One evening, as Ayla was watering the plants outside her home, her phone rang. It was an unknown number.
"Miss Ayla Khan?"
"Yes?"
"This is Captain Zayan Malik's commanding officer. He has been injured in action. He is stable, but…"
The rest of the words faded into a blur. Injured. Stable. Alive.
Without a second thought, she booked a flight to the military hospital where he was being treated.
When she finally saw him—lying in the hospital bed, bruised but breathing—she broke down.
"You stubborn idiot," she sobbed. "You promised to come back."
Zayan opened his eyes, weak but smiling. "I didn't promise. I only said I'd try."
She laughed through her tears and held his hand. "Then try harder next time."