54. IN HIS ARMS
The next morning, everyone was out in Manali's local market.
The narrow lanes were alive-wooden stalls lined close to each other, stacked with woollen shawls, hand-knitted caps, and silver jewellery laid carefully on deep velvet cloths.
Steam curled up from kettles of chai, shop bells chimed softly, and the air carried a mix of pine, roasted corn, and distant spices.
The women moved ahead, absorbed in colours and textures, stopping every few steps.
The men followed at a slower pace-hands in pockets, conversations lazy, patience thinning.
Vivan wasn't looking for anything in particular.
Then his gaze shifted.
Aarvi stood near a jewellery stall, holding up a pair of silver anklets. They were simple-thin, delicate, almost unassuming.
She turned to Prisha, raising them slightly.
"What do you think?"
Prisha tilted her head.
"I don't know, bhabhi... they're very simple. I don't think they'll stand out much. But it's your choice."
Aarvi nodded, thoughtful, and gently placed the anklets back where she'd picked them from.
But her eyes lingered.
Just for a second longer than necessary.
Her fingers hovered near the anklets before she stepped away.
Vivan noticed.
He didn't move. Didn't react. Just registered it-quietly.
Soon, shopping wrapped up and everyone gathered near the counter. Vinod reached for his wallet, but Vivan stepped forward first.
"I'll do it," he said casually.
Vinod looked at him for a moment, then shrugged, letting him handle it.
As the shopkeeper began packing items, Vivan's eyes drifted-briefly-toward where Aarvi stood, laughing softly at something Pragya said.
Then, without pause, he reached out.
Picked up the same anklets.
"Add this too," he said, sliding them across the counter.
The shopkeeper nodded, writing it down.
Vivan exhaled slowly, gaze fixed anywhere but the anklets.
First the earrings.
Now this.
He shook his head faintly, almost annoyed-at the moment, at the cold, at nothing in particular.
When the bill was handed over, he paid without another glance back.
Aarvi turned around just then, catching his eye for a fleeting second.
He smiled-small, effortless-as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all.
And then the group moved on, swallowed again by the noise of the market.
Vinod walked ahead with Prisha, who was already planning the rest of the day aloud. Vedant, Aarvi, and Yuvan followed close behind, laughing at something Yuvan said, Aarvi rolling her eyes but clearly amused.
Vivan walked a few steps behind them.
Not intentionally. Just... there.
"Aarvi," Yuvan said, tugging at his coat theatrically, "be honest, does this jacket make me look like a local or a tourist who Googled How to dress in Manali?"
She laughed. "Local-adjacent," she said. "I mean, it actually looks good."
Yuvan grinned. "I'll take that."
Vivan stopped walking for exactly half a second.
Then he looked at Yuvan.
Really looked.
Black woollen coat. High collar. Neutral scarf.
Annoyingly similar to his own.
Without warning, Vivan increased his pace and came level with them, overtaking Vedant in the process.
Vedant blinked. "Since when do you walk this fast?"
"Since now," Vivan replied flatly.
He brushed at his jacket suddenly, frowning as if it had personally offended him. "Ugh. Snow everywhere."
Vedant glanced at him. "Bhai... where?"
Vivan ignored him and gave his sleeve another unnecessary swipe, then turned slightly toward Aarvi.
"You can see it properly," he said casually. "There's dust, right?"
Aarvi paused mid-step and actually examined his jacket. front, collar, shoulder.
"No," she said honestly. "It's... very clean."
Vivan nodded slowly. "Hmm."
Vedant snorted. "Maybe the snow is invisible."
Vivan shot him a look that said choose life.
Yuvan raised an eyebrow, confused at his friend's sudden action.
Meanwhile adjusted his scarf once more, unnecessarily and kept walking.
Aarvi watched him for a second longer than needed, then smiled to herself before turning back to the conversation.
Behind her, Yuvan shook his head, still confused.
___
They finally reached the place Prisha had been insisting on for hours.
A wide stretch of land lay before them, completely wrapped in white, snow piled thick on the ground, glittering faintly under the pale winter sun. The air was sharp and cold, carrying echoes of laughter, boots crunching, and distant shouts as people slid, fell, and laughed again.
Prisha's eyes widened the moment she saw it.
"SNOW!" she squealed, already shrugging off restraint.
Before anyone could stop her, she took off, boots slipping slightly as she ran toward the open snowfield, arms stretched wide like she had been waiting her whole life for this exact moment.
Vivan chuckled, shaking his head as he watched his younger sister disappear into the chaos, snow spraying up around her with every careless step.
