"You prepared for it well, huh?" Trish said open-mouthed, totally in awe as she watched Keira.
"She has practiced for weeks before the exam since she sucked at it so much at first," whispered May as they watched how Keira was doing pull-ups gracefully and without too much effort.
Their first week was focused on physical training, road marches, confidence building, and formation marching.
Every morning, they did so many exercises, like push-ups, sit-ups and more that Keira felt really tired.
It was true that her body was fragile. Though she managed the hard training, she knew her capacity. She would soon fall if she continued beyond her limit.
"Soldiers! We are still on the First Phase of your training where discipline, values, and teamwork are the main focus. In the next days, you will receive briefings on basic first aid, sexual harassment, assault awareness, and prevention programs! Understand?" explained Sergeant Cole that made Keira almost jump of joy for no reason.
"Aye, Sergeant!" Shouted Keira's unit in chorus.
Her mind was already working on how she could seize the opportunity during the next programs because Zach was not often present at the previous activities.
The next day, all the recruits, both men and women were called in the big meeting room for the basic first aid program.
"This is good, but when are they going to teach us CPR?" May asked excitedly that made Lana cough.
"I will volunteer, you know if the acting patient is the Falcon or a handsome soldier," said May mischievously. She saw the CPR procedure on videos only but not in live action so she was anticipating how things were really done.
Keira arched an eyebrow, so May added with a cough, "But of course, if it's the Wolf, Keira should do the honor."
To May's anticipation, the officer finally began discussing the long-awaited CPR.
"You, soldier Chan, get up here!" An officer ordered who noticed that Keira was not focused on the discussion and was talking to other seatmates.
"Straighten those backs, soldiers, and eyes to the front! No talking during the program! Understand?" Shouted the officer.
"Yes, Sir!" Answered the soldiers in chorus.
Zach and Jeru, who were observing, both frowned when Keira walked towards the front.
"I need another soldier!" Shouted the Officer.
Lana was about to stand up, but Drey who was sitting at the front stood first.
"What the heck is he doing?" Lana whispered.
May shrugged her shoulders and said, "They will probably do the CPR? And Drey wanted to accompany Keira instead of seeing her do it with another soldier?"
"One of you will be acting as the passed out and the other will do the CPR." Said the officer.
Keira smiled and nodded.
Drey looked at her and smiled back. It's been days since they had an interaction because Drey was with the male soldiers.
"CPR involves chest compressions for adults between 5 cm (2.0 in) and 6 cm (2.4 in) deep and at a rate of at least 100 to 120 per minute. The rescuer may also provide artificial ventilation by either exhaling air into the subject's mouth or nose (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) or using a device that pushes air into the subject's lungs (mechanical ventilation)," explained the officer.
"You, Russo, will do the proper chest compressions first," added the officer.
Keira positioned and Drey was about to perform the necessary chest compressions as instructed, however...
"Halt!" Zach shouted and startled them.
The officer turned to Zach with a questioning look and asked, "Yes, General Lim?"
Zach, who took a bit of time before answering, said, "Let Chan do the compressions on Russo instead."
The officer complied and instructed Drey and Keira to swap positions.
"Soldier, place emphasis on early and high-quality chest compressions over artificial ventilation!" Instructed the Officer to Keira and she followed.
Keira suppressed a chuckle when Drey winked at her.
"Focus!" Shouted General Liu who noticed what Drey did.
After Keira followed the procedure the Officer said, "This time you will learn the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation because it is the most commonly used one instead of the mechanical ventilation, which is not available during an emergency."
Upon hearing that, both Generals shouted, "Halt!"
The Officer scratched his head and asked, "Yes, Generals?"
'What is it this time? You two are disturbing the focus of the program!' The Officer wanted to voice out frustratingly.
Torin, who was also watching, shook his head and looked at Cielo who got his signal.
'These two Generals! Can't they at least be professional?'
Zach looked around. The first person whom he spotted was Cielo so he said, "You, Lieutenant Kang, move and replace Chan!"
Then Jeru looked at the Officer and seconded, "You should use a skilled one and not use the recruits to show how things are properly done!"
Torin was trying to conceal his laughter so hard. For the first time in history, the two Generals agreed on something.
A wicked grin was plastered on Cielo's face as she excitedly replaced Keira as the rescuer.
"Listen well, soldiers! During performing an emergency, you shouldn't care about anything but to save a life!" Said the Officer irritably and gestured to Lieutenant Cielo Kang to get ready as he explained how everything was done.
'Darn!' Drey hissed when he noticed the teasing look in Cielo's eyes.
He wanted to ask for a replacement and was about to say the words but Cielo started to press her mouth against his and blows air into his lungs.
