We were getting ready for the temple I wore the white and yellow embroidery kurta with yellow plain cigarette pants, doing my hair in a braid I put on an overcoat just in case it's freezing out there "come on Vir lets go" I yelled, he was still in the bathroom God knows why he takes up so much time to get ready.

He comes out after five minutes"chalein?" I ask, he nods picking up his wallet and his jacket.

We went to the lobby where our driver was waiting first we were going to the temple then for breakfast after that Solang Valley later we will decide where to go it's a ten-day trip so I don't want to finish everything in just one day.

I was always fascinated by history and that is the reason I want to go to Hadimba Temple, I have dug some facts I don't know if it's true or not but it was built in 1553, the temple was supposed to be a cave more like a living place for Hidimbi and her brother, people here in Manali worship her as a deity, during the time of Navaratri.

Even during school time, it was History that had me fascinated by all the facts it just seems so interesting to me.

We reached the temple it is built around the cave here only Hidimba Devi gave birth to her son.

We attended the ritual arti of the temple strolled around a bit it was so beautiful, later we left for breakfast in a nearby small cafe "what you have planned for Solang Valley?" Vir asks.
"I was thinking paragliding, parachuting, or let's see if zorbing can happen at this time" I replied excitedly.

I love such activities, and I have always wanted to do with the person I love because it all just makes everything more special.

We left for Solang Valley it was cold outside I shuddered and pulled my jacket closer making me warm as the cold breeze touches my skin"you have turned into a tomato Noor" Vir whispers leaning in.
I looked in the mirror of the car and my nose was red, even my cheeks had a natural pink blush.

We started to stroll around and got on with all the activities, I wanted to try everything thankfully paragliding, parachuting was happening especially my favorite zorbing, Manvir clicked hundreds of pictures he just loves that.

After we were done with all the activities the driver dropped us at the hotel, both of us were tired "Vir let's order the food in" I whined taking out my boots, lying down on the bed.
"You take shower and I'll arrange something for us to eat," he says removing his jacket and shoes.
"Okay" I replied kissing his cheek, he pulls me towards him.

"Noor, don't do this to me," he says huskily.
"What do you mean?" I ask playing coy.
His grip tightens around my waist, my hands on his chest "go and order something for us, I'm starving" I said pushing him away and running to the bathroom.

I took a long warm shower, as the water made contact with my skin everything felt melting around me my nerves soothing I let out a sigh of relief, applying shampoo to my hair I washed all the dirt. I wrapped a bathrobe around my body and went out into the room Manvir was sitting on the bed with a frown played across his forehead.

"What happened?" I ask letting my hair get air dry.
"No one is accepting any orders and our hotel's restaurant isn't open at the moment, I guess I have to go out and get some food," he says keeping his phone aside.
"Okay, take a shower first then go," I said messing with his hair.

Meanwhile, Manvir took a shower I got dressed in a peach shade suit did some texting to my friend Kavya who is been dying to get the details since morning. Kavya and I have been friends when were in school, some kids used to bully me and it was Kavya who stood up to them for me we are together since then.

She is someone with whom I can share anything and don't have to think twice, she was the one I first told about having feelings for Manvir.

Manvir came out of the bathroom looking handsome as always I got up moved towards him, "what?" He asks smiling.
"Nothing just being appreciative towards my handsome husband," I said, raking my hands around his waist.
He kisses on the bridge of my nose then at my forehead "I love you, Noor" he whispers.

My heart gets erratic" I love you too Vir" this is the first time we have said these words but it's perfect, everything feels perfect.

"Now, please go and get some food before it's too late," I continued.
He just chuckles giving me a quick peck on the lips he put on his jacket and left.
"I'm going to that restaurant where we had our breakfast, the food was good," he says, picking up his phone and wallet I replied with okay and he left.

Whilst I made a tea for myself, thanks to the hotel they have coffee and tea maker both in the room in such weather tea is the best, the sun has descended the sky was filling with the darkness no stars twinkling a warm cup of tea clasped in my hand I wrapped my shawl around myself it was getting colder I shuddered. As I looked at the sky my heart started to sink with a weird feeling, I shrugged off the thought and went back inside closing the door of the balcony.

My phone starts to ring after a while "Noor, do you want to have ice cream?" It was Manvir, he knows my love for ice cream and always surprises me with it.
"Is that even a question?" I said keeping the cup of tea aside.

"Also Vir, drive safely it has started to rain," I said fidgeting with my mangalsutra.
"Yeah I will be, don't worry," he says, I can sense him smiling.

"Okay, and anything else you want?" He asks.

Before I could answer him, I suddenly heard a loud bang more like something crashed "Manvir?"

"Vir, are you there?" I ask again but no response.

"Vir, are you there please say something," I ask again but nothing.