One by one, the others followed. Vedant laughing loudly, Yuvan already bending to scoop up snow, Aarvi hesitating for just a second before stepping forward, curiosity overcoming caution.
Only Vinod and Pragya stayed back.
They settled onto a wooden bench at the edge of the field, shoulders close, watching their children with soft smiles-content, quiet, and warm in a way only parents could be.
Ahead of them, the snowfield came alive.
People climbed small slopes dragging round tubes and sleds behind them, instructors shouting directions, children tumbling and rolling without care. Somewhere, a whistle blew. Somewhere else, someone slipped and burst into laughter.
Prisha had already reached the top of a small incline, waving wildly at everyone below.
"COME FAST!" she shouted. "THIS IS AMAZING!"
Vivan's gaze drifted naturally through the crowd-
And landed on Aarvi.
She stood there, snow brushing the hem of her coat, cheeks pink from the cold, eyes bright with wonder as she watched the others slide down laughing.
For a brief second, everything else blurred.
The noise. The movement. The white stretching endlessly around them.
And then-
A loud thud.
Prisha came sliding down the slope on a tube, screaming dramatically before collapsing into the snow at the bottom, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
That broke the moment.
Vivan exhaled a quiet breath, rolled his sleeves slightly, and was about to step into the snowfield-
Thud.
A snowball hit him square on the shoulder.
He froze.
Slowly, deliberately, he turned.
Yuvan stood a few steps away, hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets, a smug smirk tugging at his lips-eyes openly challenging.
Vivan's jaw tightened.
Oh.
It was on.
Without a word, he bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, packed it firmly between his palms, and threw it straight at Yuvan.
Hit.
Right on his chest.
Yuvan let out a laugh, already bending down to retaliate. Within seconds, the calm white field turned into chaos-both of them ducking, throwing, missing, laughing-snow flying wildly, crunching under boots.
Vivan raised his arm again, aiming carefully-
Thud.
This time, the snowball struck his back.
He stiffened.
Turned sharply.
Aarvi stood there, eyes wide, hands still dusted with snow, guilt written all over her face.
"I-I'm sorry," she rushed, stepping forward. "I didn't mea-"
Thud.
Another snowball hit her arm.
Aarvi gasped, startled, instinctively stepping back.
Vivan's head snapped up.
Yuvan stood there again, eyebrow raised, another snowball already forming in his hand-really? written clearly across his face.
Vivan didn't think.
He stepped in front of Aarvi instantly, blocking her.
"Hey," he said, half-laughing, half-challenging. Then he turned to her, eyes bright, grin breaking through. "Aarvi, come on. Hit him. As hard as you can."
She blinked, startled. "What?"
"Trust me," he said softly but firmly. "Just throw."
Hesitant-but smiling now-Aarvi bent down, scooped up snow, packed it clumsily, and threw.
It missed by an inch.
Yuvan burst out laughing. "Nice try!"
Vivan groaned dramatically. "Okay, okay-team effort."
He stepped closer, guiding her hands quickly. Their gloves brushed-barely.
Neither of them pulled away.
"Now," he said, stepping back, eyes fixed on her, "aim."
She threw again.
Hit.
Yuvan staggered back exaggeratedly. "HEY-!"
Vivan laughed.
Not the polite, controlled laugh he usually gave-but a real one. Head tipping back, shoulders shaking, unguarded and free.
And Aarvi laughed too.
Soon the snowfield turned into pure chaos-Vedant joining Yuvan's side, Prisha loudly announcing herself as the judge, calling out "No cheating!" while snowballs flew in every direction.
Everyone was a complete mess.
But Vivan-
Vivan felt something light settle in his chest.
Because this time, Aarvi wasn't standing aside.
She was with him.
Laughing. Playing. Choosing his side.
Eventually, Yuvan raised both hands dramatically. "Okay, okay-you win. I'm done."
And that was it.
The happiness on Vivan's face doubled.
So did Aarvi's.
"We won!" they both shouted at the same time.
Without thinking, without stopping-
They ran toward each other.
A hug.
Sudden. Tight. Pure, reckless excitement.
Vivan's arms wrapped around Aarvi instinctively, pulling her in before either of them could register what they were doing. And then-without warning-he lifted her off the ground, spinning her once... twice... snow crunching loudly beneath his boots, laughter spilling freely from both of them.
Aarvi let out a startled laugh and, without realizing it, buried her face into the warm hollow of his neck.
Too close.
Unaware of just how close.
