Moreover, she didn't know what was going on, so she wasn't sure how to express her feelings.
Remember the little poplar we planted together? The last time I went back to the company, I found it had grown up. The places where we trained together have changed but the soldiers didn't change at all. They love our country as much as we did. Let us drink to our hot-blooded loyalty." Kevin took a sip and poured the wine into the grave.
"Boy, have you been lazy? Have you regressed? I'm telling you, don't let me catch up or I'll take the title of your best soldier of the year!" Kevin poured another glass of wine and continued talking. Leena had never seen Kevin so sad and the sight right now really bothered her a lot.
Do you see the beautiful woman behind me? She is my wife. Isn't she beautiful? Didn't we say we were going to get married and be fathers at the same time? Why did you lie to me? Do you have a girl you like? If you have, you must be brave to pursue her. Don't be a coward! We soldiers should be bold in whatever we do."
A smile cracked Kevin's lips but it wasn't the type of smile that Leena would like to see him with. It was outright the saddest smile she had seen in this world and it chipped her heart a bit. She knew that the man buried here must be someone really important to Kevin.
Kevin, don't feel bad. Bruce was lucky to have a brother like you. It was his fate, anyway." Mamie consoled as she began burning paper money piece by piece. That gave Leena the signal so she bent and bowed. Without a word, she then bent down to put paper money in the fire.
"Leena, don't worry much about Kevin. He'll be fine." A long sigh escaped Mamie's chest as she thought, 'God is fair to me. I might have lost a son but I received another one.'
"I know, Mamie. Don't be sad too, okay?" Based on what they were saying, Leena figured out that the man buried here was Mamie's son, who happened to be Kevin's comrade as well. However, she did not know why Bruce had died.
"I'm not sad. It's been so many years. I'm used to it. I know that he is with his father now so he isn't alone. Here, I have Kevin with me and now I have you. I'm not alone too." Mamie sniffed. She might have said those words to cheer the young lady up but she was really feeling terrible deep inside her.
"You're right. Kevin is your son. I'm your daughter. We will be there for you." The atmosphere that was occupying the place was too depressing. Leena wanted to smile for Mamie but she couldn't. Her heart was breaking for the old woman that she could almost hear it cracking inside her chest.
You are good people! I am so lucky to meet you." Mamie wiped her teary face. She knew that everyone would eventually die sooner or later so there was really no reason to feel sad at all. That was how life was. It was really just a matter of waiting.
Sadness shouldn't be something that kept winding people. It shouldn't be lasting. Thus, Kevin was already calmer while they were sitting on the train as they went back to the downtown.
"Do you want to hear a story?" Finally, Kevin spoke as he looked out the train's window. He could tell that Leena had a lot of questions and he wanted to answer all those. Thus, he opened his heart to her.
"If this story will make you sad, then I won't listen. But if you want me to share your pain, I'll listen." Leena looked at him sideways and thought, 'Thank God! I thought he wouldn't talk the whole way. I didn't expect him to speak first.'
I gave up college and went to the army without hesitation that year. I deliberately chose a company which was far from home so that I could escape my father." Kevin let out an empty laugh without gazing away from the window. On the other hand, Leena got no idea why he was still looking at the views outside. Perhaps, it could be that he was embarrassed to face her concerned eyes. Or maybe, it could be because he was lost in his memories too.