Chapter 6 A Promise in A Uniform

Alia's apartment looked like a war room disguised as a library. Towers of textbooks lined every surface, pastel‑hued flashcards fluttered like battle flags, and the lingering scent of instant coffee permeated the air. For two straight weeks she had lived inside these walls-leaving only for lectures, labs, and the occasional sunrise walk when her lungs demanded fresh air.

Every night, Jamal's flashcards waited on her desk-pinks for pharmacokinetics, blues for pharmaceutics, yellows for tricky drug interactions-silent reminders that someone believed in her even when she doubted herself.

When the last exam bell rang, relief hit harder than morphine. Alia left the hall on unsteady legs, adrenaline draining from her muscles. Across campus, students whooped with freedom, hugging friends and dragging suitcases toward the gate. She hurried home to pack: her father would arrive within the hour to shuttle her forty‑five minutes back to the barracks.

In the quiet of her room, she folded each blouse, each lab coat, whispering thank‑yous to every page that had carried her through. She tucked Jamal's flashcards into the front pocket of her duffel-like talismans against whatever came next.

---

At home, the hallway echoed with familiar clatter-her mother's soft instructions to the cook, Adam's laughter drifting down from an upstairs balcony, the Colonel's voicemail pinging with last‑minute orders. Yet one presence was missing: Jamal.

They'd texted sparingly-his messages short but encouraging.

> Rehearsal 0600 to 2200. One more day, starshine.

Sleep, hydrate, and dream of outranking me in discipline.

See you after the ceremony. Promise.

Alia's anticipation curled inside her ribs. She ironed a powder‑blue chiffon gown for the parade, smoothed the neckline, and wondered how a single day could change so much.

---

Passing‑Out Day

The parade grounds gleamed under a cloudless sky. Rows of cadets stood like marble statues, olive uniforms pressed into rifle‑straight lines. The brass band's drums rumbled in Alia's chest as she found a seat beside her parents. Her father's shoulders squared with pride; her mother dabbed the corners of her eyes with a lace handkerchief. Behind them, Aisha bounced on her toes snapping photos, while other friends from campus waved miniature academy flags.

When the Commandant called Jamal's name, Alia's breath stalled. He stepped forward-tall, composed, medals catching the sun. A fresh silver bar gleamed on his new officer's shoulder. In that moment, the entire parade ground seemed to quiet just for him.

The oath rang out-echoing across the field-and Alia's pulse matched every word: honor... courage... duty...

Applause thundered. Jamal saluted smartly, then turned, scanning the rows until his gaze locked on Alia. Even at a distance, she felt the connection snap taut between them like an unbreakable thread.

---

After the ceremony, crowds spilled onto the grass, snapping photos, embracing newly commissioned officers. Jamal strode toward Alia with purpose-his gait steady, smile controlled but bright with something fierce.

When he reached them, the Colonel stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Lt. Jamal Ibrahim," he said proudly, shaking Jamal's hand. "You've made us all proud."

"Thank you, sir," Jamal replied, eyes flicking to Alia. "If I may steal her for a moment?"

The Colonel's brows rose knowingly, but he nodded. "Don't keep her long."

Jamal offered Alia his arm. She looped her fingers through, heart hammering as he guided her past rows of tents and cheering families toward a quieter patch of manicured garden behind the reviewing stand-roses blooming red, white, and blush beneath an arch of flowering bougainvillea.

The moment felt too perfect to be real-blue sky, crisp uniform, the scent of roses layered over faint gunpowder from the morning's volley salute.

Jamal stopped beneath the archway. She opened her mouth to congratulate him, but he pressed a finger gently to her lips, eyes shining.

"Alia," he began, voice low but certain, "I've repeated vows of duty and honor all morning-but none of them matter more than the promise I'm about to make now."

Her breath trembled.

He reached into his pocket, drew out a small velvet box the color of midnight skies, and sank to one knee on the grass. The crisp lines of his uniform contrasted with the tenderness in his eyes.

"From the first moment your father told me about his brilliant, stubborn daughter who fought pain with a smile, I knew my heart already belonged to you. Every late‑night vigil, every flashcard, every silent prayer outside hospital doors-led me here."

He opened the box. Inside, a delicate platinum ring cradled a single oval sapphire, deep and dusk‑blue-surrounded by a halo of tiny diamonds like stars around a lone moon.

Alia's vision blurred.

"I want to spend every day earning the right to stand beside you-cheering your victories, whispering hope through your storms, and reminding you how unbreakable you truly are. Alia Edrees, will you marry me-heart, soul, and stubborn brilliance included?"

Her knees weakened. Tears spilled, meeting the curve of her smile. She let out a soft, shaky laugh. "Yes," she whispered, voice breaking. "Yes, Jamal... a hundred times, yes."

Joy exploded across his face. He slipped the ring onto her finger with hands that shook despite years of military discipline. Then he rose, gathering her carefully into his arms. She melted into his embrace, the world narrowing to the warmth of his chest, the steady rise and fall of his breath, the thunder of her own heart.

Cheers erupted behind them-Aisha screaming, Adam whooping, her mother sobbing into the Colonel's shoulder. Jamal kissed her-soft, reverent, sealing the promise in sapphire and sunlight.

Alia drew back, cupping his face. "Lieutenant Ibrahim, you just made me the strongest woman alive."

He brushed her tear‑damp cheek. "You've always been the strongest. I'm just lucky you said yes."

They walked back hand‑in‑hand-her ring catching every glint of afternoon light, his new rank shining on his shoulders-two soldiers of different wars, now fighting on the same side.

And somewhere in Alia's heart, hope unfurled fully at last.