Sarah was a sweet and delicate girl, with a strong love and passion for joining the Pakistan Army. Her father and brother were both army officers, so it was only natural for her to be inspired by them and have a strong motivation to follow in their footsteps.

Even though her brother and father had warned her that the training wouldn’t be a walk in the park, involving hard work and potential injuries, she always smiled and assured them that she would handle it. Both her father and brother knew she would endure it all. However, they were also mindful of the fact that their beloved Sarah, despite her toughness, had an immense fear of heights. They were concerned that her fear might become an obstacle, as there would be numerous instances during cadet training involving heights.

A few days after taking her ISSB test for selection in the army, Sarah received the results. With trembling hands, she managed to open the letter, which would determine her future career. Suddenly, she let out a joyous scream and, filled with enthusiasm, hugged her parents. Sarah had been selected for the Pakistani Army, everyone was immensely proud of her.

On the appointed day, Sarah’s family accompanied her to the Pakistan Military Academy, where she would undergo a year of training. Sarah clung tightly to her mother, then embraced her father and brother before finally departing. She looked back at their family one more time and bid them farewell.

Hassan, her brother, noticed his mother’s sad and teary eyes, so he put his arm around her and with a smile, consoled her, “Don’t worry ammi. Be proud. When Sarah passes out from PMA wearing a soldier’s uniform, you will have tears of pride in your eyes.” Hassan’s mother nodded, wiped her tears and she too smiled.

At the start of the training months, Sarah did an amazing job. She topped her academics with flying colours, and showed great activeness in her physical training as well, which included running, bar hanging and assault course. Despite facing some minor injuries now and then, Sarah continued to struggle and work hard with the determination to pursue her career in the army, and also to fulfil her dream of serving her beloved country, Pakistan.

Days passed and the first term of training was completed. When the cadets returned after their one-month break, they were introduced to the more advanced training, which was the adventure course (paragliding in the air), for which some cadets were chosen and Sarah was among them. Her eyes opened wide, she loved adventures but not those that involved heights, because she had acrophobia — the fear of heights.

Therefore, Sarah went to her trainer and told her about the fact that she had acrophobia, that she would start vomiting on great heights such as on a mountain, and that is why she could not do the adventure course. However, the trainer firmly stated that it was the staff’s job to decide who would and who would not do it. Sarah was disappointment.

The next day, after warm-up, the selected cadets along with their trainers gathered on top of a hill. Once the cadets were properly clothed and fully prepared for the paragliding, they stood in straight rows in a disciplined manner, waiting for their turn to take off. It was Sarah’s turn to take off first.

Sarah trembled, she closed her eyes and took some deep breaths. She then started to run. As she took off from the mountain cliff, she felt her feet leave the surface. She almost fainted with the thought that her feet were not on the ground, but just then she remembered her family’s smiling faces, she remembered how proud they were and how proud they would be on her accomplishments.

With a renewed determination, she slowly opened her eyes and caught a bird’s eye view of the beautiful landscape underneath her; the majestic green mountains and the open grasslands ….

Sarah marvelled at the scenic beauty, she completely forgot about her fear of heights. She soon landed safely in the open, wide ground where other cadets were waiting for her. She lay down on the grass, gazed at the turquoise blue sky and thanked God that she had finally overcome her fear!

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 25TH, 2023