Farewell Party (1)

How I wish I could fly to the North just to have a brief glance at my love! How long will circumstances hold us apart? I didn't know. My heart aches for missing her and my mind is so crowded with her memory while subconsciously worrying she might forget me along the line. I couldn't help but be in daze everytime this surge of anxiousness envelopes me. I have never felt this way before!

I would take every possible chance to drive to the north to see her but my office has been so busy turning over the cases that were still under investigation. I was hoping I could clear my schedule by Friday but the chief of investigation department planned a farewell party on Friday night. I had no choice but to make a letter instead and mail it to my love just to let her know I will be transferred to the capital city. I only hoped she would understand why I couldn't show up.

Friday night came and the party started at seven in the evening. My grandparents were invited so is my brother. They came with their own cars. The party was held at the top floor of the 35 - storey luxury hotel. Everyone from the investigation department was there. My superiors came to exchange handshakes with my grandparents and shared some short laughters before the emcee called everyone's attention for the short program to start.The program started at sharp half past seven after everyone got acquainted with their surroundings.

My grandparents, my older brother and myself were sitted near the platform around a table which had six chairs around it. They must have expected us to bring along two more persons, whoever they think we might bring along.

After the superiors gave their speeches and gave off commending remarks mentioning everything I contributed to the department, they called me to say something.

I stood up infront, scanned the audience and every corner of the place. There was nothing special with how everyone appeared tonight except that everyone was dressed more formally. I was guessing they only organized this party just to have fun time drinking later tonight after dinner. Truth be told, I felt like I didn't want to say anything because my heart was heavy. But being a trained military, I should not show much emotions infront of everyone. Military people were not to supposed to cry when they're lonely neither supposed to laugh when they're are happy. So with a normal tone, I just gave credit to whom the credit is due and assured them that I would do my mandate diligently but would work my way to come back home as soon as possible. "There's no place like home" I nodded to everyone as I left the microphone infront.

Everyone clapped their hands and not long after the emcee left the platform, waiters were already serving appetizers and wines. I stayed with my grandparents and my brother the entire time we were having dinner.

What I didn't expect was that after we finished our food and were enjoying some wine, Agnes approached our table. She greeted my grandparents first and my older brother before looking at me. She was smiling wide that I swore I was annoyed. To others, it might look sweet and pleasant but knowing her intention, it was in fact a sarcastic one.

"She's Agnes, from the information department," I simply said to my family having seen their questioning look.

"Oh, why don't you take a seat, Agnes," Grandpa said casually.

I glared at her to let her understand that I didn't like her presence in my face. She turned to smile at my brother.

"Sure, please sit down." My brother also said casually as he put down his wine glass and leaning on the chair relaxing his arm on the arm rest.

I never told anyone of them what this woman did to me back when we had a camping. I am so annoyed by her that I kept my mouth shut.

Grandpa looked at Agnes with his usual assessing eyes. "How are you Agnes?" he said lifting his wine.

"I'm fine sir, I'm so glad to see you tonight. I think I have never met you before." She said somewhat shyly and nervously.

"I retired long ago, so nobody expects to see me inside the headquarters." Grandpa said matter-of-factly.

"Although your name is still circulating around the city, I only got this chance to meet you personally, sir." She said with that annoying smile still in her face.

"How old are you Agnes?" Grandma joined in.

"I'm 26 ma'am. Just turned 26 last December 28."

"Oh, that's great! so you are two years younger than Paul and two years older than Mark." Grandma gave a faint smile as she adjusted her glasses.

I noticed my brother turned his head away as if to pretend he did not hear anything. I covered my smirking smile by downing the remaining wine on my glass. This woman is really thick faced! She wanted to get through my grandparents.