It was finally the day of departure to Manali, and Shubman had meticulously packed everything he needed for the trip. Just as he was about to leave, Rimma appeared, her face a mixture of excitement and concern. "Shub, make sure you call me when you reach," she said, her voice soft but insistent.

Shubman nodded, feeling a rush of affection for Rimma's concern. He picked up his luggage, taking a moment to embrace her warmly. As they hugged, he felt the warmth of her care and support, which gave him an extra boost of confidence. He then glanced at himself in the mirror, taking in his travel outfit.

He was dressed in a light beige ribbed crew-neck sweater with a relaxed fit and slightly dropped shoulder seams, giving him a casual yet stylish appearance. His trousers were a rich brown hue, with a loose, straight-leg cut that tapered slightly toward the ankle, accented with front pleats for a more structured look. On his feet were high-top Nike sneakers, made of suede in tan and off-white colors, with mustard yellow accents, including the iconic side swoosh logo. These were paired with white crew socks that had two stripes near the top, adding an athletic flair to his ensemble.

Satisfied with his look, Shubman turned to Rimma once more, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of emotions, before he headed towards the car waiting for him. Inside the car were his friends Abhishek, Kamlesh, Ashnoor, and Tunisha. He slid into the seat next to Abhishek, a smile breaking through his earlier solemnity. "Come on, let's go," he said, his voice tinged with excitement.

The ride to the airport was filled with laughter and chatter, making the journey feel short. However, as soon as they arrived, a swarm of reporters descended upon Shubman. Cameras flashed and questions were hurled at him, creating a chaotic scene. One reporter's voice rose above the others, asking, "What do you say about the controversy involving Kiara Advani Malhotra and Sidharth Malhotra? Is she dating Kartik Aryan?"

Shubman was taken aback. He hadn't heard anything about this controversy. Although he noticed that Sidharth and Kiara had seemed tense yesterday, he hadn't thought much of it. He decided to ignore the questions, keeping his focus on the trip ahead. As he pushed through the throng of reporters, he finally saw the familiar faces of his friends, and the Five Dynamics gang, sitting and waiting.

After checking in, Shubman and his group, dubbed The Fusion Five, found a spot away from the crowd to relax. Meanwhile, Avneet complimented Sara, "Sara, you look so pretty today." Sara beamed, her outfit reflecting her confident style. She wore a black short-sleeved top that contrasted sleekly with her high-waisted, wide-legged beige trousers, giving her a contemporary edge. Her black lace-up boots rose just above the ankle, adding an urban flair. She accessorized with a gold watch and bracelet on her left wrist, introducing a hint of luxury. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup, enhancing her natural beauty.

The professor made a headcount to ensure everyone was present before they boarded the flight. Shubman, still unsettled by the press encounter, tried calling Sidharth but got no response. Frustration gnawed at him as the reporters' questions lingered in his mind.

Noticing his unease, Tunisha leaned over and asked, "Shub, what's wrong? You seem very quiet."

Shubman shook his head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Nisha. Just thinking about something," he replied, trying to brush off his worries.

Abhishek, sensing the need to lift the mood, took a selfie with Shubman and posted it on Instagram, hoping to capture a moment of their adventure.

Off to Manali with college. Special trip with my best friend @shubmanmalhotra

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Shubman then put on his headphones, hoping to find solace in the music. As the melodies flowed into his ears, he turned to the window, losing himself in the view of the sky. The clouds floated serenely, their shapes shifting and changing, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his mind. The gentle hum of the airplane combined with the music created a calming rhythm, and he began to feel a sense of peace wash over him.

He let his thoughts drift with the clouds, trying to focus on the excitement of the trip ahead rather than the troubling questions posed by the reporters. The sky outside was a canvas of blues and whites, with the occasional streak of golden sunlight breaking through, offering a sense of hope and renewal.

As he continued to stare out the window, memories of past adventures with his friends flashed in his mind, reminding him of the bonds they shared and the fun they always had together. This brought a small, genuine smile to his face, dispelling the shadows of his earlier worries.

Next to him, Tunisha noticed the change in his demeanor. "Feeling better?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.

