General and I

Morning sunlight crept slowly into the small room, crawling across the faded curtains like a whisper of warmth that didn’t quite reach her heart. Leah sat by the window, her back straight, her eyes far away, watching the world stir to life outside. The streets were still quiet, the air heavy with dew, and somewhere in the distance, the first cries of the birds echoed through the room . It was another day. Another beginning that felt exactly like the last. Her fingers held tightly to the edge of a worn out photograph her parents, standing side by side, arms around her shoulders, smiling as if time itself bowed to their happiness. It was taken on her graduation day the day that had started as the most beautiful moment of her life and ended as her darkest. The day she lost them both. Leah traced their faces with trembling fingers, her lips parting slightly, as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t. Her throat ached with the silence she carried every day a silence filled with words never spoken and tears she no longer had the strength to shed. The sunlight danced across her face, catching the dark shimmer of her jet-black hair. It framed her like ink spilled over porcelain a contrast so striking it could steal breath. Her skin was soft and fair, her beauty effortless and almost cruel in its perfection. Yet, her eyes those deep, gentle eyes told another story. They held the kind of sadness that made strangers look twice, the kind that could make one wonder what a girl so beautiful could possibly be grieving for. Leah was intelligent brilliant even but her brilliance had become a quiet shadow behind the fragility she wore like silk. She’d always been a very calm and respectful girl,despite coming from a rich background,she’d never shown any form of the normal spoilt brat ,instead she focused on her studies and hope to one day manage her parents company,even though her baby sister is fragile and a cancer patient,she’d never worn it to her face,instead she’s been that kind but sister who sticked to her baby sister .She only had one friend “Jenna” who isn’t as lucky as she is,Jenna is few years older than she is but she’s always regarded her as that go to girl,her parent had taken care of Jenna like there own,even though she reject a lot of help from them ,but after persuasion she let them buy this condo they’re currently staying for her,if not they’d have ended up in the street as the uncle seized everything .She moved through the world with grace, yet every step felt cautious, as though she was afraid the ground might crumble beneath her. A soft voice stirred from the small bed across the room. “Leah… is it morning already?” Leah turned, her gaze softening as she looked at her younger sister, Maya. The girl lay weakly beneath the thin blanket, her skin pale, her lips dry, and her hair barely there. The illness had stolen much from her her laughter, her strength, her innocence. Yet, her eyes still carried warmth. “Yes, Maya,” Leah said softly, forcing a smile. “It’s morning. How are you feeling?” “The same,” Maya murmured, her voice barely audible. “Did you sleep?” “A little.” Leah lied. She hadn’t slept at all. The hum of the night, the sound of her sister’s shallow breathing, and the weight of unpaid hospital bills haunted her every second. Maya smiled faintly. “You should rest more. You look tired.” “I’m fine,” Leah replied gently, brushing a strand of hair from her sister’s forehead. “Don’t worry about me.” She always said that. And every time she did, she could feel the lie scratch at her throat. But she couldn’t let Maya see her crumble. Her sister’s hope was fragile enough it needed Leah’s smile to survive. After helping Maya sit up, Leah handed her a glass of water and her morning medication the one she had barely managed to afford last week. She watched as Maya swallowed it, her thin hands trembling. Leah looked away quickly, her chest tightening. Once Maya was settled, Leah walked into the small kitchen corner of the apartment. It wasn’t much just a gas stove that sometimes hissed when the cylinder ran low, and two cracked plates on the counter. The smell of detergent lingered faintly in the air, masking the scent of poverty she could never seem to scrub away. From the small cupboard, she pulled out a half-filled tin of milk and a bag of oats. That would be breakfast again. She poured the mixture into a pot, stirring it slowly as the silence pressed around her. Her mind wandered, as it always did, to that day the day her world had collapsed. It had been her graduation day. Her parents had promised her they would be there her father, strong and