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What does he mean by this? Kayel thought to himself.

"I don't understand…" He shook his head as he came closer to him. The veteran soldier who is in his retirement age slowly got a tiny picture from his pocket.

"This is my daughter," He softly said as he handed him what he's holding. He has no clue either.

"Please, tell her I am fine. Even if I will not survive anymore, let her know I will always be here for her.

Kayel looked puzzled. However, looking at the situation of the man, he couldn't help but to pity him. He could imagine the situation they're in right now. Kayel thought that a family member could have a very hard time accepting the fact that the head of the family will die as they go for battle as mighty soldiers.

"By the way, I am Master Sergeant Mack Acosta." Kayel took his hand for a handshake.

"Kayel Paciello. Nice meeting you, sir." He answered in an awkward tone. He was still holding the picture as he slid it to the side pocket of his pants.

"I will treat this as a favor of a lifetime if you grant my wish."

"I will try my best, sir." As soon as he heard it, Mack smiled between the excruciating pain he's experiencing right now.

"Please rest now, sir. I am hoping for your fast recovery."

Albert invited him to accompany him as they went outside. They also asked their new found friends that they will go ahead to do their few weekend duties as well. Kayel looked back at Mack who looked miserably injured back at the corner of the room.

"Do you know him?" He asked Albert as they walked side to side. He took a glance of Mack for the last time before they closed the door of that ward.

"Yeah. He's one of the toughest soldiers I know."

"I noticed that he has a lot of serious injuries."

"Yeah. He's the one severely shot during the sudden raid of the terrorist rebels in one of our camps."

"I hope he could make it."

"That, I am not sure about. Let's just hope that he will recover soon."

The next day, Kayel decided to visit the ward again. However, as soon as he peeped through the glass covering of the door, he noticed that Mack was not on his bed anymore. He closed his eyes as he poked his clenched fist on the wall beside the door.

He felt goosebumps all over his body. He realized that life is indeed unfair. How he wished that he had known him more before he passed away.

Mack left him with a terrible dilemma this time. How could he explain this to Mack's family? He knew that most of the retired soldiers were all excited to go home and stay with their family for good. But in Mack's case, I guess it will be a bad news for the whole family.

Kayel decided to ask about the information of Mack, including his address and where his family lives. His death became a private matter as per his instruction. He never wanted a lot of people to know his whereabouts or what happened to him. The important thing is, he was able to tell Kayel beforehand about his daughter.

After many days, Kayel received an instruction that he will be assigned to the place near the location of Mack's family. For him, it was like a blessing in disguise. He packed his bags and he was able to keep the picture on the side pocket of his jeans. He flipped the picture backwards and he was able to see the note of Mack to his daughter saying, " Please get well soon, daddy will be home before you even know it."

Feeling weird, Kayel understood what Mack wanted him to do. He felt sullen that even if it was Mack's last moments, he was not able to forget his daughter and the rest of his family. Now that he has the picture, he feels that he is bearing the biggest responsibility Mack left for him to do.

" Please take care, you never knew what lies ahead of you there. Please get in touch whenever you're free." Albert reminded him as he packed his remaining luggage.

"Thank you for the well wishes, Al. I will never forget everyone here. Please take care as well." He responded as he smiled.

"Are you sure you will really go?"

"I guess nothing can ever stop me this time. I have to take care of something and it really matters to me."

Kayel didn't go into details about what Mack left for him to do. He preferred to keep it private not to involve more people. He was the one Mack trusted the most. He must fulfill what he promised in front of the bed where he laid the last time.

He traveled away from the barracks. Looking back, he promised himself that he would find Mack's family no matter what. Even if it will be near or far.

It was a six-hour travel by bus from where he came from. As soon as he alighted from the bus, a ray of hope filled him up. He could feel that he will locate the exact address anytime. All he needs to do is to be patient. He felt the need to do his duty first before visiting Mack's family.

He started to walk towards the nearest store. Holding the picture he started asking about the whereabouts of Mack's family. He held to his luck. He let the store owner look at the picture and asked about the girl.

"This girl looked familiar." The store owner replied after asking about her.

"Do you know where I could see this girl? Do you know their exact address?

" Yes. I can accompany you to their house if you want."

" I'd be glad to." Kayel couldn't help but to be excited. He thinks this man was related to Mack's daughter.

" By the way, I am Vickie's uncle. Nice to meet you."