Dreams Taking Flight
486 Words
Two Years Later
Time never waits.
It quietly changes people.
Twenty-year-old Hania Khan was now in the third year of her Biotechnology degree at a prestigious university in Malaysia.
She had earned a reputation among professors for being exceptionally curious.
If there was a question no one asked...
Hania would ask it.
If there was a problem no one wanted to solve...
She would volunteer.
Inside the research laboratory...
Professor Daniel Wong smiled as he reviewed her latest report.
"Excellent work, Hania."
"Thank you, Professor."
"I've nominated you to represent our university at the International Young Researchers' Conference next month."
Hania's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"You've earned it."
A bright smile spread across her face.
"I won't disappoint you, Professor."
After class, Zara hugged her tightly.
"I knew it!"
Amina clapped happily.
"We're celebrating tonight."
Hania laughed.
"Only if you're paying."
"Absolutely not."
The three friends laughed together.
That evening...
Hania made her weekly video call to Mussoorie.
The moment the screen lit up—
"HANIIII!"
Aashi appeared first.
"Didi!"
"My little monkey!"
"I'm not a monkey anymore!"
"Oh really?"
"I'm in Class Eight now."
Hania smiled proudly.
"My Choti is growing up."
Soon, Shanya joined the call.
She looked exhausted.
Dark circles were visible beneath her eyes.
"What happened to you?"
Shanya groaned.
"Journalism."
Hania laughed.
"So... deadlines?"
"So many deadlines."
"And tomorrow I have to interview a retired Army officer."
Hania smirked.
"Practice on your brother."
"Absolutely not."
"He'll start giving lectures."
Both girls burst into laughter.
"By the way..."
Shanya grinned mischievously.
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"Bhai got promoted."
Hania's smile widened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"He deserves it."
Shanya nodded proudly.
"He does."
There was a brief silence.
Then Hania said sincerely,
"Congratulations to him."
"I'll tell him."
Army Base
The promotion ceremony had ended only a few hours earlier.
Now Major Eshaan Singh sat in his office finishing paperwork.
His mentor, Brigadier Kabir Rathore, entered without knocking.
"Congratulations, Major."
"Thank you, Sir."
Kabir placed a file on the table.
"You've earned every bit of this."
Eshaan nodded respectfully.
Just then, his phone vibrated.
Shanya 📱
He answered.
"Yes?"
"Bhai!"
"Hmm?"
"Hania said congratulations."
Eshaan paused for a second.
"She remembered?"
"Of course."
Shanya smiled.
"She also said you deserve the promotion."
A faint smile appeared on Eshaan's face.
"Tell her... thank you."
"I will."
Later that night...
Eshaan stood outside the officers' quarters.
The cool breeze reminded him of Mussoorie.
He looked up at the stars.
Somewhere beyond those skies...
Hania was probably finishing another research paper.
Still chasing her dream.
Still arguing with people.
Still making everyone around her laugh.
He quietly shook his head.
"I hope you're taking care of yourself..."
The words escaped before he even realized it.
He rarely said such things aloud.
But somehow...
When it came to Hania...
He found himself hoping she was happy.
Completely unaware...
That fate had already begun preparing the next chapter of their story.
- Writer
