Page 6 of Salute, To Bravery
Inside the tent, Major Anderson is poring over maps and reports. He looks up as I enter, his expression inquisitive.
“Captain, is there something on your mind?” he asks, his tone suggesting he suspects something’s amiss.
I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “Sir, I believe that Rehan Haddad has vital work he needs to complete. I need to know if you have had a response from Headquarters.”
Anderson regards me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before he nods. “I have spoken with HQ. They are aware of a negotiator who’s working on behalf of the opposition party and trying to broker peace in the region. Until Haddad’s identity can be confirmed, though, he must remain our prisoner. We have more senior interrogators on our side, but since Haddad is insisting on speaking only to you… I will allow you to work with him as long as you report back to me immediately after each meeting. However, it will be unofficial until we have something concrete.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply, relieved that my senior officers are taking Rehan’s claims seriously.
As I leave the tent, the weight of my actions and what I’m about to do settles on my shoulders. I’ve stepped into morally gray territory, driven by a conviction that there’s something worth saving in Rehan Haddad. I am putting all my trust in a man who is not only a stranger but my enemy. If he can bring something to the table to help broker peace, though, then I will do everything in my power to make that happen.
My feelings about Rehan are becoming confused. I can’t deny that anymore. There is something that draws me to him. The major has instructed me to gain Rehan’s trust, but that’s impossible within the constraints of an official interrogation. Maybe it will help if I speak to him in a more informal way.
An idea hits me, and I head to the kitchen to pick up some fresh bread. I hope a well-intentioned gift will encourage him to trust me more. Maybe I’ll get the opportunity to understand the man who is invading my thoughts almost constantly now.
Chapter Five.
Rehan
It was a big leap of faith on my part to reveal any information about my mission to Captain Riley, but from the few interactions I’ve had with her, I feel sure she’s the right person to confide in.
I know her senior officers will have to check out my story and confirm that I am who I say I am. I’m also aware there will be military protocols and regulations that will have to be complied with, but I’m hopeful I’ll be given my freedom and allowed to continue my work as soon as possible. In the meantime, I have insisted Captain Riley be allowed to act as liaison between the military and me.
I’m lying on my cot, staring at the rain cascading through a hole in the roof, when Harper appears at the doorway.
“Rehan,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the deluge outside.
My heart quickens. This isn’t the usual time for her to visit, but I’m glad all the same. I’ve become increasingly intrigued by her. She’s not like any woman I’ve ever met. Despite my situation, I’ve been enjoying our conversations. She’s soaked up my knowledge and imparted wisdom of her own. She’s abeautiful and smart woman, and I can’t help but feel attracted to her.
I’ve not spoken to a female like this before. Most of my students were male. According to our current government, a woman’s role is to cook, clean, and run a household for her husband, so an education is considered unimportant. I’ve never held this view, and it’s one of the main reasons I stayed in education rather than marry. I wanted to help encourage the next generation of men in my country to consider females as their equals.
I suspect Harper couldn’t cook to save her life, but her views on past conflicts and the reasons behind them fascinate me.
“Captain Riley,” I reply, keeping my voice equally low as I rise from the cot. “I want to assure you I was not making any plans to escape. I hope you believe me. I suspect the other prisoners were hoping I’d be shot.”
She steps inside, closing the door behind her, and from beneath her jacket, she produces a small package wrapped in cloth.
“I don’t know if I should, but I trust you. I brought you something,” she says, handing me the package.
It’s warm to the touch, and the delicious smell that wafts from it makes my stomach growl.
I carefully unwrap the parcel to find a small loaf of freshly baked bread nestled inside.
“Thank you,” I tell her, genuinely touched by this simple act of kindness.
Hot food is a luxury in these sparse conditions, and the bread is a welcome change to the bland food that’s been provided to me in the camp.
“It’s not much, but I thought you might appreciate something different,” Harper responds, watching me with an intensity that makes the air between us feel charged.
This is not the gesture of a captor toward a prisoner. This is one person reaching out in kindness to another. I break the bread with my hands and offer her a piece, which she hesitantly accepts.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, needing to understand her motives.
Taking a small bite of the bread, Harper chews thoughtfully before answering. “Because I don’t just see you as a prisoner. I see you as a person, and I believe that even in times of war, we should always try to retain our compassion.”
Her words resonate deeply within me, echoing my own beliefs.
“I agree,” I reply. “In the middle of all this chaos, it’s easy to forget who we are and become killing machines, monsters, who have no pity for those we perceive as the enemy. Simple acts of friendship can remind us of our humanity. Like during the First World War, when the German and allied forces put down their guns and played soccer on Christmas Day.”
