Shadows Of The Stumps

Disaster?

The aroma of filter coffee, toasted bread, and Athiya’s now-iconic almond flour pancakes wafted through the house. It was past 9, but the breakfast table looked like a live-action sitcom — loud, affectionate, and ever so chaotic.

Rahul and Shubman, fresh from their morning training session, walked into the dining area, shirts clinging to them, hair still wet from the hurried post-shower cooldown.

“Is it breakfast or battlefield prep in here?” Shubman muttered dramatically before flopping down beside Meera, who sat at the head of the table, her leg stretched out on a stool with a soft cushion beneath the cast.

Meera didn’t even look at him as she felt the soft scratch of a marker on her cast.

“Are you drawing on me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” Meera deadpanned. “Or I would’ve kicked you.”

Shubman gave her a boyish grin. “Yeah, well, good luck trying now.”

Across the table, Colonel was deep in conversation with Arjun, the two speaking in hushed tones over some classified-looking file spread open. They were so engrossed, they barely noticed Hardik return from outside, drying his damp hair with a towel.

Athiya sat on Meera’s other side, Eva cradled in her lap, the baby gurgling with every exaggerated coo Meera tossed her way. It was a picture of soft warmth in the middle of mild morning madness.

Rahul walked over with a bowl in one hand, casually dropping a spoon in Meera’s lap.

“You’re going to the hospital today, Meeru,” he said, tone even but eyes concerned.
Meera's laughter faded just a little. Her fingers paused on Eva’s soft ones. “Right,” she said softly, gaze dropping.

Hardik walked in just then, catching the shift in her mood mid-step. “Meeru yaar, where’s your phone? Shrey’s been trying to text you. Says you haven’t responded.”

Athiya glanced at Arjun, already putting the dots together.

Arjun, caught mid-bite, chewed guiltily and raised a hand. “I have it. Ever since... the camp, I didn’t give it back.”

He stood quickly, left, and returned with Meera’s phone, placing it gently beside her plate.

Colonel adjusted his glasses, his voice calm but firm. “Beta, just so you know… for now, your access to official mails, channels, and surveillance grids has been paused. After the breach, higher-ups have pulled a full internal probe.”
Meera said nothing. Just nodded faintly, pressing her lips together. No protest, no outburst. Just that stoic soldier silence that said she was bracing for more than just physical healing.

Arjun, trying to lighten the tension, handed her the phone and quipped, “You know I’m better at surveillance than you.”

Meera narrowed her eyes instantly. “Bhai, I’m a better analyst than you on five hours of sleep and a sugar crash.”

Before he could respond, Arjun’s phone buzzed. He glanced down — and a smile, subtle but unmistakable, spread on his face.

Meera raised a brow. “Mithu?”

The room erupted.

Rahul nearly dropped a spoon. “Ohho, look at that smile.”

Athiya grinned. “You get that dreamy look like dad gets when he watches those old RD Burman interviews.”

Even the Colonel chuckled, shaking his head. “Beta, thoda toh control karo apne aap pe.”

Meera leaned in, elbowing Arjun’s side. “So, loverboy, you're accompanying me to the hospital?”