Meanwhile, Keira looked at Zach with narrowed eyes, but the latter remained focused as he watched Cielo performing the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
'Hmm, is there a meaning behind it? Could it be that he didn't want anyone to do the CPR to her?' She asked silently but then her lips curved upward at her positive assumption.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
*At evening time*
"Left, right, left, right, left… Yes, Sergeant! No, Sergeant," May mumbled in her dreams and Keira wanted to throw the pillow on her friend's face.
She couldn't sleep at all. She hoped to go back to doing tremendous exercises, so her body would get tired and she would be able to sleep peacefully like before. The past few days they were into programs, thus she managed to rest just a little.
She covered her ears with her pillow, but even then she could hear the snoring coming from Vel at the upper deck.
It's still early, around 9:30 PM and everybody in their unit, except for her, was peacefully sleeping.
She knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep easily no matter what, so she sneaked out and ran towards the Meteor Den.
It's been a while since she last went there and she did it on purpose, leaving Zach hanging with her words. Besides, she also felt shy, so she needed at least a few days to build up some confidence or was 'shamelessness' a more appropriate word?
She was panting as she reached the place and smiled as she saw that Zach was there.
"Hello, General Lim," she greeted him stammering as she sat next to him.
Zach's forehead crumpled and he said, "Why are you here? It's bedtime. Head back now or you will receive punishment once you are caught!"
Keira smiled and stared at the sky then she said, "Are you going to punish me, General? Or you'll spare this lovely lady. Wait, what's that?"
She pointed her chin to the paper bag beside Zach.
"Uhm, it's a snack, I often bring some here and…" He paused when Keira grabbed the bag and checked what's inside.
"Wow, it looks tasty. Wait, are you waiting for someone? Why is there two bottles of soda in here?" Keira asked, still holding the bag.
"Yeah, it's for Torin, but if you want you can take it since he has already gone to sleep," said Zach with a hesitant tone that made Keira's brow arched.
"Okay, I'll take it then," she said and excitedly get the snack and soda.
At the Military Base, they had no snack at all, and all the food was the same most of the time, healthy as they say, but not tasty at all.
Zach watched Keira ate enthusiastically.
'She's like a happy child who has received a lollipop,' he mused and smiled.
"Finish that and head back! You won't like cleaning the toilets, will you? Because I heard that it will be the punishment if you get caught outside after the curfew," said Zach in his usual emotionless voice.
But to his surprise, Keira laughed out hard.
He looked at her with an arched brow.
"Sorry, it's just I find your sense of humor is so unique. I mean you are joking but the tone is so serious. I like your sense of humor, General Zach. It's cute," Keira said and winked at him.
"By the way, you just came here or have you stayed here this late? Before now, we were often meeting each other here before 9:00 PM," asked Keira as she continued to eat.
'What is wrong with you!' Zach scolded himself for prolonging the conversation by answering Keira's every question.
Maybe it was because he saw Keira like Rizie, as they were almost the same age and somehow, he could tolerate her even though she was vocal with her feelings toward him.
Then he massaged his nape as he felt something was wrong with his analysis.
"General! Are you with me?" Keira asked as she leaned her face closer to Zach.
Zach was startled and moved a bit back and said, "Keep your distance, will you?"
Keira pouted her lips. "Noted, General Lim. But the distance is not even that close, besides, we have already kissed."
Zach's face reddened because of embarrassment. He found it hard to talk to Keira and told her that it's inappropriate for her to like him and that she must not think of anything like that.
Keira noticed Zach's uneasiness so she changed the topic and asked, "So why did you become a soldier? Is that what you really wanted, like since being a kid?"
Zach let out a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, I wanted to become one since my childhood. Plus, I came from the slums, so it's beneficial to be in the army to help my family survive. It's actually hitting two birds at the same time. Doing what I love that can also help me and my family in return. It's not easy for me, being a nobody to achieve certain things. It takes a lot of effort and hard work."
Keira nodded because the soldiers, including their families, indeed received a lot of benefits since their lives were always at stake.
"And you succeeded very well I see. I was born lucky so I only know how to spend money most of my life," Keira murmured as she realized what a spoiled brat she was most of the time. There's nothing much she could even brag about in front of Zach that she suddenly felt a loser, though she had everything.
Zach chuckled because Keira talked straightforwardly and he found it funny, the way how sulky she looked at that moment, but it quickly changed as she turned her head to closely look at him.
"That's nice. You should smile more often like that. You look more handsome," she said smiling, the kind of smile that made Zach's heart thump irregularly.
"Stop it! Go back to your unit now, or I will report you for violating the rules!" Said Zach in a serious and authoritative tone that almost made Keira jump up to her feet.
"Geez, what a weatherman! Alright, General Lim, Chan will go back to her unit now! Good night, Sir!" Keira said and turned to walk back but then she paused and turned around to say, "By the way, you look more manly when you use the serious and authoritative tone!"
Then she gave him a wink before she hurriedly ran back...