The next morning for Shubman felt like the day after winning the World Cup. As he woke up, he was greeted by the most peaceful and beautiful sight in the world- Pashmina asleep in his arms, free from any bad dreams. Her face was calm, her breathing steady, and for the first time, she looked completely at ease. It was a moment he wanted to freeze in time, knowing that this was a glimpse of the happiness they both deserved.

Gently, he brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, his fingers barely touching her skin. He wanted this-more mornings like this, more moments of seeing her at peace, without the shadows of the past darkening her expressions.

Pashmina stirred slightly, nestling closer into his chest, and he held her a little tighter as if silently promising that he'd be there to guard her peace from now on. As the morning sun filtered through the curtains, filling the room with a soft golden light, Shubman closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling contentment that ran deeper than anything he had known.

He wanted this for the rest of his life-to wake up every morning with Pashmina Kohli in his arms.

With his eyes closed, Shubman let himself drift in that thought, savouring every bit of it. As he stood outside, waiting for Pashmina to get ready, he felt the gentle warmth of Kashmir's sun on his face, its soft rays soothing him.

Thoughts of the morning enveloped him like a comforting blanket.

"Shubman," called out Pashmina's soft voice, barely audible over the gentle rustling of the wind.

Shubman heard a soft voice reach his ears, carried by the gentle winds. He opened his eyes slowly, turning around to see Pashmina standing there, dressed in a way that took him back to older times. She wore long boots, baggy jeans, and a T-shirt over a loose shirt.

She felt her cheeks heat up as she realized he was looking at her a bit longer than usual.

Shubman took slow, deliberate steps toward her, gently holding her face in one hand. Leaning in closer, he made her breath hitch as he nuzzled his nose against her cheek before giving her a long kiss. "You're undeniably beautiful," he whispered.

Pashmina curled up against him, exhaling softly, "Thank you."

Pulling back, Shubman reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys, handing them to her. Pashmina looked at him in confusion. "You're driving us up for some snow," he said, a playful grin on his face.

Pashmina gulped, moving back slightly and shaking her head vigorously. "I can't! I don't know how to drive," she said, clearly lying as she fiddled nervously with her shirt. Her heart raced at the thought of taking the wheel.

Shubman huffed and replied, "If you won't drive, then we're staying home." He turned and started walking toward the house.

"Wait!" Pashmina called out, her voice rising. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Her eyes began to fill with tears, and she felt a wave of frustration and disappointment wash over her. She didn't want to miss out on the adventure, but the thought of driving made her anxious.

Shubman turned around, crossing his arms. "Well, someone's got to be stubborn enough to push past the fear," he said firmly. "So, you've got two choices: either drive or sit at home." He looked at her, determination in his eyes, hoping to encourage her to step outside her comfort zone.

Pashmina pouted, looking down as she extended her hand for the keys, even though she felt shaky inside. Shubman's stubbornness was something she knew she couldn't win against.

Shubman smiled and walked forward, handing her the keys. She wiped her tears and unlocked the car, guiding her movements with half-opened eyes.

As she prepared to start the engine, Pashmina gasped, tears streaming down her face. She tried her best not to think about that night, but the memories flooded back. Shubman gently placed his hand on her knee, offering reassurance and grounding her to help prevent a panic attack.

Shubman spoke softly, "Pasho, come on, drive the car." He used Karan's nickname for her to encourage her to keep going.

With a shaky breath, Pashmina nodded and gripped the steering wheel tightly. She pressed the clutch, shifted into first gear, and then pressed the accelerator.

The engine roared to life, and for the first ten minutes, Pashmina didn't exceed a speed of ten miles per hour. Her eyes were glued to the road, but the tears continued to flow. Shubman gently removed his hand from her knee, giving her the space she needed to let her emotions out.

Letting out a loud sob halfway through the journey, Pashmina pressed the clutch and shifted into fourth gear, pressing down on the accelerator. She wanted to release all her fear and darkness at once.

As they drove toward the snow, she shouted, letting her emotions pour out.

Shubman simply let her be, allowing her to cry and scream without flinching. She increased the speed, knowing she needed this moment to let out her frustration. The wind whipped through the open windows, carrying her cries away, and with each passing mile, she felt a little lighter, as if she were shedding the weight of her past.

Once they reached their destination, Pashmina pressed the brakes, jerking Shubman forward a bit. She leaned back, taking deep breaths to steady herself. After unbuckling her seatbelt, she turned around and climbed into Shubman's lap, hugging him tightly.

