"Tonight, in behalf of our parents, I do solemnly bless my sister, with my brother Albrecht to allow her live with you George. This may be unusual in both Filipino nor German ways, in spite of this war but still as a family, we need to settle things with formality. However, let me begin with asking questions, George, do you like our sister, Magee, despite her faults, imperfections and negative attributes?"

George flushed and grinned while clasping his hands and looked at his comrades.

" No. I don't just liked her, but I loved her very much." As he stirringly bit his lips and worried about how she would think of it.

"How about you Magee? Do you like George or do you love him? He'll go in the battlefield tomorrow, at least he would know your response now.

" Let me speak first and explain my side. Hmm...I, I have this mixed emotion. I cannot extract my responses right away, but I guess it's not NO.

" But do you like / love him or can you live with him?" Albrecht asked it again.

" Yes, I like to depend on him and stay close with him, as long as he won't move and do silly things." Then she looked outside closing her eyes in shame.

" So George what do you like to happen between you and Magee, tell us now.

" I won't force her to accept me on a larger scale for just a shorter period of time. I want her to slowly accept the heavier side of her decision because it is both a choice and a mission. She may have the difficulty of understanding things right now but I'll do everything to make her accept the man that I am who's purely wanting for her love. But the waiting isn't boring, I enjoy with her company and in front of you I would really admit that I wish one day, I could live a beautiful Life with her more than yesterday and today.

' Magee, were you not pressured of this setup?"

" I'm kind of shocked but deep within me feels better. Though, I just wanted to clarify, hmm, we still have to talk about this together. Right now, I can only say yes that I can be with him."

George extremely blushed and looked at her.

"Are you not scared of me anymore?

" Of course yes, just " don't move" if you wanted to get closer to me, at times when you're serious. If you break that, we have witnesses in front. But this rule shall change over the course of time. I promise to grow as adult quickly and do my part. So if I have questions, you slso need to help me too. And why all of you looked at me that way, do you think I'm a difficult person? No. I called myself as a 'late maturer.' I spent so much time to play, roaming around and thinking before the war, so I got this 'delayed' emotional acceptance. I need a little time.

" Well that is given. Any questions? before we leave to bring the baits for tomorrow."

" If she likes me still after this war and I may survive as a soldier, I will formally marry her."

" What do you think Magee." Baldur said.

" It depends on how we can arrange things from now on. I think with all these big words I'd been hearing since this morning I guess I have to really,really run as fast as I could so that I can level up to your expectations.

" Good! now we are settled, we'll pack up back to station one. George don't forget to orient her to the cave eastbound. And be sure to reach there tomorrow noontime, at least."

" Yeah."

After the brothers separated the wild dogs and snake meat, they then waived a hand to the couple.

" Can we talk?" George requested her as they sat on the long chair at the receiving area.

" Yes, me too, I'd like to understand all these."

" I mean, I was surprised they brought out a proposal this early. Although, this has been what we have planned months ago when the Captain was still here. But as I think, maybe due to our attack to the j.a.panese den tomorrow. But I should have proposed to you personally. Are you angry?"

" Why should I be angry?"

" I was just embarra.s.sed in front of my brothers, I don't know." She smiled.

" Embarra.s.sed for? It's something we should be proud of, they helped us decide so quickly so that we'll not be bothered, see how fast they gave their blessing."

" You're moving closer to me right now, I'm seeing it. Consider that as a breach of contract. Imagine how shocked I am today."

" Okay...I'm getting back now. So, if you're shocked and embarra.s.sed, it's also how I feel. Imagine that I facilitated the meeting the whole afternoon. We talked about, ambush, weapons, post a.s.signments here and there then we eventually walked out going here where I thought the goal is just to get the sacks but then I learned that I was blessed as your partner. I was even happy hearing you said you liked me too."

" Now, my heart beats so fast while we are sharing our thoughts. Explain this."

" Yes that's liking...maybe for you. Maybe you liked me but I doubt if it's love already. Liking and love in reality is separate. I still subscribe to your denial feelings you suspected. What do you think."

" But how do you say you love me when you have not even told me even once but several times you reasoned out it's your job, Dad as reasons why you were overprotective of me, get it?

" Now, I see how upset you are."

" Well, here. You never knew how I followed you almost every day since September. I loved your charm, your pa.s.sionate ways, your innocence over wit, your childish ways, your humor and skills, your silly look on me that awakens my heart and you're stunningly beautiful." He clasped his own hands, stood up and transfered on a farther seat.

" And why you're moving too far, how can we seriously talk with that far with just this small amount of light from our candle?"

" It's how love works, you can't understand. When one think of breaking rules but it makes someone maturely thinks more of what is necessary. Near and far, it's still the same, it's how I feel. But if I only like you, I would always break rules and wouldn't think of the consequences whether you'll agree or not, I'll follow what is ephemeral. It's not love. I need you to love me slowly a hundred times where I'm ahead of. That's what I wanted you to know, between what is love and liking. I can't properly sleep, your presence disturbs me, your voice wakes me up like a song and your face lasts in my memory. Your anger tickles me and your slap were my terrible gifts, oh yes. At least when you're scared you come closer to me always that's why I always wish scary creatures will come out every now and then so that we'll sit down together, side by side, holding each other and dream together."

" You're maybe sleeping right now, it's okay."

" No, I'm not. I'm listening. Can I investigate my emotions. Can you come and sit beside me, let me countercheck my feelings if I liked you or loved you. Let's try to sit together.

He drew near and sat beside her, too close and she held his hands.

" How do you feel.?"

" I'm not feeling any better." George confessed to her.

" Hmm, maybe because you'll be in the battlefield tomorrow. You better sleep now then she kissed his forehead.

In an instant he almost held her hand out of extreme longing but he opted not and he just sat down for a while.

" I felt like I was choked with grenades and bullets when she kissed me and so I feel how unfair the world is. At least, and I love her more and more." He thought as he sighed and bowed his head.

He followed her to Baldur and Albrecht"s room.

" Here's your mat, blankets and pillows, then she sweetly smiled to him, " Goodnight George and G.o.d bless for your fight tomorrow."