Chapter 2- The Aftermathath

As soon as the reality and gravity of their situation hit them, it had them reeling. Shock registered on Kabir and Ruhani's faces as they came to terms with the seriousness of their circumstances. Finally, taking a deep breath, Kabir said 'I have given our exact location to my brother and told him to pass it on to the police and local authorities, though they can't do much to rescue us because everything is blocked. But after a week or so if we can't get out on our own maybe they will help us. That's the best we can do right now..' Ruhani sighed and nodded, leaning her head against the window. 'I told my mom our location too. Guess we can't do anything except wait it out. When you come to these mountains you have to be prepared for anything. It's as unpredictable as it is exciting.'

Kabir hummed in agreement. 'I grew up in these parts and you are totally right. Right alongside the beauty lies the danger.' He murmured, lying on the floor now with one eye closed. Ruhani turned to regard him, seizing him up. Because his one eye was open, he smiled lazily. 'Checking me out? Do I pass as a threat or am I safe?' She grinned cautiously. 'You seem safe. So far. Don't try anything though because I'm always prepared.' His smile widened. 'Alright, girl scout. You too, don't try anything with me I can also defend myself. Same to u, back to you, no return.' Any remaining doubts Ruhani had regarding him vanished when she heard the childish tone and realised he was serious about it. She laughed openly at him now. 'You are weird. I promise I won't attack your integrity.' she muttered in between giggles. The sound pleased his ears but he maintained a stern expression. 'Hey, girls can be creepy too. You have no idea.' he muttered, putting a hand over his eyes now to shield them. Ruhani stopped laughing with some difficulty. 'Okay, I believe you.' He let out an agreeable noise and closed his eyes, getting comfortable on the floor.

Ruhani narrowed her eyes and hit him with the backpack she had retrieved from under her bike's seat. 'Ow! You went back on ur word! Mara kyu mereko aah!' he complained, rubbing his head. She rolled her eyes. 'What a drama queen. This is not the time to sleep. We have to figure out some logistics. What about food, sleeping arrangements and other stuff?' she asked. He huffed but still didn't get up. 'I have canned food for around 5 days in my backpack. I'm sure u do too. There is a filter you can get water from, and more canned food in the pantry which we can heat up in the fire. No stuff to cook though.' She nodded at that. ' That's fine. Yes I also have canned food. Don't worry I'm not high maintenance.' He grinned. 'Good to know.' She ignored that and said 'There are no beds here..how did you sleep?' she asked. He chuckled fully now. 'I know! No cliched dilemma of how we will share a single bed eh?' When she glared at him he raised his hands in surrender and said 'There are a couple of sleeping bags and pillows here. It made sense as we don't come here often to not have much of furniture.' She nodded in agreement at that.

He got up now and joined her on the floor, both of them facing the fireplace which was unlit yet. She smiled. 'Thank God you gave up on the idea to sleep. I don't want to be bored to death the whole week.' He scoffed. 'Please, I'm not boring. Do you know how many girls wud give their eye teeth to be trapped with a hot guy?' He gave her a cheeky grin. Her eyes lit up with challenge as she retorted 'Exactly, to be locked up with a HOT guy. I don't see one here.' His eyes narrowed. 'I don't see a hot girl here either.' He retorted. She chuckled openly now at his childish retort. 'Now if we are both done lying and being immature, let's get to know each other. What's ur full name, for starters?' He smiled so wide at that her heart contorted. 'I knew u found me hot!' He said cheekily. She hit his arm. 'God you are so vain. Just answer the question.' She said rolling her eyes. He chuckled once and said 'Dr Kabir Razdan. Pleased to meet you. You? ' Her eyes widened in shock.

'You are a doctor! Wow. Which speciality? My name is Ruhani Verma. I'm a mountain biker with my own YouTube channel.' There was a trace of pride in herself in her voice that Kabir didn't miss which made him admire her at that moment. 'That is really cool. And I'm a pediatrician. I returned from the US 2 months ago and am currently based in Delhi for my practice. What about you?' When she heard that, she was very impressed and awed. 'OMG! Pediatrician..treating kids..that is such a great and a beautiful job..I guess you are passionate and dedicated about it,from what I can tell about you so far. And I live in Mumbai. ' He took the compliment easily in stride. 'Thank you. Yes I love my job a lot. It is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done in my life. But I don't expect to be treated any different or specially because of it. I'm a normal person just like you or anyone.'

Her face lit up with a soft smile of admiration for the man sitting in front of her.

'You are anything but normal. I don't know too many pediatricians who do mountain trekking.' He smiled back. 'Its a passion I developed in my teens. I spent the first 18 years of my life in this state. It's home. You don't live in Kashmir and not love the mountains.' She gave a sigh of appreciation at that. 'Well I'm glad I have a native here with me to ride out the storm. And I take back my words where I called you boring.' He bowed mock dramatically. 'Thank you mi lady.' She laughed again and they both raised their hands for a high five. It was when their hands connected that Ruhani realized she had spent the last hours laughing more than she had in a long time. The realisation stunned her. Kabir on the other hand was entranced by the feel of her hand in his. It fit perfectly, her fingers filling the gap between his as he unconsciously enterwined them together, as if forming a soul link with hers.

The hold was firm and yet gentle. The gesture had started out as a friendly, innocent one but quickly turned into something deep and profound, a turning moment. When Ruhani realized that yet again they were holding hands tight, her eyes widened. But just before she could think of breaking the link, a big thud sounded outside the window and they moved closer together, instinctively back away. When the sound passed, they looked up to realise that Kabir now had an arm wrapped entirely around her and the other one was holding her hand firmly against his heart. She had one hand wrapped around him too, hugging him back and her face was buried in his neck. Gently, he lifted a hand to her hair as she pulled back. She flicked her hair behind her ear and avoided looking at him as she got up muttering that she needed to use the bathroom. He sighed and decided to let her go, but whispered 'Dont worry. It's just a reaction to the situation and circumstances we are in that's all. People seek comfort in such times and feel closer together. There is no other rational explanation.' It was as if he was convincing himself more than her. She meekly nodded and fled, not knowing what to feel. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. 'Be careful, Kabir, or you might end up in a mess before you know it.' He muttered to himself, staring at her as she walked away to the washroom.