Chapter 12: A Trip to the Hills

Only a week of holidays were left.

By now, Reet and Abeer were getting along well. Not just as two strangers living under one roof — but as two people slowly beginning to understand each other.

They could now sit beside each other comfortably, exchange smiles without awkwardness, and even share light jokes without hesitation.

And in that comfort, came a little plan.

---

Abeer: “Mumma, Papa... thinking of going somewhere for a few days. Just our family. Somewhere peaceful.”

His Father (surprised): “Achha? Where?”

Abeer: “Maybe a hill station? It’s been long since we went anywhere.”

His parents exchanged glances and nodded.

Mother: “Hmm. Thik hai. Vaise bhi ghar ka mahaul thoda thanda ho jaayega.”

He glanced at Reet as he said softly,
Abeer: “She needs a break too…”

Reet blinked, a little touched.

---

To the Hills…

They packed and left early the next morning. The journey was filled with silence, laughter, music, and window views of mountains passing by. It was cold. Reet sat beside Abeer, wrapped in her shawl, as he sat quietly, scrolling his phone.

But every now and then, he’d glance at her — just to check if she was okay.

---

When they reached the hotel, rooms were allotted.

One for Abeer and Reet. One for his parents.

They entered their cozy little room. It had wooden walls, a large glass window with a view of the hills… and just one bed.

No sofa. No extra couch.

They looked at each other awkwardly for a second.

Abeer (clearing his throat): “Uh... you sleep on the bed. I’ll take the floor.”

Reet (quickly): “No! I mean… no need. It’s cold here. You’ll catch a cold on the floor.”

Abeer: “But…”

Reet (smiling softly): “It’s okay. You can sleep beside me. I trust you.”

Abeer looked at her, a little surprised. But her smile was real. And he nodded.

That night, for the first time, they slept on the same bed. Not too close, not awkwardly apart — just comfortably side by side.

---

Exploring the Hills

The next day was all about sightseeing — waterfalls, sunset points, little cafes, woollen shops, and snow-topped peaks.

At one point, as they were walking along a sloping path, Reet slipped slightly.

Reet: “Ah!”

Before she could fall, Abeer quickly caught her wrist and pulled her towards him.

Their eyes met. His hands firmly on her waist, hers gripping his jacket.

Abeer (softly): “Careful...”

She blinked, her cheeks slowly turning pink.

Reet (whispering): “Thank you…”

He didn't let go immediately. He didn’t want to.

And something shifted in that moment.

---

They held hands when the paths got slippery. They laughed together while sipping hot chai from roadside stalls. They even posed for a photo, standing close — their first photo as husband and wife.

That night, as they lay on the bed again…

Reet (gently): “Today was nice.”

Abeer (smiling faintly): “Yeah… really nice.”

A silence lingered. A warm silence. Full of soft emotions neither could yet name.

---

Thank you for reading Chapter 12!💫
A cold hill station… and hearts that slowly begin to melt.
In Chapter 13, will this bond grow deeper — or face a new storm?✨