MY SUNSHINE

The room buzzes with soldier banter—cutlery clinks, boots shuffle, jokes fly. Then the doors open. Silence. General Virender steps in, voice commanding: “Gentlemen, meet your new Captain.” She walks in. Captain Samridhi Chauhan. Woolen sweater. Calm eyes. Combat boots. “She’s too young.” “She looks like a civilian.” “Is this a joke?” Aditya nearly faints. Veer mutters, “Bhai, yeh toh cute nikli.” Aryan watches silently, calculating. Samrath doesn’t blink. Because he knows her. “I don’t need your approval. I’ll earn your respect in the field.” A beat of silence. Then Aditya blurts, “Ma’am… do you like coffee?” She smirks. “Only when it’s not brewed by someone who thinks he’s the hero of a Bollywood film.” Laughter erupts. Even Aryan smiles. Samrath? He just watches. Because the storm has arrived. And it’s wearing a sweater.