Third Person's POV
“Why are you running away?” Terence asked.
Halle sighed, her breath swirling in the cold mist.
“I’ve already made a wish. Why wouldn’t I leave?” she stated as a matter-of-factly.
Terence frowned, his expression stiff. There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice as he asked, “Aren’t you curious about my wish?”
Halle shook her head and looked at him with a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Terence, you’re not that important to me. Also, you don’t have to worry. I won’t bother you anymore.”
The tension between them, sharp and unyielding like two locked blades, lingered long into the evening.
Outside, several large tables were set up for a grand feast. A local ethnic dance troupe had even been invited to perform.
As Halle and Terence entered the camp, they bumped into Darlene, who was carrying a bowl and a spoon.
The lively atmosphere caught Halle off guard.
“What’s going on out there? Why’s it so lively?” she asked, still trying to process the scene.
Terence opened his mouth to explain, but before he could say a word, Halle grabbed Darlene’s arm and dragged her outside.
“Captain Benson, tell me what’s happening!”
Darlene chuckled, freeing one hand to playfully tap Halle on the forehead.
“You and Terence had another fight, didn’t you? Is that why you’re sulking?”
Halle stayed silent for a moment, her smile fading into something more bitter. “Just tell me what’s going on.”
“Look over there,” Darlene said, gesturing with her chin.
Halle followed her gaze to see a group of young people in white coats stepping out of an SUV.
“It’s the new batch of volunteer doctors,” Darlene explained. “Every year, a new group comes to help in Tanzania. Some volunteer out of passion, others to boost their careers. But not many stay beyond a year because of the hard conditions here.”
Halle nodded knowingly. Life in Tanzania was no joke. Even basic things like taking a shower were a challenge as one had to draw water first before one could do so. Also, at night, one couldn't sleep deep due to the massive population of mosquitoes around.
Yet she had endured these for three years.
Perhaps her love for Terence had burned so brightly that it dulled the hardship, making her believe that as long as she could see him, life felt sweet despite the bitter hardships.
After dinner, Halle ran back to her room, carefully cradling something in her hands. She rushed to find Darlene and presented her with a handmade Maasai beaded ornament—a traditional symbol of blessings for love and unity, often given at weddings, rituals, and community events in Tanzania.
Holding her present, she gratefully said, “Captain Benson, thank you for taking care of me these past few years. You made this camp feel like a warm, welcoming home.”
Darlene’s eyes sparkled as she accepted the gift. “Well, aren’t you sentimental all of a sudden?”
She smiled warmly but wondered, 'Is this meant for this kind of occasion?'
Before Darlene could say more, Terence appeared out of nowhere. His eyes landed on the knot, and his expression was unreadable.
“Why does she get a gift?” he asked. “Where’s mine?”
His words felt like a dagger, striking Halle squarely in the heart.
He knew how she felt about him, yet he still said something so cruel. Asking her for a Maasai beaded ornament—a blessing for happiness in love—felt like forcing her to acknowledge his relationship with someone else.
Tears pricked her eyes as she stood up, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.
“Fine! I’ll prepare your gift too,” she choked out before turning and walking away. Her clenched fists trembled, a clear sign of the storm she was holding back.
Behind her, Darlene’s voice broke through the silence, scolding Terence.
“What’s wrong with you? That poor girl gave me a gift to express her gratitude, and you just had to come in and ruin it. Now she’s upset because of you! Can’t you read the room for once?”
Terence snorted, crossing his arms. “Ungrateful brat. Who’s helped her the most around here? Me! So what if I ask for a gift?”
His tone carried a petulant edge, almost like a childish complaint.
Listening to Terence’s almost teasing rebuttal, Halle felt her chest tighten. It was as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs.
Third Person's POV
The conversation outside her room felt like a private exchange between lovers, with Halle as the unintentional third wheel.
She had never seen Terence like this before. Normally, he was all sharp edges—a constant frown and cold, unfeeling eyes. She had grown used to that version of him, believing he treated everyone the same.
But seeing him now, with his guard down around Darlene, was jarring.
It was clear that when people truly care for someone, they drop the pretense, exposing their most vulnerable selves. And Terence had made it abundantly clear who held his heart.
There were only two days left now. Tomorrow, Halle would leave Tanzania for good.
She glanced at the small gift box holding the Maasai beaded ornament she had spent the night stringing. A pang of sadness welled up inside her.
A sudden knock at the door broke her thoughts.
When she opened it and met Terence’s gaze, she instinctively hid the box behind her back.
This was the first time in two years he had come to her door.
Terence’s eyes swept the room, landing on the scattered clothes atop her bed. His heart suddenly clenched.
“Why are you packing?” he asked, a trace of unease in his voice.
Halle bit her lip and forced a smile. “You don’t need to worry about that. Your focus should be on Captain Benson and whatever plans you two have. Don’t waste your energy on me.”
Terence raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You already know? I wanted to surprise you,” he admitted with a smile.
That smile struck Halle like a blow.
Was news of his marriage to Captain Benson supposed to be a surprise for her?
The joy on his face was unmistakable as if he couldn’t wait to tell the world how happy he was. His cruelty wasn’t just in the announcement—it was in the way he delivered it, leaving no room for doubt or hope.
