Chapter 7: At Home

Zach filed a week’s leave to spend more days with his family. Once the admission test started, the training for the recruits would immediately follow. And he would have to stay at the dormitory, inside the Military School, to monitor everything while he was not in the field. He wouldn’t get a chance to be with his family by then. He smiled as he recalled how his mother cried hard during the ceremony of receiving the Medal of Valor. He was delighted to see how his family was proud of him. He drove to their family home, located in the province. It was a three-story house with seven rooms in a small villa. It was a simple villa if you compared it with the extravagant ones near their area, but it was big enough for them. He also had a bachelor’s pad in the city, where he slept, if he needed to work and be focused on something important and confidential. But being in their province, he felt more at home. He smiled with contentment when he was almost near their gate. It took years to finish their villa. Little by little, and just recently this year, it was fully completed. "Big Brother, you’re here..." Rizie ran towards him and hugged him. "Wow, presents, give me that. I’ll take care of it." Rizie said as she excitedly pulled the paper bags from her brother. Zach laughed and pinched the cheeks of their youngest. She was eighteen years old and the sweetest of all. Whenever she saw him, he would always hug him. During the ceremony, most of the soldiers thought that she was his girlfriend, as Rizie had hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek after the ceremony. "Mom is in the kitchen with Grandma preparing dinner. You must be tired after a long drive, but eat dinner with us first." Rizie said before she turned around and peeked at what was inside the paper bags. She knew that her big brother always brought presents for them whenever he arrived at the villa, so she wanted to see them before Josh so that she could choose first. Josh was her twin brother; they were fraternal twins, and they often bantered over a lot of things. Zach saw his mom and grandma, and he greeted and kissed them on their cheeks. "Oh, my handsome grandchild is here..." Grandma Terri said and hugged him. "Mom, let Zach change first... Go now, son, I will have Ning call you once dinner is ready." His mother said, smiling. Zach nodded and walked towards his room, which was located on the third floor. He occupied the space on the third floor, to easily have access to where the gym, library, and private room were located. He removed his clothes and had a quick shower. He always felt the scars on his body: souvenirs from both gunshots and stab wounds, during the battles. There was no more pain; all that was left were the scars. Nobody knew how he hoped that the same could have been applied to his heart. He let out a bitter laugh... It has already been three years. Goddamned three years, but he still felt the pain in his heart, because of her... The woman he loved and wholeheartedly longed for. Then, he sneered as the drops of water from the shower continuously flowed on his body. He often recalled the memories, all of a sudden, and it was frustrating as hell... He was still trapped and couldn’t move on... "Fuck," he murmured. He never usually cursed, but whenever he was reminded of her, he couldn’t help but curse. At the dining table, everyone was present, except for his sister. Zach was the breadwinner in the family, and Lyra was helping him somehow, though he had refused because he wanted her to focus more on her career. But Lyra was stubborn, and she also did part-time jobs while she was studying the law. And now that she had graduated, she was focused on passing the Bar Exam. She was staying in the city to attend a review program before the exam. "How’s the school?" Zach asked as he looked at the twins. Rizie smiled at him sweetly and replied, "Big Bro, I’m studying well, unlike Josh, who often plays around with girls." "Stop that, otherwise, Big Bro will believe you... I’m not playing around! They are the ones who are chasing me!" Josh hissed as he looked at his sister. "You two... Stop, and don’t quarrel during the dinner." Their grandpa Shen scolded, and the twins quickly zipped their mouths. "Don’t worry, Zach, I will monitor the twins... Why don’t you focus on yourself this time? I mean, you’re old enough. I think it’s about time for you to get into a relationship. Your grandma Terri and I are not getting younger, you know?! We would like to see grandchildren roaming around our house." Grandpa Shen said, smiling. They knew Zach’s past and about the woman he had once loved. He hated to see his grandchild stuck up in the past this long, because of her... Zach deserved someone better, and he believed that one would soon come if only his grandson were willing to open his heart once more. Zach did not respond, and the whole family exchanged meaningful gazes with each other. Rizie couldn’t control herself because of the sudden awkward silence, and so she said, "Gosh, Grandpa... Jos,h for su,r e will give you those grandchildren in no time, trust me. You may not know, but next week someone will knock on our door and she will say she’s pregnant with Josh’s baby..." Then, she followed it with loud laughter when she saw Josh’s face, reddening in embarrassment. Even his ears turned red. She liked to tease her twin brother so much, and the latter was used to it. Their mother laughed too and said, "Well, Josh is a man, so it’s okay. He can continue studying and graduate. Unlike you, Rizie, no boyfriend until you graduate. Take an example from your elder sister, L yra." Rizie pouted her lips and started eating her food instead. She could see Josh’s triumphant face, enjoying her predicament, so she made a face at him. Zach smiled happily... This was the best feeling... Being with the people he loved and treasured the most... his family..