The next morning, Sunny woke up to the sweet songs of birds outside his window. The melodies were so vivid that it felt like the birds were conveying information, telling the world that Sunny had dealt with two attackers the previous night. He woke up feeling quite refreshed, the memories of the previous night flowing into his head once again.
As he stood up, he was greeted by a slight headache, which made him grimace. "Must have been the alcohol," he muttered to himself, trying to shake off the lingering effects of the previous night's drinks.
He walked into the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. As he stood in front of the mirror, he loosened the bandage on his shoulder, curious to see how the wound was healing.
To his surprise, the cut was almost healed, thanks to the methylated spirit he had poured on it the night before. The spirit had not only cleaned the wound but had also accelerated the healing process. Sunny was relieved, knowing that he wouldn't have to deal with a lingering injury.
He washed his face and brushed his teeth, feeling the cool water and toothpaste help to clear his head. As he spat out the toothpaste, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His eyes looked a bit tired, but other than that, he looked like his usual self, except he wasn't wearing his uniform.
He dropped the bandage on the sink, making sure to dispose of it discreetly so that his mom wouldn't notice. He then wore a new sleeve to cover the wound, not wanting to raise any suspicions. His trouser was a bit okay, so he didn't change it, figuring that it wouldn't be a big deal.
As he opened his room door, he was greeted by a sweet aroma that wafted from the kitchen. His mom was cooking something sweet, he thought, his stomach growling in anticipation. He loved it when his mom cooked sweet treats.
He walked into the living room, where he met Alex watching the TV, which was tuned to the news. Sunny thought it was funny how most people were always watching the news these days. It seemed like everyone was obsessed with staying up-to-date on current events.
He met Alex's gaze, which was a bit strange. Alex's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, as if searching for something. Sunny felt a slight shiver run down his spine as Alex's gaze shifted from his face to his shoulder.
Alex enquired quietly, "What did you do to the bandage?" Sunny replied, trying to sound nonchalant, "Got rid of it so mom wouldn't suspect." Alex nodded thoughtfully, his eyes still fixed on Sunny's shoulder.
"Quite thoughtful of you," Alex said, his voice low and even, as he turned back to the TV screen. Sunny breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Alex hadn't pushed the issue further. He knew that Alex was curious, but he also knew that Alex would keep his secret.
Here is the continuation:
Sunny's mom walked into the sitting room, a warm smile on her face. Sunny immediately greeted her, trying to sound as cheerful as possible. "Good morning, mom!" he said, forcing a smile onto his face.
His mom responded with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good morning, dear," she said, her voice warm and soothing. "I didn't want to wake you because you were tired. Alex told me that you didn't feel quite okay yesterday."
Sunny threw a quick glance at Alex, who was still sitting on the couch, pretending not to notice. Sunny's eyes narrowed slightly, wondering why Alex had told their mom that he wasn't feeling well. Couldn't he have thought of another lie?
"Yes, I was a bit tired, so I had to rest," Sunny replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. His mom nodded in understanding, seeming to accept his explanation.
"I have prepared breakfast," she said, as she walked back to the kitchen. "Help me take them to the dining room." Sunny followed her, his stomach growling in anticipation of the meal. He was hungry, and he knew that his mom's cooking would hit the spot.
As they walked into the kitchen, Sunny's eyes widened in surprise. The kitchen was filled with the delicious aromas of fried eggs, toast, and sausage. His mom had really outdone herself this time. Sunny's stomach growled even louder, and he couldn't wait to dig in.
At the dining table, they didn't say much as the only sound was the clinking of fork meeting plates and the sound of chewing. Sunny ate greedily because he was so hungry, and he knew that the aftermath of the alcohol was finally catching up with him.
Just as they were almost done with their meal, the news on the TV screen in the sitting room caught their attention. The reporter, a male wearing a blue suit and a red tie, appeared on the screen with a serious expression.
"Everyone turned their gaze to the TV, their eyes fixed on the screen as the reporter began to speak.
"Twenty of our soldiers have been reportedly captured this morning," the reporter said, his voice somber. "The government is trying to negotiate their return, but the enemy is not agreeing to our conditions. Many fear that the soldiers might be killed."
The screen then turned to a short video of soldiers kneeling down with their hands tied backward and guns pointed at their heads. The image was disturbing, and Sunny felt a surge of anger and concern.
His mom's eyes widened in shock, and Alex's face turned pale. Sunny's appetite disappeared, and he felt a knot in his stomach. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
The video was only a few seconds long, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. The reporter's voice came back on, providing more details about the situation.
Sunny's mind was racing with thoughts of the captured soldiers and their families. He knew that the situation was serious, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility.
As the news report continued, Sunny's mom got up from the table, her eyes brimming with tears. "This is terrible," she said, her voice shaking. "Those poor soldiers and their families."
Alex nodded in agreement, his face still pale. Sunny didn't say anything, but his eyes remained fixed on the TV screen, his mind reeling with thoughts of the situation.
Sunny's mom then turned to him with a look of concern and fear etched on her face. "Why don't you tell them you don't want to fight anymore?" she said, her voice trembling. "I don't want to lose you."
Sunny's expression turned somber, and he reached out to take his mom's hand in his. "I promise, mom, nothing will happen to me," he said, trying to bring solace to her. But deep down, he knew that the front line was unpredictable, and no one could guarantee their safety.
His mom looked at him, her eyes searching for reassurance. Sunny tried to give her a confident smile, but he knew it was a fragile one. They sat there in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the TV still droning on in the background.
After a while, his mom broke the silence. "Why don't you follow me to the church this evening?" she asked, her voice soft. "