After a day filled with emotional outbursts, there's nothing quite like the comfort of being held by the one you love. That's exactly what Pashmina was doing—slow dancing in Shubman's arms. He had suggested it as a form of quiet therapy, and now they swayed gently, letting the rustling winds provide the only music they needed.

She glanced through the glass door of their hotel balcony and saw him standing there, his eyes closed, his cheek gently resting on the top of her head as he held her close. The sight was serene, almost as if he was finding peace in the quiet moment, cradling her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.

"Shubman..." she called out softly, her voice barely above a whisper. He opened his eyes slowly, his cheek still resting on her head as he hummed in response, "Hmm?"

She gulped, summoning the courage she needed. Drawing on the confidence she usually carried in her professional life, she pulled back slightly, though her hands still rested on his arms. Meeting his eyes, she said softly, "I wanted to ask you something."

Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of uncertainty behind her gaze.

Shubman raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in his expression. Gently, he pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering for a moment. "What is it?" he asked, his voice encouraging, inviting her to share whatever was on her mind.

Pashmina moved a little closer, her heart racing as she spoke. She tilted her head back slightly to gauge his expression, wanting to make sure he was open to the conversation. "Ever since we met, everything has mostly been about me and my life, but..." She paused, pursing her lips, gathering her thoughts. "But today, I want to ask— is there something about your past?"

Her eyes searched his for any sign of discomfort or reluctance, hoping he would feel safe enough to share.

Shubman took a deep breath, his gaze drifting away as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. A lone tear slipped from his eye, but he quickly wiped it away, making sure Pashmina didn't see. "No, nothing," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. The words felt heavy, and he hoped they would satisfy her curiosity while hiding the turmoil brewing within him.

She squeezed his biceps gently, offering him comfort. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay. But I know when I closed the book, your heart was closing something too. I saw it in your eyes." Pashmina paused, searching for the right words. "It's just that if we're moving forward in our love, I want us to understand each other's pasts so everything can be transparent. But if you don't feel ready to share, that's completely fine. I know you love me, and that's enough."

Shubman finally felt the vulnerability wash over him, the dam he had built around his emotions cracking under the weight of Pashmina's understanding. He wasn't afraid to show his tears anymore. "Am I not worth fighting for, Mina?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Pashmina's heart ached at the question. She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Shubman, of course you are," she replied softly. "You are worth everything. Why would you think otherwise?"

He looked down, his brows furrowed in sadness. "Then why didn't she fight for me—or us?"

Pashmina's face twisted in confusion as she held his chin gently, tilting his face up to meet her gaze. "What do you mean by 'she' and 'us'?"

Shubman looked up at Pashmina, his eyes red and glistening with unshed tears as he wiped his nose with his index finger. "Avantika Bagga and me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Pashmina, with no signs of jealousy, asked him softly, "Do you want to talk more somewhere comfortable?" She gestured toward the couch on the balcony, where the gentle breeze could provide a soothing backdrop for their conversation.

Shubman nodded as he followed her lead, settling comfortably on the couch. Pashmina took his large hand into hers, gently wiping his tears with her fingers. "Tell me what's so heavy that your heart still holds it, even though you think you've closed it," she urged softly, her eyes encouraging him to open up.

He looked down at their intertwined hands, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips as memories of Avantika washed over him. "We were inseparable. I loved her, and she loved me. We saw a future together. I envisioned her sitting in the stands, cheering me on, clapping for every achievement," he reminisced, his voice thick with emotion. "But it all turned out so different."

Pashmina remained silent, letting him process his feelings. She could see the pain etched across his face as he continued. "At first, everything was perfect. We were a team, dreaming big. But then, things changed. Life got complicated, and suddenly, those dreams felt out of reach."

He shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "I kept trying to pull us back together, but she started pulling away. It was like watching someone slip through my fingers, no matter how hard I tried to hold on."

"Why did I even waste my time on someone who wasn't ready to fight for us?" Shubman exclaimed, frustration spilling out as he tugged at his hair in exasperation. The emotions he had tried to bury began to resurface, each memory pulling him deeper into despair.

Pashmina's eyes widened in alarm as she saw Shubman pulling at his hair, screaming and crying in anguish. Without a moment's hesitation, she quickly wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close and rocking him gently from side to side. "Shh, calm down, calm down," she murmured soothingly, pressing soft kisses to his temple as if trying to erase the pain he was feeling.

Shubman buried his face in her shoulder, his breath hitching as he spoke. "I don't want to feel like this anymore," he choked out between sobs, his voice muffled against her. "I love you, only you, but sometimes those memories... they hurt me."

Pashmina's heart ached at his words. She gently stroked his hair, her fingers working through the strands as she whispered, "I know, Shubman. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to carry those memories with you."

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's just that... I thought she was the one. We had so many plans, and then it all fell apart. It feels like I'm betraying those memories by moving forward with you, even though I want to."

"Listen to me," Pashmina said, cupping his face in her hands. "Loving me doesn't mean you have to forget about your past. It's a part of who you are. Those memories shaped you, but they don't define your future. You deserve to be happy, Shubman. And I want to help you find that happiness."

He looked into her eyes, searching for reassurance. "But how can I let go of the pain?"

"California is all about closure, right? Why don't we have yours too, hm?" she asked, pressing a gentle kiss to his nose. The simple gesture brought a small smile to his face, and he let her lips soothe him. His women surely knew what to do.

"So," Pashmina said, encouraging him to begin.

"Avantika Bagga," Shubman replied, letting out a huge breath before he started.