Chapter 7

Chapter 7

 

 

“Lieutenant Sofiah,” a soldier said as he slightly shook her body to wake her up.

 

“Hum?” she answered in a sleepy voice.

 

“Good morning, Lieutenant.”

 

She still had her eyes closed. “Morning. What do you want?” she said, half-asleep.

 

“You're commanded by Captain Matin to join the physical training. You have five minutes to prepare. I will be waiting for you at the parking lot.”

 

Then, the soldier left her before she could even digest the command.

 

She’s alone in the doctor's room as she’s on call.

“What the hell is that? Physical training?” she said, yawning.

 

Then, her phone suddenly rang.

 

“You have three minutes left, Lieutenant,” Matin said over the phone.

 

Her eyes widely opened after hearing his voice. She was shocked because Matin never called her before.

 

“You'll be punished if you're late.”

 

Before she could utter a word, he hung up.

 

As she checked the time, her eyes widened in shock.

 

“Is he crazy?! It's only 3 in the morning!!! And I just slept for one hour!”

 

She laid her head back on the table where she slept just now in frustration. But then, she remembered his threat.

 

“Oh no!!” She quickly changed her clothes and got in the car that had been waiting for her.

 

Once she arrived at the air base, she could see the other soldiers were lining up with Matin in front of them. He’s standing there with his hands resting on his waist. She ran towards them and lined up in the front row.

 

“You are late, Lieutenant,” Matin said while glaring at her.

 

She gave him an icy glare. “I'm sorry, Captain.”

 

“Since your Lieutenant was late, a little warm-up would be good.” He smirked. “Everyone! Ten push-ups! On the ground now! You too, Lieutenant!” he gave a command.

 

Irritated, she took a deep breath and started doing ten push-ups. They lined up back after the punishment and he started giving a command again.

 

“Today, all of you need to run for 100 laps around the air base. Any objections?!”

She quickly looked up at him with widened eyes.

 

100 laps???!! Is he crazy?!!

 

She was about to protest but then, “No, Captain!” the soldiers answered. She looked at them in disbelief and now she had no power to stop this.

 

He took a glance at her with a smirk. He felt very satisfied seeing her irritated expression.

 

They had been running for 50 laps and Sofiah couldn't take it anymore.

 

She suddenly stopped while trying to catch her breath.

 

“Are you alright, Lieutenant?” Sergeant Amir asked her with a concern expression.

 

“I can't…. continue,” she replied, still trying to catch her breath.

 

“Soldiers! You may continue running. I need to bring Lieutenant Sofiah back to the main base. Don’t dare to skip!” Sergeant Amir commanded.

 

Matin saw them head back and stared at the tiring face of Sofiah.

 

“Have you done? Where are the others?” he asked in confusion.

 

“The soldiers are still running. But Lieutenant Sofiah can’t continue,” Sergeant Amir replied.

 

“Oh really?” He raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

 

Matin walked closer and confronted her.

 

“Why, Lieutenant? Are you not fit enough for 100 laps?” he asked, mockingly.

 

How unthoughtful of him! He is not a bit bothered about my tiring condition! she said in her head.

 

“100 laps are too much for me, Sir,” she replied with a glare.

 

Both of them were having a staring contest. The situation suddenly became tense and no one dared to utter a word.

 

“Sergeant Amir!” Matin said, eyes not leaving Sofiah.

 

“Yes, Captain!”

 

“Continue running until 100 laps. Make sure that no one dares to skip! Do you copy that?!”

 

“Copy, Captain!”

 

“Now go!”

 

His eyes were still on her. She turned to walk away, but he blocked her.

 

“Lieutenant! I'm not done with you yet,” he said with a firm voice.

 

“What do you want, Captain?” she asked, sounded irritated.

 

He confronted her again and looked at her in the eyes.

 

“As a Lieutenant, you have shown a bad example towards the junior soldiers,” he said, coldly.

