Shubman was discharged a few days ago, and she hadn't seen him since. Honestly, she couldn't bear the thought of seeing him with someone else or even talking about it. He had introduced Ghazal to his family hesitantly and was met with gritted teeth and forced smiles, which he was unaware of. She was supposed to be with him and help him regain his memories, but she was too tired to look into his eyes and not see the same affection she had for him.

As for Ghazal, she wanted to punch the woman and knock her lights out every time she smirked at her in victory, but she controlled herself for her Kaake's sake. Otherwise, that opportunist would also have memory loss along with him. Sighing, Noor brushed off her evil thoughts and scanned through the scattered photos of her childhood. It was wrong to say "her" childhood; it was "their" childhood, to be precise. Except for the solo ones, he was present in every photo. Being an only child and with her parents being best friends with Gill's meant they were present everywhere, from vacations to every occasion. She smiled, caressing each photo of them, reliving a time when she didn't have to share him with anyone.

Noor picked up a photograph that caught her eye—a faded, slightly crumpled image showing two toddlers, barely a year old, sitting on a colourful play mat. Their faces were scrunched in distress as they each held onto a different end of a plush toy, a fuzzy bear with a red bow. In the background, their parents could be seen laughing, clearly amused by their children's antics. Noor's small hand was clutching the bear's head, while his chubby fingers gripped its legs, neither willing to let go. Tears streaked down their cheeks, a stark contrast to the joyful scene around them.

Noor gingerly picked up another photograph, its edges softened and corners slightly curled with age. This particular one captured a vivid moment from her third birthday celebration—a tableau of joy and exuberance. In the frame, she stood proudly beside a cake adorned with pink frosting and a riot of colourful sprinkles, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Beside her, holding the cake knife with a mischievous grin, stood her constant companion. Despite it being her special day, she insisted they cut the cake together. In the background, their parents watched their inseparable bond with fond smiles.

Noor's eyes fell on a photograph from their trip to Manali, instantly transporting her back to the snowy landscape of that unforgettable vacation. They had visited the winter wonderland when they were five years old. The entire scene was covered in snow, turning the landscape into a serene white paradise. In the centre of the frame, two bundled-up children stood side by side, their rosy cheeks and noses peeking out from beneath layers of scarves and hats. Noor wore a bright red coat and matching mittens, her breath visible in the cold air. Next to her was Shubman, wearing a blue snowsuit, his hat slightly askew, giving him a mischievous look. They were holding hands, poised in mid-jump as if they had just leaped into a pile of freshly fallen snow. Those were such pure days, just like the snow in the picture.

Noor's nostalgic reverie was abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone. Startled, she fumbled for it amidst the scattered photographs. When she saw his name flashing on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly wiped her tears as she switched on the video call and found him shirtless, looking at her with a cheeky smile.

"Noori, help me pick a shirt for the date," he said, holding up a bunch of shirts in front of her.

Noor shut her eyes tight. She knew he didn't remember she was his girlfriend due to the accident, but something deep inside fueled her anger. Opening her eyes, now filled with rage, she looked at him as he scanned through his shirts. "Wear a black one. Bye!" As soon as she said that, she cut the call, angrily tossing her phone on the bed.

Fuming, she tried to control herself and her bubbling anger. She guessed that fifteen years of waiting, which had finally succeeded, being ended by a speeding car, made her lose her calm. The drunk driver was behind bars, but if it were up to her, the world would have seen the wrath of Noor Kuljinder Bajwa. Fortunately for the driver, he was in the hands of the law. Her reverie was once again broken when her phone rang again. Without looking at the caller ID, she picked up, knowing who it was.

"What's wrong with you, Noori?" Shubman's angry voice rang on the other side.

"You're asking me what's wrong?" Noor said, her nostrils flaring.

"Yes, I am asking you what's wrong. You don't call or text, and you don't even come home," he said, banging his leg against the wardrobe while running his hand through his hair.

"I would do those things if your stupid self would take some time away from your girlfriend. You were discharged days ago and now you want to go out? Or, oh wait, your girlfriend can't wait to take you to one of her stupid parties to show off her cricketer boyfriend?" Noor spat out, unable to hold back.

"Noor, don't you dare speak about Ghazal like that. She just wants me to have something refreshing after all those tough times," Shubman raised his finger in warning, not liking the way his best friend was speaking about his girlfriend.

"You know what? Go to that claustrophobic party with drinks and make your health worse. And if that happens, don't come to us. Ask your Ghazal to take care of you because I'm sure you must have fought with your family for this party, you stubborn ass!" Noor shouted back.

Shubman wasn't ready to lash out when Noor spoke again. "I don't want to listen to your trash, so shut up! Bye!" With that, Noor hung up the call.

"You shut up too!" Shubman shouted back into the already-ended call from seconds ago.

He threw his phone on the bed not before texting Ghazal that he wouldn't be attending the party because he wasn't feeling well. Unbuttoning his shirt and pants and throwing them on the ground, he settled for just his boxers, plopping down on the bed in a ruined mood. He wasn't happy with the way Noor was acting. She was supposed to pamper him in this condition, but instead, she fought and spoke wrongly about Ghazal. He couldn't understand what was wrong with her ever since he woke up in the hospital. It was more frustrating that he couldn't remember how it all happened; all he heard when he asked was, "You got hit by a car when you came back from the London tour." He hit his hand frustratingly against the bed.

When the door of his room opened, his mother's soft voice asked, "Why aren't you dressed? Are you not going to the party?"

"No!" Shubman said, tears welling up in frustration.

"Why not?" His mother asked, confused. She knew he had fought for two hours straight to attend the party, and she was glad that whatever the reason, at least he would be home resting.

"It's because of Noor Bajwa," he said, burying his face in the pillow, not wanting to show his tears.

"Alright then, I'll make dinner for you too," Mumma Gill said, trying to control her smile, secretly pleased that Noor had persuaded him to stay home and that she still held influence over him compared to Ghazal.