His Life Without Her (16)

We reached B City about three o'clock in the afternoon. I dropped Dan at his home then headed back home. I needed to catch up with my family. Tomorrow will be election day. My grandpa must be busy with his elite undercover men. He has organized this group since he entered the military force. From being just around the city, he expanded the force throughout the whole Northern Region, then to nationwide coverage. They are capable of toppling down any corrupt official whenever they found the public situation hopeless. Now, his connections are far and wide in and outside the country.

So far, peace and order in this city is well maintained and all they could do is to man each official's actions.

I reached home half past three in the afternoon. Nobody was at home. Aunty Lina was busy ironing clothes while watching TV. She probably didn't notice me enter the house.

"Hello Aunty, where have they all gone?" I asked.

"Hi sir Mark! They went out early this morning, I'm not sure what time they'll come home. Do you want some food?" She asked.

"Yes please. And please bring these to the kitchen. These are presents for them. I'll come down for tea time later." I handed the two bags to Aunty Lina then headed to my room to take shower.

.....

I watched TV while having tea time. Every news update was about the chances of each political candidate, the poll surveys, their platforms, as well as their past records in public service.

The newscaster shifted to the Northern Province's political situation. The three contenders for the Congress were again being compared. The current congressman, Mr. Wang, was being accused by the new female opponent as a corrupt official, taking the public fund into his shipping business. He is reportedly operating a Shipping Company nationwide using the fund from the government. This is quite interesting! I thought.

I called Sunny to know who is the candidate that my love has been campaigning for and if the information about him was true.

"Boss, that's Mr. Wang. He has a big Shipping Business nationwide operated by his relatives. About being corrupt? I'm not sure but he has been operating his company even before he ran into public service. As far as I could see, everything was clean and organized and well funded. I haven't heard of any anomaly here." Sunny voiced over.

"Okay then. When will you be back for service?" I asked.

"Boss, I need a break. My wife maybe giving birth shortly after this election. I may not be able to come back after two months."

"I didn't know you've a wife already. Okay then. Report to Dan if you need to come back." I conceded.

......

My grandparents came home an hour after I called them. I knew they had been meeting some secret people outside.

Grandma beamed a delighted smile the moment she stepped inside and saw me sitting on the sofa. She came straight and hugged me tight like I was still a kid.

"Grandma, do you plan to suffocate me?" I patted her back.

"Mark, I can't believe that it's you. How can you sit there high and mighty like you never did a shameful thing!" Grandpa followed from the door and went to place his keys on the divider.

"What have I done grandpa?" I turned my head to him while grandma loosened her embrace from me.

"Your shameful act! Can't you be more noble?" Grandpa sounded upset.

"Grandma, what have I done wrong? Please tell me? I just went to say hi to my future father-in-law. What's so shameful about that?" I turned to my grandma with a pleading look.

"My dear, your grandpa means that you should have took us with you there so that we could have planned your engagement right away! You just wasted your chance again!" Grandma said nonchalantly.

"What??? So who is more shameless now? Do you even know how Fem despises me? Just because of that scheming woman your men put in the office?" I suddenly snapped hearing grandma's idea.

"Your sound seems to blame things on me, Mark. How are you sure of that?" Grandpa chuckled.

"With your connection, I knew you planned everything including my transfer of assignment. From what I could see, you really didn't want me to be with Fem, did you, Grandpa? Tell me! Where is that Agnes now?" I suddenly burst out. Actually I had been suspecting that my grandpa had a hand on my transfer of assignment yet I reserved my words with my thoughts.

"Don't be angry Mark, you know how much we wanted you to settle. Your grandpa might have lifted a finger on your transfer but its for the good of your career. Now, you're already a Major in just a short span of time. Aren't you glad?" Grandma spoke for grandpa's sake for fear that we might probably violently argue.

"I'm a Major, yeah! At the expense of the only woman I love. Now you're telling me that I'm so shameless going up there to woo her parents again? Or have you already given your blessing to that Agnes? What kind of woman do you want to join this family? I can't believe this!" I roared in disgust.

Grandma's face turned pale as tears began to form in her eyes. She turned to grandpa as if to plead for explanation from him.