 

“I can't continue running and I need to tell the truth. If not, I might faint and trouble you,” she explained.

 

“If you can't run 100 laps, why are you in the military?!” he shouted at her.

 

His behaviour made her blood boil but she kept her composure.

 

“I think you’re having a memory loss. I'm a doctor and my training is different from you,” she replied with a glare.

 

He smirked.

 

“Is this revenge, Captain?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

 

“This is just training but you already gave up. You didn't meet my expectations. I thought a daughter of a Major General would be different from others. But you proved me wrong,” he said, sarcastically.

 

She gritted her teeth in anger. “Don't involve my father in this situation. I'm here on my own. I need to go back to the hospital. Excuse me, Captain.”

 

She walked away from him but then, stopped at his words.

 

“You really need to learn how to respect your Captain, Lieutenant,” he stated.

 

She turned to look at him. “Do you deserve it?” she asked, mockingly.

 

Without waiting for his response, she walked away from him.

 

“You wait and see,” he talked to himself, feeling irritated at her behaviour.

 

❤❤❤

 

Sofiah was commanded to attend the meeting as Matin's suspension had become breaking news in the military.

 

In front of her was Commander of Armed Force (main commander), Commander of Air Force (her father), other high-ranking officers from the military and military hospital.

 

“Lieutenant Sofiah,” Commander called her name, causing her to take a deep breath.

 

“Yes, Sir.”

 

“Do you know why you are here?” Commander asked with a cold gaze.

 

She gulped. “No, Sir.”

 

“His Majesty was not pleased when his son was put under suspension. Do you realise what you have done?!”

 

She took a deep breath before answering. “I have the right to put him under suspension based on his medical results. If His Majesty is not pleased with my decision, let me explain to His Majesty the reasons. I'm sure His Majesty won't let his precious son fly after learning about his son’s current condition,” she replied, all in one breath.

 

“Whatever the results are, you shouldn't suspend his license! You could just treat him until he's recovered!” Commander raised his voice at her.

 

Still keeping her composure, she answered, “It would be risky if I let him pass with his current condition.

 

It's a matter of life, Sir. I'm here to make sure the soldiers are fit for duty regardless of his ranking in the military.”

 

“He is His Majesty's son. He's different from others. I want you to take back your decision and let him pass!” Commander stated.

She lowly chuckled in disbelief. “Just because he's a prince then, I have to turn a blind eye and let him pass?” She raised her eyebrows in a teasing way. “I'm not like that, Sir. I treat everyone equally. I stand on my decision and I won't take it back.” She challenged him.

 

Everyone was taken aback at her braveness, especially her father.

 

“If you disobey, you will be severely punished. Aren't you scared?” Commander said, threatening her.

 

She gave a wry smile and replied, “I'm not scared of any punishments. I've done my best as a doctor.”

 

But, little did they know that His Majesty and Matin heard everything from the outside. Matin was filled with guilt as he thought she failed him on purpose just to piss him off.

 

“If you're not going to take back his suspension, then, I will also put you under suspension!” he growled, irritated by her response.

 

“His Majesty is here.”

A voice interrupted them and His Majesty walked into the meeting room. Matin didn’t follow his father as he walked back to his office.

 

Everyone stood up and bowed to His Majesty.

 

“I heard everything. How can you want to put a precious doctor under suspension without any valid reasons?” His Majesty raised his voice at Commander.

 

Commander was speechless.

 

“Lieutenant Sofiah, I understand why you put Matin under suspension. I have read his medical results and I agree with your decision. I hope you will continue to treat him until he's recovered,” His Majesty said, tenderly.

 

Relief brought a smile to her lips while nodding her head to His Majesty.

 

“She has done a very good job as a doctor. Matin should be treated equally like others without any special treatments. Now, this issue has been settled. I want everyone to get back to work,” His Majesty gave a command.

“And you too, Lieutenant. Thank you for your hard work," His Majesty thanked her.

 

“Thank you too, Your Majesty.” She bowed in respect.