Cocoa and Bai Li

*Xin Lei*

Bai Li…

I buried my face in his chest. I felt him resting his chin on my head. After a short pause, Bai Li said,

"But it was bright, Xin Lei. I asked Su Weiyuan to make me sit outside on the bench under the sunlight. I didn't listen to him matter how much he tried to talk to me. I insisted. And then I stayed there for the entire twenty-four hours, but I failed to see anything. I didn't see the brightness of the sun. I didn't see the sky. I didn't see anything. And the truth that hit me hard finally started to sink in. I really couldn't see. I will never be able to see again."

I slowly rubbed his back. I sensed Bai Li wanted to say something more, but there was a beat of silence. I didn't urge him.

Then he softly whispered,

"I knew it was for the country. It is inevitable that when you are fighting for the country, a soldier sometimes has to make many sacrifices. He or she can get hurt in any of the missions. There is always so much to lose."