Shubman stretched his arms over his head, letting out a deep sigh as he noticed the sun high in the sky, its warmth gentle in the cold of Kashmir. Yesterday had been a relaxing day for him. After a soothing oil massage, he quickly fell asleep, and when he woke up, he found himself on the balcony, nestled in pillows and blankets. Later, he enjoyed a long hot head bath that lasted for an hour because the warm water felt so comforting. Eventually, Pashmina's voice snapped him out of his trance, and he had to step out.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, the aroma of homely food hit him, instantly filling his senses. He could feel himself being drawn towards the kitchen, almost walking in sync with the delicious scent.

The sight of freshly made aloo parathas, generously slathered with makhan (butter), made his mouth water. He couldn't resist the temptation as the aroma filled the kitchen. To top it off, Pashmina was preparing hot chocolate for dessert, making the scene even more inviting.

"You're just in time," she said with a smile, glancing over her shoulder. "I thought you might be hungry."

Shubman leaned over Pashmina, his damp hair brushing against her shoulder, causing her to shiver slightly. She didn't react otherwise, her focus on preparing the hot chocolate. He glanced at the rich, creamy beverage being stirred and asked, "You know how to cook?"

Pashmina smiled without looking up. "A little bit. I've picked up some skills over time. Cooking is something I enjoy, especially when it brings people together."

After eating three parathas and finishing a cup of hot chocolate, Shubman felt drowsy once more. He offered to clean the table, but Pashmina shook her head. "You seem sleepy," she said gently. "You've had a busy schedule. You deserve some rest."

"No, Mina, let me help you," Shubman insisted, standing up and reaching for a dish. Pashmina smiled and gently pushed his hand away. "It's really okay," she said. "You should get some rest. I'll handle this." Seeing his reluctance, she added, "You can help me later. For now, just relax."

Shubman smiled and kissed her temple. "Good night, Mina," he said softly.

Pashmina's eyes crinkled at the corners as she rose onto her toes and kissed his forehead. "Good night," she murmured warmly.

Blushing, Shubman cuddled into his blanket, swaying back and forth as he thought about the events of the previous day. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the bed next to him was empty and that Pashmina, who had been sleeping there the night before at a certain distance, was no longer there.

But when the first lyrics of a song drifted into his ears, breaking the quiet of Kashmir, he noticed Pashmina was not there. Confused, he looked around and, realizing she wasn't in the room, decided to move out and check where she might be.

Hai dil ko teri aarzoo
Par main tujhe na paa sakun

Shubman quietly slipped out of bed, the chill of the room contrasting with the warmth he had just left behind. He followed the soft strains of the song through the house, the melody guiding him to the backyard.

There, he found Pashmina sitting on a bench overlooking the valleys and mountains.

She was singing softly, her voice attracting birds that perched on the fence nearby. Shubman watched her with a smile, enjoying the scene despite not fully understanding the significance or lyrics of the song. As he observed, he saw her lean sideways, as if resting her head on someone's shoulder and sing a particular line that suddenly made him realize what was happening.

Kayi khwaab dil tujhko le kar sajaaye
Par khauf yeh bhi kahin par sataaye
Ghar yeh bhi tootey toh phir hoga kya re
Mujhe raas aati hain khushiyaan kahan re

He took a deep breath, trying not to make a sound, as his eyes filled with tears. Quickly, he wiped them away, wanting to keep his view of the scene uninterrupted. He whispered, barely audible in the quiet, "She's hallucinating."

Shubman's heart ached as he watched Pashmina, her eyes closed and her expression serene, lost in a world only she could see.

Tears trickled down the corners of his eyes as he saw her cuddled against the invisible air as if being held in someone's arms. At that moment, he wasn't feeling jealous but rather deeply worried. Despite Pashmina having moved out of the dark room, it seemed that darkness still held some parts of her.

He watched as Pashmina cried, eventually wiping her tears while gazing into the air. Shubman closed his eyes, letting his tears fall as he struggled to watch her in distress. He knew he needed to keep his feelings in check and act as a friend, aware that allowing his emotions to interfere might complicate things.

He needed to handle the situation with care, having only a vague understanding of what she was going through. As he considered how to help her through the darkness, he reminded himself to be mindful of her other memories and emotions, avoiding selfish actions. "I can't be selfish," he muttered to himself.

He opened his eyes, wiped his face with the back of his hand, and then rubbed his nose, only to find Pashmina looking at him. Her face was tear-streaked but calm, with a hint of fear of being caught.

"We need to talk, Pashmina," he said gently but firmly.

He moved forward and gently helped her up, noticing she was avoiding his gaze. "Let's freshen up," he said softly, his tone more gentle and warm. "I'll make breakfast, and we can talk while we eat, okay?" He lifted her chin slightly with his hand, hoping his earlier firmness hadn't upset her.

Pashmina nodded, swallowing hard. She felt Shubman's lips gently press against her forehead. In response, she relaxed and held onto his T-shirt, smiling softly. Her eyelids were heavy from tears, and she blinked them away with a sense of drowsiness.