Be My Soldier Forever

Ep. 49

Frans knows where the house's spare key is hidden from Vania, so he takes the key and opens the door. He walked into Bram's room. As expected, Bram fell asleep very soundly in his bed. Frans walked up to him.

“Bram, wake up!.”

“Hoammmmm.”

“Come wake up.” Bram waved his hand, signaling Frans to leave. Frans walked into Bram's bathroom and picked up a bucket of cold water. Frans grinned and spilled it on Bram and Bram jumped up from his bed.

“What's what?” bram's eyes filled with anger.

“Are you awake now?” Frans laughing.

“Frans?” Bram can't believe he's back.

“Change your shirt.” Frans walked out of Bram's room. Without thinking, Frans walked into Vania's room. He began to look around the room, and had a premonition that he would find something. Frans walked by his bedside, and his leg hit something. Frans leaned over and looked under his bed. A box. Curious, Frans took out the box and a stack of letters, opened. He picked up, the first piece of paper, which was already inundated with splashes of tears that were already ringing on it. Frans started reading it.

Dear Frans, dear.

I miss you so much. Actually there's so much going on with me. I felt as if a part of me was missing. I love you so much. Ilove you. I love you. Hurry back. I need you here so much. Everyone's hurt here. Your mother went to the hospital, she's very weak. He has a late-stage brain tumor. Ii'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I've done everything I could. I showed my face of courage to everyone. I cry every night to sleep. I just need you. I want you next to me. By my side. Beside me. I want you to kiss me. I want you to tell me that you're okay there. Need you. Bram also felt very lost because of my father. He started attacking almost every boy in his school. It scares me. Your mother has also tried hard to fight through all this, but she is not able to. Bram can get through it himself. I can't go through it alone. I can't do everything myself. Need you.

With love, Vania

Frans blinked quickly to stop her tears from coming out. He read all the letters. In the end, everyone needs it the most. Vania knew she didn't want to let Frans know she needed him the most. And Vania couldn't tell him that her mother had a brain tumor.

They need me here, Frans thought.

Frans knows that she should know all this, but Vania can't say it. Frans then closes the box and returns it to the bottom of Vania's bed. He sat on the wall and put his hands on his face.

How could I not know anything? Her thought. I should have known what really happened. Frans' heart was very sick.

“Frans, are you okay?”

“ Hey, little boy.” Frans looked at Bram.

“you why?”

“It's okay. Come on, are you ready?”

“Where are we going?”

“See later.” They walk out of Bram's house and into Vania's car. Frans started the car engine.

“So how do you feel while on duty?”

“Good. I really enjoyed it. How was your first year without me?” he finally wanted to hear the truth, other than to hear that they missed him.

“Actually, we are all miserable. Should I tell you everything?”

“Yes, I want to know the truth. About everything. How are you?”

“I've been good all along. Fucking ughh.”

“bahasamu.”

“Sorry.”

“What is your custom, say ksar to people?”

“Yeah, maybe that kind of.”

“Keep that habit of yours.” Bram nodded. “Continue.”

“Yeah, I've been fighting a lot. I have a problem in my team.”

“why did you fight?”

“Because I'm angry. I had to let out all my anger, so I hit the people who tried to tease me.” Frans could hear Bram's confidence in his voice.

“You hit a boy?”

“Yeah, so.”

“You know, if you get hit by someone, you can fight them, no matter who they are. But if it's not your fault, don't do it.

“But I'm not as rough as how.”

“Iya I know, at least you stop your bad habits, if you often do it will be difficult to stop your habits.”

“I don't know how I'm going to stop this habit of mine.”

“That's why, I'll teach him to you.” Frans parked the car at the school parker.

“What do we want to do in school?” They got out of the car and Frans started walking.

“Yah.”

“This is the only place that can make you vent all your anger. Football is a place of anger. When you play, let out all your anger, because that's the only way. But don't try to hit anyone. Play by the rules. Put everything on them by beating them on the field. Understood it?