As such, her resolution solidified. By tomorrow, she would be gone, and none of this would matter anymore. It would just be a dream—a bittersweet, fleeting dream.
Steeling herself, Halle brought the gift box out from behind her.
But before she could say anything, Terence’s phone rang. He turned away to take the call, his expression shifting the moment he answered.
The voice on the other end was urgent. “Captain Bacchus, Captain Benson’s leg wound is infected. She’s in a lot of pain and can’t move. She might not be able to go on the mission.”
Terence’s brow furrowed deeply. “I’ll be there right away.”
Hearing this, Halle tucked the gift box into her pocket, grabbed the medical kit, and marched to the door.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s go!” she called over her shoulder.
Terence, momentarily stunned, quickly followed her.
After some basic treatment, the infection seemed under control.
“She shouldn’t move for now,” Halle advised the surrounding team members.
On the bed, Darlene tried to sit up despite the pain, her forehead slick with sweat.
“That won’t work,” she said firmly. “The poachers are set to move at dawn. We need to prepare our ambush this afternoon.”
Terence’s expression darkened as he snapped, “You’re staying here to recover. That’s an order!”
His frustration was palpable, his tone brooking no argument.
For the first time, Halle noticed the thin sheen of sweat on Terence’s forehead, despite the cold wind. It wasn’t from exertion but worry—a side of him she rarely, if ever, saw.
Darlene, however, was less than pleased with his decision. The two of them began arguing fiercely, their voices rising.
Eventually, Terence ordered everyone out of the room—including Halle.
Halle lingered outside, clutching the gift box in her pocket as she paced nervously.
The shouting stopped after a while. Curious, Halle peeked through the window.
Inside, Terence was gently wiping sweat from Darlene’s brow, his face etched with worry and tenderness.
It was a stark contrast to the Terence she knew.
Not when she was held at gunpoint during their first meeting. Not when she got lost in the mountains, drenched and terrified.
The Terence she saw now was someone entirely different—a man who showed his care openly, without reservation. But it was the care that was never meant for her.
Third Person's POV
Terence always seemed so composed.
Halle once thought it was because his job had trained him to handle anything with unshakable calm. But now, she realized it wasn’t composure—it was indifference.
After all, when you truly love someone, how can you remain so unbothered?
Lowering her gaze, she couldn’t bear to watch the sweetness unfolding inside the room any longer.
Quietly, Halle placed the small gift box on the wooden table by the door.
Inside were two things: the Maasai beaded ornament she had strung as a blessing for him and a goodbye note tucked beneath it. The note carried only a single sentence: [Terence, I’m leaving. I wish you happiness, and I hope we never meet again.]
Originally, she had planned to give it to him the day she left. But now, today felt like their true farewell as Terence was on a mission that afternoon and likely wouldn’t return anytime soon.
The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden hue, by the time someone picked up the box.
Terence smiled as he recognized it—he’d seen Halle holding it before. It was probably the gift he had jokingly pestered her for.
Before he could open it, the sharp sound of a car horn interrupted him.
“Captain Bacchus! Get in the car! We’re running out of time!”
Glancing at the carefully wrapped box, Terence gently slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat, making sure it stayed clean and untouched by dust.
Hidden behind a tree, Halle watched him leave, letting out a quiet sigh as tears streamed down her face.
“Goodbye, Terence,” she whispered.
This was likely the last time she would ever see him.
Tanzania to Washington was thousands of kilometers apart—a distance too great to cross again. Once missed, it would be forever.
Wiping away her tears, Halle turned and walked back toward the camp. On her way, she ran into a group of newly arrived support doctors.
“Dr. Dolton!” one of them called out excitedly. “Could we get your autograph? We both came here because of you!”
Halle froze, caught off guard.
“Me?” she asked, pointing to herself in disbelief.
“Of course!” they gushed. The two normally serious doctors had transformed into starstruck fans.
“Your three years of service here in Tanzania have been such an inspiration. Your story is posted on our university’s honor board—and even made it onto social media a few times! And everyone online is obsessed with your love story with Captain Bacchus!”
Hearing that, Halle managed a faint smile, though she could feel how bitter it was. She accepted the pen they handed her and signed her name on their white coats.
“Thank you, Dr. Dolton! We’ll treasure this forever!” they said, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
Seeing how thrilled they were, Halle couldn’t bring herself to tell them she was leaving soon. She didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm for volunteering in Tanzania.
If only they knew—she wasn’t as strong or brave as they imagined.
When Halle returned to the camp, Captain Howell stopped her.
“Halle!” he called out. “Your transfer application was approved. You can start packing.”
She turned to accept the papers he handed her, meeting his slightly regretful gaze.
“Oh, come on, Captain Howell,” she said, patting his shoulder in a playful attempt to lighten the mood. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Don’t get all sentimental on me!”
Captain Howell, one of the first people to join the station, was now an older man with graying hair that reflected his years of dedication.
“Will we, though?” he muttered softly, almost to himself. Then he shook his head. “Anyway, thank you for sticking it out here for three years. It’s not an easy life,” he said with a sigh. “Your contribution has been a huge help to the team.”
Halle smiled faintly, though guilt tugged at her heart. She didn’t feel nearly as deserving of his praise as he made her out to be.
