"Beyond The Boundary "

SKYFALL AND FREEFALL

The Himalayan sun blazed cold and high, casting long shadows over the Drass Airstrip. The base buzzed with anticipation. Today wasn't just about drills or duty. It was about payback - delivered at 30,000 feet and from 15,000 feet above ground.

The Sukhoi Surprise

Abhishek stood frozen on the tarmac, staring at the colossal beast before him - the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Twin engines growled softly as the flight crew prepped it. Aashna, dressed in her pristine G-suit, walked toward him with an unsettling smile.

"Get in, civilian," she said, gesturing to the cockpit.

"Wait, you're flying?" he blinked.

She smirked. "Did you think it was for a joyride?"

Moments later, Abhishek was strapped in the rear seat, headset on, heart thundering like the engine.

The aircraft roared down the runway and lifted. The G-forces hit hard, pushing him back into his seat.

"This is your captain speaking," Aashna's voice came through the comms. "Fasten your guilt. We're taking a ride through consequences."

She flipped the aircraft into a loop.

Abhishek screamed.

She barrel-rolled.

He cursed every god he could remember.

As they twisted and dove, she laughed through the comms. "Still think you can control a storm like me, Sharma?"

By the time they landed, his skin was pale, his legs wobbly, and his ego shattered. He stumbled out of the Sukhoi, and promptly dropped to his knees.

Aashna took off her helmet, hair a mess but face glowing with thrill. She crouched next to him.

"That, Abhishek, is what flying with me feels like. Reckless. Relentless. Real."

---

The Para Jump with a Splash

Meanwhile, at the base's airborne training zone, Shubman stood in jumpsuit and helmet, strapped awkwardly with a parachute, staring at the metal ramp of the transport aircraft.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, trying to sound brave.

Rihi adjusted her own gear beside him, nonchalant. "You're not backing out, are you? The Rihi you knew wouldn't like cowards."

The plane reached altitude. The ramp opened.

Wind roared.

"On my count," the instructor shouted. "THREE! TWO! ONE!"

Rihi winked. "Try to keep up, lover boy."

She jumped.

Shubman panicked. And jumped half a second too late.

The air tore at them as they plummeted. Rihi maneuvered like a pro, cutting through the wind like a blade. Shubman? He spun like laundry in a washing machine.

He pulled the chute. Too late.

SPLASH!

He landed straight into the ice-cold lake beneath the landing zone.

Rihi touched down perfectly on the bank, removing her helmet and looking down at him with a grin.

"Guess you're not that good at falling for me anymore."

Shubman sputtered from the water, soaked and gasping. "I think I broke my soul."

---

Meanwhile... in Heaven