It'll Come Naturally

Kevin had been practicing overseas for ten hours a day. The sessions were so grueling that he sometimes wondered if he was not at a training base but in a living hell.

He had promised Leena he would call her daily, but he hadn't had the time to do so even once. He had been here for a month already. His body was sore and ached all day long. Kevin had no time to spare to Leena or his family.

At the training base, Kevin was not a Major General. He was an ordinary soldier - just like the others. He had no privileges or a sense of superiority. Everyone was equal here.

His feet were worn and his arms had cuts and bruises all over - it was not unusual among the soldiers here. They not only needed to train land battle skills, but also to improve on air and naval combat. The practice made them stronger and more able soldiers.

His companions included some western soldiers. Kevin was as tall as they were but less muscular. That didn't mean that he was too weak to fight them or that he lagged behind. Kevin was highly skilled in unarmed and hand-to-hand combat. He proved to be a good match for them.

Once, they were practicing high altitude jumps. One of the soldiers was new to the training and frightened. He was about to jump. On an impulse, he grabbed Kevin, who was standing behind him. They took the fall together. Anyone else would find it a jarring experience and be rattled, but Kevin was an exception. He opened his parachute in accordance with the steps, the very picture of calm vigilance. Both of them landed safely.

Since then, Kevin had developed quite a reputation among the soldiers. The incident counted among his many achievements. Many admired him for his courage and composure. Kevin always had eyes on him and would take the lead in every project. The soldiers addressed Kevin as "The Soldier King" in reverence. His intense training during the time Leena had left him certainly had an impact on his performance.

They jumped through burning flames, crept forward in muddy waters and climbed high mountains. This not only strengthened their bodies - it increased their agility, discipline and more importantly, made them more fearless.

People admired soldiers for they looked so handsome in military uniforms, but little did they know how dangerous their training sessions were. Sweat and blood had turned them into excellent assets. Being in the military was not just about surface heroism. The ordinary people who had not enlisted in the army would never understand that.

God was never cruel to kindhearted people, and it was the same with Leena. Perhaps he had been too busy lately, so Leena's good fortune was a little late to arrive.

Leena had been so busy with her designs that she hadn't taken her medicine in the past few months. Now that she had some time on her hands, she decided to go to Renxin Hospital and get a thorough examination done. Tom had advised her to do so previously. When Leena entered Tom's office, she didn't throw herself into Tom's arms like she used to. Instead, she flashed him a friendly yet distant smile as she greeted him.

"Tom, good morning." She still sounded sweet and caring, but Tom could tell she was maintaining a distance from him. She was not being casual or intimate.

"Oh. Good to see you, Leena." Her distant behavior ached Tom's heart. 'Why is she being so formal with me? Is this about what happened earlier?' he wondered.

"Uh... You said I should get myself examined again. I was quite busy before today. So here I am," Leena said with some hesitation. In truth, she had been free for a couple of days now. However, fearing that she would encounter the bad news once again after her examination, she didn't dare come here. Today, she had finally gathered up the nerve.

"So, you've made up your mind?" Tom asked. A frown marred his face as he stared at her.

"Yep! I'm willing to undergo the treatment. Even if the medicines are bitter, I'm willing to take them as long as they help," Leena said. She was firm in her decision.

"Before all that, I want to have a talk with you." Tom leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixing on her face. He wondered what was going through her mind, judging from the perturbed expression on her face.

"A talk? About what?" Leena was reluctant to talk. She didn't want to face any questions Tom would raise. But Tom was determined.

"Why are you treating me like this? Why are you suddenly alienating yourself from me?" Tom asked out loud, giving voice to his frustration. He couldn't understand what her reasons were. Leena was still his most beloved sworn sister.

"Tom, I don't know what you are talking about. You are overreacting. Everything is the same." Leena dodged his eyes. Tom knew she was lying. Every time she told a lie, she didn't meet the other person's eyes.

"Leena, I know you well. Don't hide the truth from me. I deserve better than that." Tom sighed with profound resignation. Her behavior really bothered him.

"Tom, I'm sorry. Everyone has their own life to live, and I feel like my behavior has troubled a lot of people," Leena said. She wanted to give him a reassuring smile but failed. It was difficult for her to hold back her affection for her sworn brothers, and Tom was one of them. "Is it because of what Patricia said to you that day? Have you decided to stay away from me?" Tom asked, shutting his eyes. He rubbed at his temples in annoyance.

"She does mind our relationship, doesn't she? We might be close, but we can't be selfish and ignore how others feel." Leena bit her lower lip gently. 'Tom, why do you have to force me to say it out loud? I've always been close to you. It's a struggle for me to hold myself back,' she thought.

"Leena, have you ever thought about my feelings on this?" Tom asked. 'Patricia and Leena are best friends. They know each other so well. How is it that they are fighting because of me?' he thought.

"I'm sorry, but I have to respect her feelings. Between the two of you, I can only choose one." Leena smiled bitterly. She couldn't behave as intimately with Tom as she used to. Tom was Patricia's husband now. His first priority should be Patricia, not her. Maybe this was the cost of growing up.

"Fine. I get it." Tom was a little heartbroken. 'Why do I have to choose between my sister and wife? Can't I have them both? It's cruel.'

"Tom, don't worry about it. You still are and will forever be my dearest brother. We might not be as close to each other anymore, but our affections won't change." Leena raised her head and flashed him a wide grin, hoping it would reassure him.

"All right. Let's take your examination." Tom stood up and made his way to the examination room. His voice was remote and emotionless, and his face had turned dark.

Leena's heart broke when she saw Tom's reaction. 'Am I wrong? Patricia seems to have an objection to the way Tom and I behave with each other. What should I do? I don't want to lose either of them!' she thought, perplexed.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Tom asked Leena, his tone cold. He noticed that she didn't follow him. In the past, she would have immediately looped her arm through his. But now, she kept a certain distance from him. It confused him and made him uncomfortable. "Uh..." Leena caught up to Tom. She was worried about him. He had never spoken to her in such a cold manner before. It looked like she had really hurt him.

Once the examination was over, Leena looked at Tom uneasily and waited for his final judgment. Deep down, she expected to hear about her misfortune once again. What could have changed in such a short time?

"Are you feeling nervous?" Tom softened his voice at her sad expression. He might be disappointed with her decision of distancing herself, but she was still his sworn sister.

"A little." Leena smiled weakly. She was indeed a bundle of nerves. It felt like she was almost suffocating.

"Don't worry. You have faced worse situations before, haven't you?" Unconsciously, Tom reached out in an attempt to hold her. But as soon as he remembered her resolution to keep him at arm's length, he withdrew and stepped back.

"I know I have. But I just can't help it." Leena clutched at her dress, wringing it nervously. Each second that passed by felt like a year to her.0000000