Give Me Some Sunshine

"Give me some sunshine

Give me some rain

Let's just go out and dance

Let's forget all the pain"

Varun was singing the song while strumming his guitar. His friends had gathered around him in the college canteen. Just as he said the last two lines... someone from the next table sang in an even louder voice, cutting his singing midway. 

It's

"Give me another chance

I wanna grow up once again"

A very sweet female voice sang the correct lyrics. All Varun's friends turned to look at the owner of that melodious voice. Varun's eyes quickly scanned the group sitting at that table, and his eyes froze as he saw the most intriguing face he had ever seen. She was wearing a beautiful sunshine yellow dress, with thin, narrow violet straps tied at the back of her neck, halter style. It had a cute white bow on the left side just where the violet straps were attached to the dress. She was looking straight at Varun, defiantly as if challenging him to get into an argument with her. Varun's friend, Mahek nudged him and his reverie was broken. He waved at the Sunshine girl (he had christened her in his head, the minute he saw her glowing face) and smiled a warm broad smile. Half the girls in college had a huge crush on Varun owing to that smile. However, it seemed to have almost no effect on the girl. She just shrugged, as her friend whispered something in her ear. She looked at Varun, her eyes growing a little wider. She looked at her friend and looked back at Varun. Varun guessed that she was asking if her friend was telling the truth. The friend just nodded yes. Sunshine girl shrugged again, looked down and turned her focus on the sandwich before her. Varun asked Mahek if she knew the girl, to which her answer was negative. 

Varun saw the sunshine girl a few times in the college canteen. But she never acknowledged him anytime after that day. He used to steal glances at her every time. He now knew her name was Surilee and it indeed matched her melodious voice. He had also found out that she was a year junior to him and had just shifted from some Northern state. It was her first year in their college. Surilee had been told by her friends that Varun was the best singer and he often turned sad songs into happy ones by writing up his own lyrics. Surilee had thought it was stupid and she had simply ignored him. 

It was time for the annual day soon. As usual, Varun was the lead male singer in the orchestra. But the female lead had passed out that year and the spot was empty. Varun suggested Surilee's name to the professor in charge of the Annual Day. Surilee was reluctant at first, but the professor built her confidence and she finally agreed. One day, as they were practising, Varun started singing. It was a sad song, and Varun changed the lyrics to something happy. Surilee, by now, had become friendly with the orchestra members. She chided Varun and started giggling, calling him silly for changing the lyrics. Varun did not react. He just looked down at his guitar and started fidgeting with the keys. The drummer and Varun's best friend, Ridaan, just looked at Surilee and motioned to her to stop. Surilee was puzzled. She had never seen Varun like that. Varun left early that day, saying he had some errands to run. After Varun left, Surilee asked Ridaan why he had stopped her from teasing Varun. Ridaan then told Varun's story. Varun had lost his mother at an early age. His father was a successful Rick businessman, and after his mother's death, many young women had come forward to marry him. But he had denied them all, he wanted to focus on Varun. But a few days later, Varun's dad had met a very beautiful and stylish woman at a conference abroad. He had married her and brought her home. But as fate would have it, she had martied Varun's dad only for his money. She was not interested in taking care of Varun. In fact, she wanted Varun to be sent far away. Varun had had a very difficult childhood. When Varun took admitted to the college, he was very sad and lonely. He used to sing melancholy songs all the time. Then, he made a few friends and decided to put his sad days behind him. He had decided he would only play happy tunes. He started changing the lyrics of sad songs to happy ones. He had told Ridaan once, "I want to put all sad memories behind me now. I think singing happy songs will bring happiness into my life. Don't I deserve a little happiness now?" It made sense to Ridaan and all their friends made it a mission to help Varun stay happy. When Surilee heard Varun's story, she felt very bad for what she had done. She made up her mind to make it up to Varun the next day. 

The next morning when Varun reached college, Surilee was waiting for him, wearing the same sunshine yellow dress she had worn that first day. She was carrying a huge bouquet of yellow carnations. As soon as she saw Varun, she ran to him, handed him the bouquet and started singing

"Give me some sunshine

Give me some rain

I want to be your valentine

Take away all your pain"

Varun couldn't believe his eyes. For the first time in ages today, Varun was really really happy! 

He looked at Surilee, his eyes piercing hers and said "All these years, I only knew what an overcast sky looked like. I am looking at Sunshine for the first time today... And it's the happiest view I have ever seen. Thank you my Sunshine!" Surilee then held his hand as they walked to the music room.