The Day That Will Live In Infamy(Shastri) None of us can choose our destiny, and none of us can escape it. Tears are sometimes an inappropriate response to death. When a life has been lived completely, honestly, successfully, the correct response to death's perfect puctuation is a smile. As I stare at the pillars of smoke around me, I ask myself, "Why did you have to leave me?"

Answers come and go. But the question? It remains forever.

It was a rather quiet day at the hospital, which means I did not have much work to do. The hospital has never been busy before. As a junior nurse at the hospital, I was asked to do most of the check-ups on the patients. I did not mind it anyway because besides checking on the patients, I only had to sit around the hospital until my duty was over. As I was grabbing a pen and the patients' medical reports, my mind recollected the day when I recieved the letter to service at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbour. Upon reading the letter, my heart skipped in happiness as I have always wanted to experience Pearl Harbour but never have I dreamt that it would possibly come true.

"Excuse me."

My daydream was cut short by a voice.

"Yes", I answered while scanning the two navy soldiers in front of me. One of them seemed injured.
"My friend hare has an injured arm. I think he broke it", said the man who seemed to be in his mis 30's.

I didn't think much. I quickly led them to the nearby bed and started examining his arm when I decided to look at his face. I turned numb for awhile. He had a pointed nose, hazel coloured hair, deep blue eyes, and olive skin. In that very second, I thought that I had met the most handsome man ever. I soon returned to reality only to find the two navy soldiers staring back at me. I gave a quick smile and raced to get the doctor.

That evening, it was my duty to check on the patients. When I reached bed 15 I started to have butterflies in my stomach. I flipped the pages and soon found bed 15, Adam Turner. I walked carefully towards the man who was sitting on his bed and looking back into my eyes. My right hand which was holding the pen shaked.

"How are you doing Mr. Turner?", I asked him pretending as though I felt nothing.

"I'm fine. Much better now, thank you", he replied with a sweet smile.

I could imagine myself jumping around in happiness. I nodded my head, did some check-up and quickly left.

Adam was admitted for about a week and it was the most beautiful week of my life. We got to know each other well and as soon as we knew it, we were head over heels in love. Adam was a joy to be around. He was an Army Air Corps Pilot.

After work everday, I would meet up with him at the hangers where he used to practice flying the airplanes. Sometimes, I watched him fly, and even from the ground I could see how much pride and joy he took in flying the airplane.

"As long as I remember, I have been flying. My father used to be in the navy too," he once told me when I asked him about his passion for flying.

At sunset everday, we would walk by the harbour admiring the battleships that were docked in the spaces. My favourite was that USS Nevada battleship. I often wondered how majestic she looked and how strong she was. She was one of the battleships that the US Navy took pride on.

The next day, 7th December 1941, was the day that will live in infamy for most Americans. I was having my breakfast, a slice of bread and a cup of coffee while dreaming about meeting up with Adam later. All of a sudden, there was a ear deafening sound and soon followed by many others. I ran to my yard to find my other neighbours, some holding binoculars looking up at the sky. In the sky, there were fleets of torpedo planes, releasing bombs at the naval base. I turned to my neighbour, Mr. Will, and at the top of my voice asked him, "What's going on?"
"The Japanese are attacking", he answered.
"How do you know they're Japanese?" I replied.
"You see the rising sun emblem that decorates the side of the plane?They're Japanese."

There was no time to spare. Most of the nurses including me were already on our feet to the hospital. There was fire and smoke everywhere. On my way I saw the ships that were docked in the spaces used by the carriers were sunk and burning. The battleship Nevada had tried to escape but ran aground at the entrance to the harbour. The entire airplanes at the hanger were destroyed on the ground. It was a complete mess.

When I reached the hospital it wasn't like the hospital I knew it was yesterday. There was blood, wounded people and even dead bodies everywhere. People were running everywhere and screams being heard from every corner of the hospiatl. I took a minute to actually make sense of what was happening around me. I soon ran to grab my medical kit and attended the wounded navy soldiers. I tried to work my hands as quick as possible as more and more victims were coming in. My heart constantly was hoping that Adam was safe.

Suddenly, "Abigail", a familiar voice called me.

I turned to my back to find Adam looking back at me.

"Oh, you're safe. Thank god," I said hugging him as hard as I could.

When I looked up at his eyes, I instantly recognised that something was not right. His eyes held something painful to tell me.

"What's the matter?" I asked rather worriedly.

"I have to go. The army needs me", he said in a shaking voice.

I knew he could'nt tell me more as their missions were top secret.

I wish I could tell him that he could'nt go. I just could not let him go. Before I even knew it, tears were already rolling down my eyes.

"Listen", he said, holding my arms. "If I don't ever come back, promise me that you'll move on. And remember....I love you very much."

I hugged him and he planted a kiss on my forehead. As he left me, I felt my whole world crashing before me. I felt so empty. I only had hope left with me now. Hope that my Adam Turner will return safely to me.

Meanwhile, the hospital became even more packed with victims. The hospital was running out of medical supplies. We now had to decide who could be saved and he could'nt. Even the ones who could be saved were only on anesthesia. There was nothing more we could do until help comes from the mainland.

At the end of the day, things became a little more quiet. Hours later, a couple of navy officers came to me with news that I have lost Adam. In the beginnging I felt dead, too shocked, and was in dibelief. My cheeks were wet with tears streaming down them. I fell to my knees and covered my face with my palms. In my heart I whispered, "I have lost my love, Adam".

In the attack, 2402 Americans were killed, while 1282 were wounded. In my eyes, the Japanese has successfully awakened the sleeping giant.

The next morning, the people of Pearl Harbour, attended the memorial service for the fallen victims after U.S. declared war on Japan. It was a rather painful sight. People who were usually dressed in white navy uniforms were dressed in black, holding flowers, some not even ready to say goodbye. It was a contrast scene from the usually lively Pearl Harbour.

Later that year, I moved to Tennessee ,a quiet countryside to move on with my life. I worked as a nurse in a small hospital there. Pearl Harbour held too much painful memories. Altough I try to cherish the happier moments I had with Adam, it always pains me to remember that I have lost him.

"I will always love you too, Adam", I whisper.

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