Shubman turned to her, lifting one side of his headphones. "Yeah, a bit. Thanks, Nisha," he replied, his voice more relaxed now.

Abhishek leaned over, grinning. "Remember, this trip is all about fun. Leave the drama back home!" he said, giving Shubman a friendly nudge.

Shubman chuckled, nodding in agreement. "You're right. Let's make the most of it."

With that, he settled back into his seat, adjusting his headphones and letting the music carry him away once more. The journey ahead seemed brighter now, filled with the promise of new experiences and the comfort of good friends by his side.

Soon, they reached the picturesque town of Manali, with its snow-capped mountains and crisp, refreshing air. As they disembarked from the bus, the professor addressed the students, "Everyone, today we will just rest in the hotel. Tomorrow, we will go out and explore."

The students nodded in agreement, excitement mixed with a bit of fatigue from the journey. Shubman, Abhishek, and Kamlesh were assigned to share a spacious room together. They hauled their luggage inside, admiring the room's cozy decor and scenic view.

Once settled, Shubman decided to call Sidharth. The phone rang a few times before Sidharth picked up. "Hey Shub, did you reach?" he asked.

"Yes, bhaiyya, I reached safely. What's this controversy with Ki bhabhi?" Shubman asked, concern evident in his voice.

Sidharth sighed on the other end. "It's just a small problem, Shub. Don't worry, we will solve it."

"But at least tell me how it happened," Shubman insisted, seeking some clarity.

"Shub, you've gone on a trip with your friends. Enjoy it and don't try to interfere in this," Sidharth responded, his tone uncharacteristically stern.

Shubman was shocked. Sidharth had never spoken to him so curtly. Feeling a mix of hurt and frustration, Shubman disconnected the call abruptly. He went to the washroom to change into more comfortable clothes, trying to shake off the unsettling conversation. Abhishek noticed the tension when Shubman threw his phone on the bed.

Curious and concerned, Abhishek picked up Shubman's phone and saw that he had been talking to Sidharth. He frowned, wondering what had transpired between them. When Shubman emerged from the washroom, drying his hair and now dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, Kamlesh entered from the balcony, rubbing his arms.

"Abhi, mausam bohot thand hai," Kamlesh remarked, shivering slightly.

Abhishek chuckled, "Kyu, tujhe garmi mausam chaiyye kya?"

Their banter was interrupted as Ashnoor and Tunisha entered the room, filling it with lively chatter. However, Tunisha quickly noticed Shubman seemed distant and lost in thought. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Shub? Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Shubman nodded, attempting to reassure her. "Y-yeah, I am fine."

Ashnoor wasn't convinced. "You don't seem so. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, Ash, I am fine," Shubman replied, though his voice lacked conviction.

Everyone exchanged concerned looks, sensing something was off. Trying to escape the scrutiny, Shubman stood up abruptly. "I'll go to the cafeteria and have some coffee," he announced.

His friends nodded, letting him go. Shubman made his way to the cafeteria, grateful for the solitude. He ordered a coffee and sat down, staring into his cup as if it held the answers to his worries. Nearby, Sara and her gang noticed him sitting alone. Shivaay nudged Sara, "Sara, come on. Let's trouble him."

But Sara shook her head, observing Shubman's troubled expression. "No, Shiv, he seems disturbed. Let's leave him alone."

Shivaay and the others nodded, moving away, but Sara lingered. She approached Shubman cautiously. "Hey Malhotra, are you okay?" she asked gently.

Shubman frowned, not expecting the concern. "What is your problem, Sara?" he snapped, his frustration spilling over.

Sara remained calm. "I just asked if you are okay. I heard about the controversy, so I thought of asking how you are dealing with it."

Shubman sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the situation. "I don't even know what the controversy is. Sid bhai isn't telling me anything."

Sara gave him a sympathetic look. "It's for your good. Anyway, I've got to go. Don't think that I'm your friend. But being a celebrity's daughter and sister, I can understand what you are going through."

Shubman rolled his eyes as Sara walked away, but he couldn't dismiss the truth in her words. Determined to get some answers, he decided he would message Kiara later that night. He knew she would tell him what was going on because they had never kept secrets from each other.