A Day Like This...

As the siren sound drew nearer, Hannah became curious about what could be happening.

She peeped through the window from the penthouses and saw a military convoy from quite a distance.

"Could that be Mark? But why would there be so much convoy accompanying him?" She thought and sighed heavily.

Hannah tried concentrating on her painting but couldn't as the sound drew nearer, She checked again and this time, they were close to her yard. People in the neighborhood were gathered outside already wondering what was happening and she thought of going downstairs to see for herself as well.

Her eyes were fixed on the vehicles and suddenly, she recognized one of the soldiers who happened to be her husband's junior officer.

_Source

She became more curious and tried calling her husband's number but it wasn't going through.

The convoy eventually stopped in front of her compound and the soldiers started alighting from the vehicle.

"What's happening?" Hannah asked one of the soldiers but he didn't reply.

She could see sadness written all over their faces and knew something wasn't right.

"Where is Mark?" She asked another soldier aggressively.

Hannah's heart was racing already, she felt like her world was about to crumble as she could tell that something terrible had happened. A lot was going through her mind and finally one of the superior officers came to her with a box.

Immediately she saw the box, Hannah burst into tears.

"This can't be possible, please tell me this is not real." She screamed and wept bitterly.

The soldiers performed some military rituals, and a small parade was held before they left the premises.

The news reached their families and soon they gathered to mourn with her. It was a tough day and she wished Mark didn't leave for the mission.

---

_{Every time I leave the house, I always feel like it could be the last time I set my eyes on you...}

_{If I am fortunate to be reborn in the next life, I will choose to spend the rest of my life with you.}

---

Days passed and Hannah was able to read the note Mark left behind. Thinking about the beautiful memories they shared broke her heart more, they were so in love with each other and she didn't see herself surviving without him.

Mark was called for a peacekeeping mission two weeks ago and it wasn't something that should take much time but things got dirty while the troops were going about their job.

---

A few weeks passed and Hannah was already going about with her daily life. A lot of people thought she had forgotten Mark so quickly but deep down, she hadn't.

Every night, Hannah cried so hard but never let anyone know what was happening to her psychologically. Three months passed and Hannah missed her monthly period. She hadn't been feeling well for over a month but she thought thinking about Mark's dismissal was the cause.

She put herself together and went to the hospital to check what was going on.

"Mrs Hannah, the test result says that you are pregnant." The doctor broke the news to her.

"What do you mean, doctor? I never had sex since my husband died so how is that possible?" Hannah replied sharply.

"According to the test, you are over two months pregnant." The doctor replied and Hannah was confused.

"But, this is the first month I missed my period." She replied and the doctor explained the possibility of being pregnant and still menstruating in the early months.

Hannah left the hospital confused and as days passed, her bump started growing. Rumours went within the family that she had a new lover and people in the neighborhood wouldn't stop saying the same.

Her parents asked and she told them everything, the story sounded unbelievable but they knew Hannah had no reason to lie.

They stood by her throughout the time till she gave birth. The arrival of the baby ended the rumour about Hannah having another lover, young Richard stammered and walked exactly like his father as he grew.

Hannah did everything possible to raise Richard and he reminded everyone of Mark. He was intelligent, respectful and famous throughout the neighbourhood.

Some days after his fourteenth years birthday, Richard was busy watching the TV when he saw news about some soldiers being rescued from an underground prison. Richard saw someone who had a striking resemblance to him and called his mom.

"Mom, you need to see this."

Hannah came to the living room and was surprised to see the pictures of the rescued soldiers.

"Mark!" She stuttered.

"Isn't that dad's name?" He asked.

"Yes boy, we have to go to the military base right away." She responded.

Hannah was quiet throughout the trip and Richard hadn't seen her so troubled.

She violated the driving rules on two occasions and the police attempt to stop her was futile as she sped passed their vehicles. They couldn't catch up with her and after driving half an hour, she arrived at the military base.

"Mark! Mark!!!" Hannah started screaming immediately after she alighted from the car.

"Madam, this is a military area. You can't scream here." One of the soldiers tried stopping her but she didn't keep her voice down.

"Let her be!" A senior officer interfered.

Hannah recognised him and rushed to his side.

"Where is Mark?" She asked.

"We are on our to your place, he is receiving medical attention at the moment. Please follow me?" He replied.

Richard and Hannah followed the senior officer.

"I don't believe I will be reuniting with Dad, today is the happiest day of my life," Richard said as they walked down the hall.

They finally entered the room where Mark was and she was overexcited to see him.

Mark didn't believe his eyes, he couldn't help but burst into tears when Richard called him Dad.

"I thought you died, they said you died," Hannah said as she turned to the senior officer who was with them.

"It wasn't their fault, the terrorists who attacked us left traces like we were dead. We were kept in an underground prison since then and I couldn't stop thinking about you."

"Come here boy," Mark called Richard and they hugged each other.

It was an emotional moment for the family, they stayed with him till evening before he was allowed to go home and they lived happily after as Mark retired from the military after a few weeks.