It was Monday afternoon, which showered Neha with the great news of the initialization of her dream’s accomplishments. Neha, who is a twelve years old girl, is studying in grade 7 at NHA. She is extremely patriotic with a firm aim of serving her country by becoming a fighter pilot in Pakistan Air Force. Neha fails to understand the logic behind barring the girls from becoming fighter pilots in PAF which was at the moment policy being followed by Pakistan. But Neha wanted to fight for her rights till the time the door of Air Force opens up for girls in the flying branch. Neha never thought that her prayers would be answered in such an early stage of life which would mark a beginning of her efforts in the direction of becoming a fighter pilot.
She was having her silent Math’s class in the school. The teacher’s explanation and the running ceiling fan were just the sources of noise in the class. The students were trying hard to understand the strange topic of trigonometry.
Every one had their minds fixed at the teacher’s explanation that suddenly the door slid open and all the students looked at the door with widened eyes. Sir Amir entered the class. He was the steadfast PT teacher of the school. As soon as the children saw him, they stood up in respect and wished him good morning.
He cleared his throat and said, “I am sorry for disturbing your class, Miss, but …it was really important.” He then smiled.
“Oh! No problem, go ahead,” She smiled sweetly and left the classroom.
“Common in, Captain,” He said, after the teacher left the class.
Captain! Captain! It echoed in Neha’s skull at least ten times.
A tall man stepped inside the classroom with a bright smile on his face, dressed in the PAF uniform neatly. He glared at the whole class and Neha looked at his light brown eyes. He was rather handsome.
The students were staring at him surprisingly. Sir Amir noticed it and said happily,
“I know you all are surprised to see a PAF man in front of you. Well…” He looked at them and smiled and then continued,
“He is Group Captain Bilal…”
“Captain Bilal? Captain…?” Neha shouted excitedly but suddenly her eyes met Sir Amir’s furious gaze.
“Amm… I am really sorry!” Neha said abruptly before Sir Amir could remind her of the manners. Neha felt extremely ashamed of herself but it wasn’t her fault! ‘The words just slipped form her tongue!’ she tried to explain herself.
“Captain Bilal has come here for an important announcement. So…Captain Bilal…” Sir Amir looked and smiled at him after every two words. Then, indicated him to continue.
Group Captain smiled at Neha.
‘What? Is he smiling at me? Me??’ Neha smiled back at him and he continued.
“Well…students, first of all, nice to meet you, here.”
He had a smooth, manly voice. He looked at Neha again, which made her blush once more.
“I have come here to tell you that a competition has been organized by Indian Air Force between Pakistani and Indian students and it is going to take place at PAF Masroor Base, Karachi
“There, the students will also be taught about different fighter planes; its basic parts and equipment, the weapons which has a lot to do in the quiz of the competition. A few sports and an abundant of exercise would be the daily routine. A tough training, I must tell, it would be to triumph over India
“Would PAF be kind enough to let girls participate in the completion, this time?” Neha asked him airily.
“Of course, this competition is for both boys and girls and we will take students from the co-ed schools. But…” He paused for a second and then added. “Will you elaborate what you meant by, ‘this time’?”
Neha smiled at him and said,
“Actually, I meant to say that PAF thinks girls are weak and that is the reason they don’t allow poor girls to become fighter pilots. So, I was in a doubt that maybe this time too, they will not give us a chance to serve our country which is actually our right.”
“Well…it seems that you are willing to participate in the competition.” He said and smiled.
“I would just love too! How can I miss such a lovely chance!” Neha exclaimed.
Watching Neha, other students also raised their hands to let him know that they also wanted to participate in it.
“Good!” He said. “Your class is really a good one. I am pleased to see their willingness.” He laughed.
“Thank you, Capt Bilal…. so, shall we go, now?” Sir Amir inquired.
“Sure!” He said and referred to Neha, “So, we will be waiting there for our lady fighter pilot!”
“Oh…I can’t just afford to miss such a lovely chance, sir.” Neha smiled.
He wished the students good-bye and walked out of the classroom along with Sir Amir.
“Fighter pilot…! He was calling me a fighter pilot! Oh my God, I can’t believe it.” Neha shouted happily.
“Of course, he had too! You seemed to be so excited then.” Sadia, Neha’s best friend, laughed.
“But the thing is…how are we going to make our parents let us go for the training?” Rizwan said worriedly.
“Oh yeah…that’s a big problem.” Neha said.
“I know…what to do!!” Sadia shouted and snapped her fingers.
“Would you please let us know?” Another student asked.
“Butter them up! Simple!!” Sadia shouted happily.
“Amm…which one Sad? Blue Bang Margarine?” Neha taunted.
“Yes, Neha is right! Blue Band will be okay.” Rizwan sided with Neha.
There had been a good friendship between Neha, Sadia and Rizwan since they were in junior classes. They loved teasing each other but never took the remarks as an affront.
While, Neha and Rizwan were busy making fun of Sadia, the bell rang. The students wished ‘best of luck’ to each other and left the classroom.
“Sadia, I think, I’ll call you in the evening.” Neha shouted to her who was going inside the school van.
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