She buried her face in his neck, her nose brushing against his skin as she sobbed. "I did it, I did it, and it's all because of you," she cried, her voice muffled but filled with gratitude.

Shubman gently cupped her face, wiping her tears away with his thumb. "You should be proud of yourself," he said softly, looking into her eyes. "You found the courage to face what scared you, and that's incredible."

"Thank you, thank you," she sobbed, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. "You have so much to do and so many people to be with, but you're still here for me. Just months ago, I wouldn't have thought I could ever do this," Pashmina said, her voice breaking as Shubman held her tightly.

"I'm here because you matter to me," Shubman replied softly, brushing his fingers through her hair. "You've always been worth it, Pashmina. I believe in you, even when you don't believe in yourself."

She pressed her forehead against his, making him gasp softly at the closeness. "How can I repay you for this? How?"

He looked into her dark eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation. With a soft voice, he whispered, "Just let me love you."

Pashmina's smile illuminated her face, and for a moment, everything else faded away. With a gentle breath caught in her throat, she pressed herself closer to him, planting soft kisses on his cheeks while wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"Okay, okay, Mina, I love you," he said, giggling. "But I really want to play in the snow, so let's save all this lovey-dovey stuff for when we get home, alright?"

Pashmina chuckled at his childlike excitement. She leaned in, kissed his nose, and nodded. "Fine, kiddo, let's go up and play," she said with a smile.

Pashmina moved to the other side to park the car, then stepped out and followed Shubman's lead. Her small hand slipped into his, their fingers intertwining as they walked up together.

She could see Shubman beaming as he took in the breathtaking view from the cable car. The snow-covered landscape stretched out beneath them, and his eyes sparkled with wonder. Pashmina smiled, her heart warming at the sight of his joy. Moments like these made all the struggles worthwhile-seeing him so happy, so at peace, and made her feel the same.

He turned to her, eyes still wide with excitement, and said, "Look at that, Mina! It's like a dream." He pointed out toward the endless expanse of white, the trees dusted with fresh snow, and the sun casting a soft glow over everything.

"It is," she said, her eyes shifting from the view to him. It was a dream for her. She had never thought she would ever truly heal from the accident, but here she was, feeling whole again with the man who was ready to give her every inch of his heart.

Pashmina felt a lump rise in her throat, overwhelmed by the realization of how far she had come. Shubman caught her gaze and smiled softly as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. He reached over, squeezing her hand gently, and said, "You deserve all of this, Mina. Every moment of happiness."

She blinked back tears, nodding as she smiled at him. "And you deserve the world, Shubman," she whispered. She knew she still had a long way to go, but she was no longer alone.

"Well, I'm already with my world," Shubman said, his voice filled with warmth. He leaned in, brushing his nose gently against hers, making her cheeks flush a soft pink.

Pashmina let out a small, bashful laugh, her eyes glistening as she looked at him.

"I... I..." she hesitated, searching for the right words, wanting to make this moment special. "I think I'm starting to like you, you know, as..."

She took a deep breath, her heart racing as she looked into his eyes, feeling vulnerable yet exhilarated. "As something more than a friend," she finished her voice barely above a whisper.

Kissing the corner of her lips, he murmured, "Well, that made me feel special, Mina."

Pashmina let out a soft sigh, love blooming in her chest at his sweet gesture. "I'm really glad to hear that," she replied, a shy smile spreading across her face. "You deserve to feel special every day."

Up in the snowy hills at Gondola Phase 2, both of them were bundled up in thick jackets and gumboots, their breaths visible in the cold air. Pashmina's fingertips peeked out of her oversized jacket, while Shubman, looking effortlessly handsome like a character straight out of a movie, walked up the snowy path.

He turned back to check on Pashmina, and couldn't help but smile as he saw her waddling through the snow, moving like a penguin, struggling to keep her balance on the uneven ground. Just as she almost reached him, she suddenly lost her footing, her arms flailing before she fell face-first into the soft snow.

Shubman couldn't contain his laughter, his voice echoing in the crisp air. "Oh no, Mina!" he called between laughs, his eyes crinkling with amusement. He moved back toward her, extending his hand to help her up.

Embarrassed, Pashmina groaned as Shubman helped her straighten up. She quickly scooped up some snow in her fist, her eyes glinting with mischief. The moment she got back on her feet, she hurled the snow at him, catching him completely off guard.

The cold snow hit his chest, making Shubman stumble slightly in surprise, his eyes widening. "Oh, so that's how it is?" he exclaimed, his playful grin returning.

