The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 11

Joseph and I started dating, but our demanding jobs meant we rarely had time to see each other.

Most of our encounters took place in war–torn regions–he’d be rushing to treat the wounded, while I’d be in the operating room, fighting to save lives.

A fleeting touch as we brushed past each other was often the only connection we shared.

The patchy network signal didn’t help either, Days would pass without hearing from each other, but then, out of nowhere, my phone would buzz nonstop as messages flooded in. They were disorganized, chaotic, as if they too had braved gunfire and destruction, but they carried the weight of longing and steadfast affection.

The situation in North Kivu grew increasingly dire.

Our first argument happened on the day a village near Goma was attacked.

When we arrived, the armed militants hadn’t fully retreated, and the security forces were still exchanging fire with them.

We rushed back to the vehicle, preparing to evacuate, but Joseph suddenly jumped out of the ambulance.

There, at the edge of the battlefield, lay a collapsed villager.

Joseph hoisted the man onto his back and carried him to safety, his own body cut and bleeding from shrapnel.

I was furious and terrified, yelling at him, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

But he stood his ground. “I’m a doctor! I couldn’t just leave him there! His leg was injured, but he could’ve survived. If I didn’t save him, he would’ve died for sure!”

I knew he was right, and I knew it was his duty to save lives.

But when he returned covered in blood–so much blood I couldn’t tell which was his and which

wasn’t–my composure crumbled.

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Chapter 11

his injuries were only superficial, I broke down,

lose anyone else! If something happened to you, what would I

moment before wrapping his arms

careful. I won’t put myself in danger, and I won’t make

anymore.”

buried my face in

make a pinky swear,” he said, taking my hand.

breaks it will turn into a puppy!”

my tears. “If you really turn into a puppy,

he teased, grinning.

at him in frustration. He lay still, pretending to be dead. Panicked, I quickly pulled the pillow away, only to see his sly smile and perfectly fine

seemed to say: See? I’m not that easy

my eyes stung and blurred with

moment, I realized how precious every single day with Joseph truly was.

of war escalated, the Ebola virus began its relentless assault

country.

THE

busier. With a severe shortage of medical staff, he shuttled back

on treatment centers in several cities. Many doctors were

still relatively stable. On the other hand, nearly a hundred patients remained in the center. If

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of

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Chapter 11

in their beds.

decided to stay and adapt to the situation as if

Armed groups occupied the outskirts of Goma, cutting off all routes in and out. We were trapped

this tense situation, Joseph suddenly sent me a message, asking me to come to the treatment center. He didn’t explain much, but

temporarily cleared out, I saw a group

in

occupying the outskirts were Tutsis, and the Tutsis had a deep–seated blood feud with the Hutus.