Black Eyes

Fulvio arrived at the site of the explosion; he saw the Japanese military indiscriminately beating the civilian population. A little farther away he saw the group of people kneeling in line. A Japanese officer was shooting at their heads at random. He saw the last person in the line. Kneeling with the others, she was staring into nothingness.

--Lieutenant,--Fulvio shouted in Japanese, interposing himself between the lieutenant and the line of kneeling people, --Lieutenant. Thanks to Buddha. I am the Italian military attaché. I know what happened. But I have a duty. It occurs to me that you can help me.

The lieutenant looked at him, his eyes became two stripes. He picked up his pistol. For a moment he pointed it at Fulvio. Then, controlling himself, he asked.

--What do you want to do? How do I know you are who you say you are? Why do you dare interrupt my retaliation?

--I want to take this whole group. I need people to clean my house and the latrines of my legation. My credentials are with your own commander. Ask him.

--They are part of my punishments,-- replied the Japanese, getting ready to continue his work.

--Oh, come on! My stripes are also valid here. I obey Namura. I am sure he will find more people to take our revenge,-- continued Fulvio with a smile without ceasing to stand in front of the other.

At the name The Japanese hesitated. Finally he nodded silently and ordered the civilians to get into a military truck.

--Where is your Italian legation? How do you want them to help you clean your latrines,--he finally asked.

--With his hands,-- he indicated with a knowing smile to the lieutenant.

The man again nodded silently and stopped a Nissan 6x6.

He ordered the frightened prisoners to get into the truck.

Fulvio nimbly did so as well. He had to leave quickly. Lest the other one change his mind. --Order sir, where shall I take you,--asked the driver, dumbfounded by the other man's strange attire.

--Well...drive...I'll tell you,-- said Fulvio, sitting down with an effort in the cab and thinking about the magnitude of the mess he was getting into. He glanced back. Sure enough, there she was, sitting quietly with the others in the bed of the truck, fiercely guarded by two Japanese soldiers....

--Is it in the reserved area,-- the sergeant-driver dared to ask again.

--Of course...go there,-- declared Fulvio emphatically, looking all around, the unknown city of Shanghai. I was here once, but I was not in this pitiful state....

The heavy truck rolled through the deserted streets and entered the reserved zone. Euphemistically, since it was not reserved at all and was also a target of war in all its manifestations.

--This is it,-- said Fulvio, seeing a bombed and half-destroyed mansion at a wide intersection of avenues.

--But... how?

--It was bombed yesterday. That's why I'm dressed in hospital pajamas,-- said Fulvio significantly.

The Japanese sergeant nodded open-mouthed, looking at the other, violently stopping the heavy truck.

--Do you need anything else from me?

--No. I'll be fine, but you must have a lot of things to do..... Please go and do your duties.

The group was hustled out by the Japanese soldiers, leaving Fulvio with the group of people.

--That's all I can do for you,--said Fulvio in English, knowing that the young woman would translate for them. The group bowed in the traditional Chinese greeting and silently left. The young woman was about to leave but Fulvio stopped her....

--After you brought me back to life, I was willing to fight with the entire Japanese army to have the pleasure of seeing you again,-- said the young man sarcastically, but being sincere from the bottom of his soul.

--Thank you for saving our lives. But it is still painful for me that you belong to my oppressors,-- said the young woman, fascinated once again by that man so different from all the men she had ever seen in her life. And without being able to contain herself she exclaimed in anguish: ---You have honey-colored eyes!

For Fulvio the first impression on a woman was important. He watched almost in ecstasy as the young woman took off her chignon, to release that cascade of straight black hair. She was not yellow-skinned, but rather of an impressive mother-of-pearl white, since she did not have a single drop of makeup, she eliminated the concept that states that Chinese women had small eyes; well no, she had huge and enigmatic black eyes, she was slim, he could not see her body in the middle of that wide shirt and traditional pants, but he supposed that she was well structured, her walk indicated wide hips. Her cheekbones were protruding, typical Chinese, and that mouth was simply made for kissing, as simple as that. Otherwise she was a serene and self-controlled young woman who undoubtedly belonged to the upper class, for her performance...and I wish she wasn't married, because that would definitely keep him away from believing in life.

--In short, the new bad girl in Fulvio's life,-- thought Fulvio, his heart pounding at the apparition.

--What's your name, where do you live, why do you think of appearing so suddenly,?asked Fulvio, taking a step towards the young woman and making her back up automatically, --Don't be afraid of me. I am incapable of harming you. I will never be your enemy. I have already proved that to you.

The young woman looked at him in silence. Fulvio ran out of questions. In those seconds and in the midst of those ruins both expressed their dominion over the other, they understood and Fulvio surrendered unconditionally.

--I know. You want me to surrender. I do. The Geneva convention of prisoners of war says that you must take care of me and pamper me, for I am wounded... Deeply wounded in my heart-- Fulvio tried to joke again, to once more speak sincerely from his soul.

The young woman withdrew with a bow.

Fulvio was left alone in the middle of the ruins. He began to laugh joyfully with a new feeling that he enjoyed every moment. He understood, understood, analyzed and lived from that instant that he was suddenly and deeply in love for the first time in his life, even though he reproached himself for having behaved like a perfect imbecile the two times he was with her...

--And you have black eyes,-- he said absolutely spellbound and fascinated to the figure that a few moments before had left the place.