Shubman quickly bent down, scooping up snow in his hands and forming a ball, his grin growing wider. Pashmina's eyes widened in realization, and without another word, she turned and ran, her laughter echoing in the cold air.

"You're not getting away that easily!" Shubman called out, his voice full of amusement. He aimed, waiting for the perfect moment, and then tossed the snowball, hitting her squarely on the back.

Pashmina let out a surprised yelp, her feet skidding a bit in the snow. She turned to look at him, her expression a mix of shock and laughter. "You're terrible!" she called back, trying to sound annoyed but unable to hide the smile on her face.

Shubman laughed, his breath coming out in puffs of mist in the cold air. "You started it!" he teased, watching as she tried to make her way up the hill again, her movements still penguin-like.

Pashmina shook her head, unable to stop herself from smiling. Despite the cold and the snow now covering her coat, she felt nothing but warmth. Moments like these, filled with laughter and playful teasing, made everything else feel distant. It was just them, surrounded by endless snow and each other's joy.

Shubman, not missing a beat, quickly made a couple more snowballs, hurling them at her back, each one landing with a soft thud. Pashmina spun around, her face flushed from the cold and exertion, pouting at him. "Oh, that's it," she declared, her voice rising in mock seriousness. "This means war!"

Shubman grinned, raising his eyebrows challengingly. "Bring it on, Mina!" he called, his eyes alight with excitement.

Without missing a beat, she bent down, gathering as much snow as she could in her gloved hands, her fingers trembling slightly from both excitement and the cold.

Pashmina let out a battle cry, flinging her snowball at him. It barely grazed his shoulder, but the laughter in her eyes said she was just getting started. They both dove into the snow, throwing snowballs with whatever accuracy they could muster, their laughter echoing through the snowy hills.

Snow flew around them, clumsy throws missing their targets but neither caring as they slipped and slid, completely immersed in their winter wonderland.

Pashmina, her cheeks flushed from the cold and laughter, managed to catch Shubman square in the chest with one particularly well-aimed throw, making him gasp dramatically and fall backwards into the snow, pretending to be defeated.

Pashmina rushed over to him, breathless from laughter. "Got you!" she declared, standing over him triumphantly.

Shubman looked up at her, his smile softening. "Alright, alright, you win," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. But then, in one swift motion, he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her down onto him.

Pashmina let out a small yelp of surprise, tumbling forward and landing on top of him. Their laughter quickly turned into something softer as they lay there in the snow, her face hovering just inches above his. The playful glint in Shubman's eyes turned warm, his gaze locked on hers.

She studied his lips, which seemed to beckon her closer, while Shubman mirrored her gaze, caught in a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. He leaned in, his breath warm and inviting, but then hesitated, retreating slightly. His eyes remained closed, revealing his inner conflict caught between the desire to move forward and the instinct to hold back.

Pashmina's heart raced at the sight of him. Those lips looked so warm and inviting, yet doubt began to creep in. Was she really ready to take this step? Just as uncertainty threatened to overwhelm her, a voice within urged, "If you don't take a risk, you'll never know. Sometimes, you just have to act on what you feel."

She glanced around, realizing that they were enveloped in a private bubble, elevated from the tourists below, the vast snow-covered landscape surrounding them like a dream. It felt like a moment meant just for them. Taking a steadying breath, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be guided by that inner voice.

Pashmina leaned forward, closing the distance between them. She pressed her lips to his, capturing them in a hesitant yet sincere kiss. The instant their lips met, Shubman shuddered, and she felt the surprise in his body as his hands instinctively found their way to her back, pulling her closer.

He turned her around, their movements stirring the fresh snow beneath them, creating a soft crunch that echoed in the stillness of the moment. As Shubman held her close, Pashmina's fingers grazed the back of his neck, sending a shiver through him from the coldness of her touch. Yet, the warmth radiating between them quickly chased away any chill.

With a gentle tilt of his head, Shubman leaned in closer, their breaths mingling in the crisp air.

They were both aware that this was a pivotal moment, one where everything could change.

As his hands cradled her face, she felt safe and cherished, the world around them fading into a blur. She searched his eyes, finding the encouragement she needed to dive deeper into this new connection.

Shubman leaned in again, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that was no longer hesitant but filled with promise and passion. Pashmina melted against him, allowing herself to be swept away in the moment, the cold of the snow replaced by the heat of their kiss.

As they pulled back slightly, both breathless and smiling, Pashmina looked into Shubman's eyes, searching for the words that danced on the tip of her tongue. "You make me feel alive, Shubman Gill" she confessed.