The army girls freedom.

Training week.

Today was Monday the beginning of my training week, The week were I could get picked for the mission. I couldn't wait to know what the training sessions would be like. The 3 of us got ready for the though day ahead. We got in our Green army clothes and scarfs and went outside and waited there with everyone else. I came early I wanted to show Sir Ali that I was capable of coming on time. We all waited for a while until Sir Ali and the officers arrived they always came together and on time.

The officers saluted us and we saluted back in unison.

"Good morning everyone. As you all know that this is your training week and that for those of you who volunteered for the mission will be assessed on whether they are suitable for this mission. If you look behind you at the training obstacle you will see how hard and long it is."

Everyone turned around looking at the obstacle with mud, nets, pools , monkey bars and all sorts. Well that looked though.

"That is the obstacle for today. Your challenge is to try to complete that in 20 minutes it might sound easy but it is very though . You will get tired very quickly but the test is about resilience and grit. We will judge who can keep going and show us there talent. It is not easy but we believe that you all can do it if you try. Most Army training centres have a separate obstacle for boys and girls and judge differently but we believe that girls are as good as men so this is a boy and girl obstacle. It is a race to see which Girl or boy has the skills to complete this. The first 4 would the best army students. So all of you walk to the obstacle"

He said pointing at the long, Hard and difficult obstacle ahead of us. We walked there and stood in a straight line on front of the obstacle. I looked at Hafsah who made a face which said "I'm dead" . I looked at Aisha who was starring at the obstacle like it was a prize.

"So this is a challenge which you can all over come. All of you need to stand behind the white line. " Everyone stood on the white line and looked ahead of them . This was going to be a though competition . Sir Ali looked at his stopwatch and counted us down.

" 3... 2..... 1 GO!" He said as everyone ran off.

First was the mud it was about 8 meters long and u had to wriggle through it laying down. I used my elbows through the sticky mud. Every movement took a minute. I struggled I was mostly ahead of everyone but there was Aisha and 2 boys as the same level as me. We completed the mud obstacle and started to climb a 16 foot net . My arms were already tired but I kept going trying to ignore the pain. The net seemed ten times easier then the mud obstacle. I finished the net not taking the risk to look behind me. This time there was a long rope that you had to some how go past. I grabed hold of the rope with my hands and used all the energy inside me to move

My hands were in so much pain that I couldn't even feel them. Everyone was catching up I moved faster rubbing my hands against the rope. I finished the rope and jumped on the monkey bars . Why were all these arm exercises. I felt like my arms would fall off any second. I quickly completed the monkey bars and ran over the hurdles . I jumped over about 50 hurdles and started to slow down a little Aisha and another boy were at the same pace at me. I started to go faster. Ahead of me was a underground hole. I went inside the dark and tight hole. I always had a phobia of dark and tight spaces. I quickly wiggled myself out of the hole and carried on moving. This time there were a bunch of bags full of sand which you had to carry and drop at the next obstacle. I struggled to pick the heavy bag. It was probably the heaviest thing I've ever picked up. It was heavier then me . I put it over my back and took a few steps . A boy was step ahead of me. Come on Anaya you need to up your game. I started to go faster. After about 2 minutes I reached the next obstacle which was a net this time bigger and longer. I started to slow down a lot . 3 boys and Aisha got ahead of me. I was know with everyone else. I climbed as fast as I could gaining the 3rd position this was the last one. I was probably about 2 meters away from finishing until I heard Hafsah.

" Ahhhh my feet It's stuck. I can't take it out. Ahhh can someone please help me. It really hurts" I looked behind me to see Hafsah holding her stuck leg in pain. I had to help her . She was my friend. I went back down and took Hafsah s' foot out. I held her hand and helped her up. This was really though and Hafsah was really brave to go through it. People went past us in a hurry. Hafsah was still in pain. I helped her up till we finished . We were the last few people.

I was really disappointed . I wanted to win more then anything. I didn't know weather I would be allowed at the mission now. Hafsah hugged me and I hugged her back.

"Thanks Anaya. Thank you so much. And I'm soooo sorry just because of me you couldn't come first, Please forgive me" Hafsah said looking sorry.

"It's ok Hafsah. I couldn't leave you. You would have done the same" I said smiling.

We all stood in silence for a bit until I heard slow clapping. I looked behind me. It was Sir Ali. why was he clapping? He came closer still clapping.

"Wow. Wow Anaya. You've just proved that you are a true army student. I have worked as an officer for many years and I have seen many people get stuck in the obstacles but I have never seen anyone help. You did that . You are a magical thing Anaya . You should be very proud off yourself. And what are you all looking at. Clap then." Sir Ali said looking at me. I felt so special . I looked around me as everyone started to clap. My eyes full of hope and with a glint of pride.

"Well done Anaya you have shown me your real colours . I looked at How hard you worked , How you kept going, How you were a meter close to winning and how you went back to help. All of you This is what the Army is about . About teamwork . Not about being competitive . Once again well done Anaya. And well done to the rest of you too for completing such a though challenge with no training. It was hard and you all completed it less then 40 minutes. So first came Aisha and Daniyal with 20 minutes and 33 seconds then came Junaid with 21 minutes then came Omar with 22minutes and 58 seconds and finally then came Samaya with 24 minutes a big well done to all of you. But if Anaya didn't stop to help Hafsah she would have come first with 20 minutes and 4 seconds. " Sir Ali said reading from his clipboard.

" I was planning to do more training but you lot look wrecked so You can have rest of the day free. Just because it is your first time doing such a though task . But remember I'm not always going to be like this Just today. ok. Is that clear" Sir Ali said. He could be nice if he wanted.

"Yes sir!" We all said with a salute . After he had gone everyone started jumping up and down out of happiness. Aisha came to me looking like she might pass out.

"Yaar ! I'm already dead I can't imagine how the other training days will be like. Oh and Anaya you were like a hero going back to save Hafsah. " Aisha said putting her arms over my shoulders.

"You'll live Aisha and don't worry. Well done in coming first and I know I'm a hero. But I think the 3 of us need some rest now." I said walking off with Hafsah and Aisha. When we arrived at our room we all fell on our beds and went to sleep with our muddy and dirty clothes still on.