“Ya.”

“And don't let you get hurt out there.”

“I know.” They look around. “you know, you're like a father I never had.”  Frans looked at Bram, shocked. “It's true. You are always there for me. Thank you, Frans.”

“Iya, Bram, always. You will always be here for you.” Frans smiled. His heart melted hearing how much he meant to Bram.

“I promise, no one will get hurt here. Promise to take care of yourself.”

“I promise.” Frans knows he's safe. He should be here for his family.

“We need you, Frans. You can't leave us, you can't die.”

“I won't go anywhere.” He made sure of that.

“I really hope your mother doesn't leave. I still need it here, too. She's like my mom.”

“Yes, she is the best mother.” She smiled as she thought about the times her mother was always with her.

“I miss my mom.” Bram looked down, trying to hide his teary eyes.

“Do you always think about it?”

“Every day.”

“Is your mother still sick?”

“Not really, the first time he got into the hospital.” He looked at Frans, showing his tears.

“Ya.” They were silent for a few minutes. “do you mind if I take you somewhere? There's something I have to do.”

“Yes. Of course.” They walked back to the car. As they sat inside, Frans reached into his pocket and took out the address Jonathan had given him, before he died. He has to go see his wife. When they arrive at the intended address. Frans looked at Bram.

“You're here first, okay?”

“Yes of course, but what will we do here?”

“There's something I have to do. I'll be back as soon as.” Bram nodded and Frans walked out of the car. Frans walked to the door, anxiously. After hiding the bell, he heard the dog barking. A woman opened the door; she held the baby in her arms and her eyes were blackened. Her blond hair was greasy and her face was flushed. Frans knew that this woman had no more energy.

“Can I help you?” The woman asked. Voice weak.

“Hai, are you Jonathan's wife?”

“Iya right, who are you?” The woman stood up straight. He had never heard anyone mention that name in full. The last time she heard it, she collapsed on the floor and cried for days.

“I Frans A. Samuel, I'm a friend of your husband's. He was actually my best friend on duty.”

“Task? You guys together in the military?”

“Ya sure. I came here to say that I'm really sorry for the loss you've been through. Jonathan is a great man. He always talked to me about you. And he loves you so much.” A smile appeared on his face. “He died in my arms with one last request.”

“Dan, what is it?”

“She asked me to come to see you. She told me that you were pregnant and she didn't know if the child was a boy or a girl. She told me to come here and see you, to make sure that you are indeed pregnant.” The woman smiled and tears poured down her cheeks.

“I was pregnant at the time, and now I have given birth to a boy. I named him Michael. Jonathan loved that name. Thank you for coming to visit me. It's tragic, but I'm glad to hear she died in your arms. You seem like a good man. Thank you.” Frans grabbed her and hugged the woman. “Jonathan is a great man and he will always be in my heart forever. I will love her until I die.”

“So, if you need something, Maria.” Frans remember that Jonathan always mentions that name repeatedly. He always said that the name was a favorite for him and would never get tired of calling it. “If you need anything, this is my number. Contact me.” Frans handed me a piece of paper with a number on it. “please contact me, anytime.” He smiled and took it.

“You have a boyfriend, right?” he remembers Jonathan talking about Frans who was afraid of getting a woman he loved hurt, but Jonathan reassures him that love is very important.

“Hehe.. hmmmm.” Frans rubbed his hair.

“Well, you better make him sure. But she's a very lucky girl to have a man like you. You remind me of Jonathan, you have a very big heart.”

“Thank You. Now I have to go, are you going to be okay?” Maria nods “Oke, just call you if you need anything.” They hugged each other for the last time and then said goodbye. Frans got back in the car.

“Who is it?” Bram asked.

“That's my friend's wife.”

“Wow.”

“Yah. Let's go home.” Bram nodded as Frans started the car engine and then drove.