Chapter 27 - Graduation Day

The two weeks went by just like that. Yul and Zeng couldn't meet each other the following Sunday because of Zeng's change of shifts. Yul had volunteered to come to his hospital. The two hardly spent twenty minutes with each other before Zeng received a call from his supervisor about an emergency arrival and had to run away hastily with a half-eaten egg roll after giving the younger one an apologetic look and telling him to go since he would be in the ER for many more hours. That day, Yul actually realised how hectic Zeng's work life was. The man didn't even have time to eat. No wonder his health never improved.

Yul just hoped by some miracle Zeng could get a leave to attend his important day. Since Zeng was one of the most important people in his life, he wanted him to be there.

The day of graduation arrived. Before the start of the official ceremony, all the graduating trainees of the 2nd year met their parents. The parents looked extremely proud of their children after seeing them in their fully clad uniforms. Long gone were the thin, skinny 18-year-old boys, whom they had admitted here for making a career in the police profession. These boys had grown into fine young men who were stepping into society today as they will be pledging their vows to protect the people in it.

Yul's parents had arrived a few days before and had searched for a good accommodation for their graduating son. They had decided and settled for a nice apartment. Now they were standing before him, looking proudly at their only child.

Mr Wang hugged his son, proudly patting his back, remembering his days when he had graduated to a police officer himself.

"You cannot possibly imagine how proud I am feeling at this moment," the older man said to his son who was now the same height as him. Mrs Wang already had tears in her eyes, just like her husband.

Yul sighed, looking at the tears in her eyes. "Come on, dad... mom, why are you guys crying? It's a happy occasion, right? So why the tears?" He wiped her tears and hugged her to his chest.

"You won't understand," his mom said, her words muffled with more sobs, "You are not a parent yet."

Yul shook his head. Guess, he had so much to learn in this wide world. He excused himself giving his parents some time to themselves and headed towards the gate, eyes searching for a certain intern who was nowhere to be seen. The ceremony would be starting soon. Would he make it in time? Would his 1% chance actually be fruitful?

The graduating trainees took positions as Commissioner Zhou arrived and took his seat along with other higher officials. The training ground was converted into a large parade area with banners and markings on the ground. A stage was set up for the officials and chairs were put for the parents and relatives of the trainees who will now be called police officers from this day onwards. The first-year trainees stood in a separate division.

Before the parade, all the second year trainees stood in three straight lines. They were wearing the state police uniform and navy blue caps matching the uniform. Yul was at the front of the central line alone. The national flag held straight in his hands as his gaze focused ahead.

The march began as Yul gave a loud order, his voice rumbling through the air. With great synchronisation and precision, the parade marched one final time on the training grounds where they had been practising for the last two years.

Completing one lap, the parade arrived back at their former position. With another loud cry, the parade saluted the national flag, the officials and was dismissed for a short while after which all the graduating trainees will be receiving their police badges and certificates.

Yul kept looking for Zeng who didn't arrive yet. His confidence in the 1% probability was losing by now.



"No no no! Please don't be late. Please don't be late." Zeng was running through the gates of the Central Police Academy. The security guards didn't stop him as he dashed towards the huge crowd on the training grounds.

People were dispersed across the wide area. Some trainees hurdled up in groups, taking pictures as memoirs. Some parents were crying their eyes out and their sons or daughters were comforting them. Some of the graduated trainees that Zeng recognised were from Yul's batch were proposing to the female graduates, some accepting and hugging, others dimly sad by the rejections.

The first-year trainees were also spread across the area in their tracksuits, bidding farewell to their seniors. All the graduated policemen or policewomen were wearing the navy blue uniform with matching police caps, badges pinned to the left sides of their chest.

Zeng's heart sank upon the sight of the badges. He was too late.

Dejected, he searched for a particular boy in the crowd. It was difficult finding him among this crowd of freshly graduated policemen. He walked deeper into the crowd and saw a familiar figure.

Subin was surrounded by a group of first-year trainees, half of which were crying over the departure of their favourite Senior.

"Subin Sir, why are you going back to Korea?" A junior sniffled. "With whom are we going to share our vodka now?" Another one brawled out but was immediately hushed by his batchmates. "Who'll take care of us for the rest of the year, Subin Sir?" The whole group cried now.

"Gwenchana," Subin patted a junior's hair. "Come on guys, how will the criminals fear you if you cry over such trivial things. Toughen up!" The man said, his eyes red at the corners. The trainees sniffled but straightened up.

"From today onwards, you guys are second-year trainees. I am damn sure you'll be great seniors. Take care of your new juniors as your younger siblings and yeah," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "Do carry out the midnight secret parties. It's the legacy of the boys' dorm. Pass it on, okay?"

The juniors nodded before spilling more tears and wails. Subin took up his suitcase and bag after hugging each junior and walked towards the gate where his mother stood.

Zeng thought he would definitely know where Yul was.

"Subin!" He called him.