This story is using original positions and passed out long courses. If anyone gets curious about the terms I'm using, please let me know in the comment box below. I will explain them in detail before publishing the chapter. Also please do vote for the story if you like it, thank you! :D

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       It was an unusual sunny day for place with an annual rain rate of 1532 mm with around 15 degree Celsius throughout the year. They were attending the inauguration of 139 LC (Long Course) , PMA Kakul. Emel wasn't interested in too many things but she always had a patriotic spirit inside of her. Somehow the music played by the bands gave her goose bumps. She sat next to her mother, by the cafeteria where they waited for some time and then let the boys go off and join their course mates.

        In the military, a course mate is like a true friend and a platoon mate is like a life long friend, the best friend you have by yourself until death does you apart. Asher and Ahmed were excited and nervous, they knew one thing for sure that they'd have to say goodbye to their sleep for at least six months. Till the next LC joins, they're going to be the new toys for the 4th termers to feast upon.

        PMA holds a training period for two years, with four terms at a time and each term being 6 months apart. The toughest time for a cadet is the first three months, till they have to pass a saluting test. They get only one hour of sleep for one month. two hours for second and three hours for the third month. After the Saluting test, they get to leave for their homes on a week's leave.

        The  moment arrived, the boys were ready to walk off to their destiny. Emel watched her parents proudly hug Asher, she felt pride as well but for some reason she felt sad. She knew she was going to miss this bum, and so did Asher. She peeked at Ahmed's family, he was holding his mom's hand as she guided him to achieve and accomplish what he was destined to. He gently pressed her hand and smiled at her. Emel felt comfort in that smile, a safe feeling. As if nothing could surpass the gentleness of it.

        "Yo,"Asher interrupted her,"lady who's always lost...might wanna say goodbye to your only brother?"he asked. She turned to him, took a deep sigh. It was filled with emotions and worry, insecurities and hope. Asher embraced her, like a brother would embrace his little sister. "I'll miss you,"she whispered. He nodded,"I promise I will call...make sure to not leave me hanging." Emel made him pinky swear. He chuckled as they locked their pinkies.

        Ahmed on the other hand saw them. His desire to have a sibling, someone with whom he could the same level of closeness and free-willed friendship, a companion who won't bother your bum songs at the middle of the night, bubbled up inside of him. He knew that was impossible so he let the thoughts fade away. 

        Ahmed went over to meet the Tariqs before they officially left. Colonel Tariq and his wife were as warm as ever. They told him the same things as they had guided Asher. "Be each other's strength,"Colonel Tariq advised them both. They nodded showing their understanding of the duty they were being given.

        He felt the summer's troll ring in his ears as he unintentionally took a step towards her. The silent and beautiful melody of the piano and violin mixed in the air. He felt so alien with her. Every eye contact made them both pause in the moment. It was weird and new. It wasn't the first time they had met a childhood friend but this weird aura that surrounded them whenever they felt each other's presence near them, it was mysterious indeed.

        "Sorry we didn't get to interact much. I fell asleep early,"he jokingly mocked her. She rolled her eyes. To his surprise he liked the eye roll. "But it was nice seeing you all grown up after so long...I hope we get to meet again."

        She smiled at him,"Do your best...Ahmed." She said his name. That was an improvement since last night. His eyes widened in the realization that her eyes were really silent. "T-thanks,"he stuttered.

        'Why am I getting so worked up on a person calling my name?' he questioned himself in his mind. He felt stupid and to clear the air, he hurriedly moved over to Asher. 

        Some fourth termers had already arrived to guide them further. "I'm GC ( gentleman cadet) Izaam, sir. Please be assured we'll keep these kids good company." The fourth termer, the senior most appointment holder of PMA, an ASUO (Academy Senior Under Officer), had come to collect them. The boys said their one last goodbye to everyone and followed the seniors. Colonel Tariq and Brigadier Bakhshir both eyed each other and smiled mischievously, they knew the company these two were going to get.  

        Emel and her parents parted their ways from the other family after an hour. They took the Motorway route and headed to Attock. It was 2 pm. Emel checked her phone, there wasn't any notification from anyone except her best friends in the group who were asking her how was Asher's joining. 

        Emel knew Aimen had a thing for her brother, she knew it since the day they both had participated in a skit together, back in high school. But she also knew that Aimen's generosity, love and care came without any price to pay on their behalf. How? because once in 9th grade, when Emel had a break down before their final exams of country wide board, Aimen stayed by her side and kept embracing her till Emel stopped weeping. 

        "I'm sorry I can't do anything to lessen your burden, Emel...I'm useless here but all I can offer you is my emotional and mental support. I'll give you all of it." These words told Emel that no matter what phase she showed to Aimen, she'd always be understood and accepted.

        She often felt selfish. There were times she wanted for Asher to see the beauty her best friend held but he was blinded by that girl and this frustrated Emel. She didn't understand why wasn't he getting over that stupid and selfish girl. Everyone saw the faults in her so vividly but Asher wanted to keep her. Emel often doubted if she had done some sort of black magic on her brother. No one is this captivated by a toxic person. But again...she was inexperienced in that area and did her best to not judge anyone's feelings.

        It was as if both of these siblings saw each other's struggles but couldn't do anything to save the other.

        Emel tried to get her mind off of these thoughts by looking at the scenery outside her car window. She loved the old and rusted streets of the city. It was fascinating how many stories were hidden behind each wall. Years of generations would have passed behind these old buildings, the bronze phased shops had people living in them. The most humble and welcoming ones.

        She looked up at the sky, it was clear.

        'Such an odd day for the northern folks.' She thought to herself. It got quite peaceful with no one to bother her. Mrs.Tariq was quite sad for now. Emel glanced at her parents, they kept on talking about the boys.

        "Ahmed grew up to be such a gentleman,"Colonel Tariq complemented him. Mrs.Tariq agreed,"I see him following his father's footsteps."

        "Ahmed..."Emel mumbled with unbothered thoughts and an occupied mind. "Ahmed...yeah he did grow up to be quite different, didn't he?"She looked up at the sky. For some reason, her heart sank at the mention of his name, as if a long chain had just been pulled and she didn't want to face whatever was pulling up her way because in the end...people change and change was what she hated the most.

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♡"I'll wait for you. And I'll keep on waiting for you, even if it takes forever. I'll be here, right here...till you let me be the one."♡