proud, and her mother, radiant as always. Leah had worn her white dress beneath the gown, feeling like a queen about to step into her destiny. The sun had shone brightly that morning, and her heart had swelled with pride. She remembered walking across the stage, hearing her name called, seeing her parents clapping with tears in their eyes. For a moment, everything had been perfect. Then came the phone call. She remembered the look on Jenna’s face as she whispered something to her professor. She remembered the silence that followed the way the air around her grew heavy. She remembered running, barefoot, the gown still clinging to her shoulders, her heart pounding as if it wanted to escape her chest. The accident had been brutal a collision that took both her parents instantly. The car, the fire, the smell of smoke. And then, there was nothing. Leah’s spoon clattered into the pot, pulling her back to the present. Her breath caught in her throat. She blinked hard, forcing the memory away. That same week, her uncle her late grandfather’s illegitimate son arrived at their home. He wore a smile that never reached his eyes. He spoke in legal terms she didn’t understand, waved documents she’d never seen, and within days, everything her parents owned their house, their business, their savings was gone. He told her she was young, that she should be grateful he was handling things. She had begged, pleaded, cried until her voice broke. But the man was unshaken. He left her and Maya with nothing but a small suitcase and a list of debts. That was two years ago. Now, Leah lived in a small apartment with her best friend Jenna, who had offered her space when she had nowhere else to go. Jenna worked long hours at a clothing store, doing her best to help, but even her kindness had limits. The oatmeal boiled over, and Leah sighed, quickly lifting the pot from the stove. She poured the mixture into two bowls and carried them to the small table near the bed. Maya smiled faintly as Leah placed hers down. “Thank you,” Maya whispered. “You don’t have to thank me,” Leah replied softly. “Just eat, okay?” They ate quietly. Leah watched her sister take slow, careful bites. Every movement seemed to drain her. When breakfast was done, Leah cleared the dishes and sat by the window again, staring out into the brightening street. Children ran past, their laughter echoing faintly. For a second, she almost smiled. She missed being one of them carefree, untouched by loss. “Leah?” Jenna’s voice came from the hallway. Leah turned as her friend walked in, hair tied in a messy bun, wearing her work apron. Jenna’s face lit up when she saw Leah, but her eyes dimmed slightly when they fell on Maya. “Hey,” Jenna said softly, setting a bag on the table. “I brought some bread on my way home yesterday. You can use it later.” “Thank you,” Leah said sincerely. “You’re up early again.” “I couldn’t sleep.” Jenna sighed. “You worry too much.” Leah smiled faintly. “I have to.” Jenna looked at her for a long moment, then said, “You know… there’s a recruitment drive starting this week. For that new military program they talked about. It’s for women only. They said the pay is good better than most jobs out there.” Leah turned to her, surprise flickering across her face. “Military?” “Yeah,” Jenna nodded. “It’s not the usual kind. It’s a special branch. They’re offering good benefits, and you don’t need much to qualify. Just basic fitness and training.” Leah looked away, her fingers tightening around the edge of her seat. She had never imagined herself as a soldier. The thought felt distant, almost absurd. But the bills were real. Maya’s condition was worsening, and the doctors had already warned that she needed another round of treatment soon treatment Leah couldn’t afford. That night, after Jenna had left for work and Maya was asleep, Leah sat by the window again, staring at the city lights flickering in the distance. Her mind replayed Jenna’s words over and over. Military program. Good pay. Stability. She rested her chin on her knees, tears threatening but never falling. The world outside seemed peaceful, almost mocking. “Mom… Dad…” she whispered into the darkness. “What would you have done?” The wind answered her with silence. Hours passed before she finally stood up and walked to the small mirror hanging beside the bed. She stared at her reflection the girl who had once dreamed of becoming a businessman Now, she barely recognized herself. Her eyes were tired, her frame slimmer than before, yet there was still a quiet fire burning within her. She smiled softly at her reflection not out of joy, but because it was all she had left.