Everything was silent on the other side, without giving it a thought I grabbed my jacket and headed out, please Wahe Guru please do not make my thoughts true, but my mind was jumping suddenly only on the worst. On the way there, I should call for an ambulance Manvir must be fine but what if the driver isn't just then I saw our driver in the lobby "aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?" I ask him.

"Vo Manvir Ji bahar gaye hai car leke, Maine bola tha mai leke chalta hu par unhone mana kar dia" he explains, no, no this can't be happening.

Yes, Vir is totally fine I'm just exaggerating I just heard a crash doesn't mean someone crashed in the car or Vir crashed in something he is a very responsible driver, I scoffed at the thought of him getting hurt nothing has happened to him I shouldn't be thinking like this until I see him. I dialed his number again but it was not reachable I tried again.

♡♡♡

I reached the scene Manvir's car was upside down on the road people were standing and talking but no-one was helping him thankfully the ambulance was here, I noticed the other car which was across the road his car was damaged badly but not much as Manvir's the doctor on site did a check up on him whilst Manvir was put in the ambulance he looked at me for a second he had so many bruises on his faces and I can't tell about his body.

I moved towards him, I wanted to hold his hand and tell him that everything will be alright but he closed his eyes falling in the darkness I hopped in the back of the ambulance held Vir's hand giving a kiss on his knuckles whispering praying for his betterment I cannot even imagine my life without him.

We reached the hospital, Manvir was quickly taken to the operation theater while they were there I cannot even explain the thoughts I was having as each moment was passing everything seemed to be slowed down around me I still have to inform Ma and Baba. I took out my phone with my trembling hands fear was taking over me how will I explain to them everything I'm scared to even call them.

Just when I was about to hit the Ma's number doctor came out of the OT "how is he doctor?" I ask getting up from the floor.

"We can't say anything for sure he doesn't have many chances of survival but we are trying our best," he continues throwing in some more big words which I didn't understand my mind was gone to some other place. I just nodded quietly and he left.

I focused on the phone I was holding in my hand and just stared blankly at Ma's number I wanted to call her and tell them everything.

I finally mustered up the courage and dialed the number she picks up on the third ring she was constantly saying hello but nothing was coming out of my mouth words had died on down on my tongue "Noor, bache what is it?" She asks again.

"Ma, it's Vir" that's all came out and the phone dropped down as tears start to flow down my cheeks profusely. I have never felt so helpless in my life I didn't even know that something can hurt you so much when I saw Manvir there on the road I felt this burn inside me it felt like someone just has stepped on my heart and broke it into thousand pieces and as if that wasn't enough they pricked the broken pieces with pins.

I wanted to scream and let it all out but my tears were not on my side today they were just falling silently now, after a moment my phone starts to ring again it was Ma.

I picked it up bringing it to my ear "Noor, what is going on?" It was Baba.
"Baba, it's Vir he is been in an accident and I don't know what to do," my voice breaks down with each word.
"Noor bache don't worry your Ma and I are leaving immediately, please be strong" these mere words of Baba gave me some strength.

He is right I have to be strong at least for them and Vir, he needs me more than he ever has but the fact that anything can happen to him is killing me eating me alive, the thought of Vir not coming out alive of that room is settling on my flesh and bones as my worst fear.

At this moment I have realized how much I love Manvir, and loving him is like walking around in the warm sun filling every sense of your body after the heavy pouring and a dark night, he feels safe and heaven, he feels like home to me.

Everything felt silent around me letting all of it wash over me just going through the memories we have spent in these past months, I might lose myself if Manvir leaves me. The ache in my chest is getting worse I can barely breathe the thought of losing him is shattering me from inside.

After long hours passed by me sitting in the same position doctor finally walks out of the OT, he had this blank look on his face I couldn't help but wonder what news he brings to me.

Is it bad? Is it good?

"Mrs. Bhalla your husband is fine, it is a miracle that we were able to save him with the percentage of chance of his survival we anticipated" he gives me a small smile. I suddenly felt this rush of relief in my body, by the look on his face I can sense that there was a but coming in, so I let him continue.

"But, there is a lot of work needed with he is going to need you, Mrs. Bhalla, more than he ever has you have to be strong for your husband" he adds.
"Thank you, Doctor" I replied and he left.

I dialed Baba's number informing him everything they were relived a bit they are on their way here after that if possible, we may take Vir back to Delhi.

They say time heals everything I hope it's true because after an accident like this people change in a manner we cannot even think of I'm sure of one thing that we don't know what he will be after he comes back to us.

Will he be our Manvir? Or someone else?

••••

After ages, I was finally able to write I was distracted for a while and it was like I have forgotten how to write but finally something clicked inside me and I jot down this chapter in a day.

Do share your thoughts on this chapter, because I don't know if I did the justice about bringing out Noor's emotions so please it would be amazing if you guys share your thoughts.

Anyways, hoping I will be dropping back again with the next chapter soon.

Also, this is the last story of this short story collection I might write another separate one in the future haven't decided on that yet.

Till next time

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