Her breath brushed his skin. Her forehead rested against him. Her hands clutched his jacket as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Prisha froze.
Her hand flew to her mouth-half shock, half happiness-eyes wide at the sight in front of her.
Vedant swallowed hard, staring.
Was his brother really this excited over winning a stupid snowball fight?
Vinod and Pragya exchanged a quiet, knowing smile-the kind that said some things didn't need words.
And Yuvan?
Yuvan watched them with a look that screamed quiet satisfaction.
Mission accomplished.
As Vivan spun her, Aarvi slowly lifted her face from his neck, laughter still bright on her lips.
She looked up.
Her eyes met his.
And her smile faltered.
Not out of fear.
Out of realization.
Vivan's smile faded instantly too.
They were too close.
Their breaths tangled between them, visible in the cold air-warm clouds rising and disappearing far too quickly. He could see the color on her cheeks, the slight part of her lips, the way her fingers were still gripping him.
Slowly-carefully-Vivan lowered her back to the ground.
As her feet searched for balance, Aarvi instinctively clutched his jacket tighter, afraid she might slip.
She didn't know-
How focused Vivan was on holding her steady.
How every muscle in him was tense, terrified of letting her fall.
How gentle his grip was, as if she were something fragile, something that could break if he wasn't careful enough.
When her feet finally touched the snow, she loosened her hold.
She didn't look up.
She didn't need to.
She knew everyone had seen.
"I... I'm sorry," Vivan said softly, still looking at her, the world around him fading into noise.
Aarvi nodded and stepped back slightly, creating distance-but not enough to calm him.
Vivan's hands trembled at his sides.
He wasn't embarrassed.
He was scared.
What if he had crossed a line?
What if he had made her uncomfortable?
What if she avoided him after this?
He hadn't planned it.
It had just... happened.
He gulped, glancing at her once more before forcing himself to look away-toward the others, toward anywhere that wasn't her.
Then he noticed it.
His hands.
Shaking.
His heartbeat.
Racing.
This fast?
He had never felt this before.
Not even with Kiara.
He had hugged people before. Hugging was normal. Casual. Meaningless.
That's what he had always believed.
But now-
Now he knew.
Because whatever this was...
It wasn't normal.
And it wasn't meaningless.
He wanted to know-
What had she felt?
Fear?
Awkwardness?
Or something else entirely?
Aarvi walked toward everyone.
"Bhabhi-" Prisha gasped.
"Prisha."
Yuvan's voice cut in softly but firmly.
She turned toward him, confused for a second, until he gave a small shake of his head-subtle, deliberate. Not now.
Prisha pressed her lips together and stayed quiet.
"I think we've enjoyed enough for today," Vinod said then, sensing the shift in the air. "We should head back now."
No one argued.
They began walking back-together, yet strangely apart.
Among them, there was one silence louder than the rest.
Vivan.
His steps were steady, but his mind wasn't.
He couldn't understand what had happened-why he couldn't shake it off, why that moment refused to loosen its grip on him. His eyes kept drifting to Aarvi without meaning to, as if searching her face for answers.
Was she frightened?
Uncomfortable?
Embarrassed?
Flustered?
He looked again.
And again.
But Aarvi walked quietly, not speaking to anyone, her expression unreadable.
His chest tightened.
I hurt her.
The thought settled heavy, unpleasant.
He let out a slow breath, staring ahead now, jaw clenched.
___
By evening, the cold had deepened.
Everyone gathered around the bonfire-laughter crackling along with the flames. Teasing started again. Games followed. The warmth returned, at least on the surface.
Vivan tried.
He smiled when he was supposed to. Cracked a joke at the right moment.
Then-without realizing-his eyes went to Aarvi.
Did she smile at his joke?
She did.
Just a smile.
Nothing more.
No teasing. No avoidance. No accusation.
And somehow, that made it worse.
He said nothing after that.
Just watched.
The bonfire's yellow glow danced across her face, turning her skin golden. Her brown eyes reflected the flames, soft and shimmering. Her lashes cast faint shadows, her lips curved slightly as she listened to someone speak.
He didn't even realize how long he had been looking.
Until she looked up.
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
His breath hitched.
He looked away instantly-anywhere but her.
Fuck.
How much more was he going to embarrass himself today?
Aarvi turned her gaze away too, leaning into the family conversation again.
Not avoiding him.
Just... careful.
Careful not to stretch the moment.
Careful not to make it harder.
For either of them.
The bonfire burned low.
Laughter softened into tired smiles, conversations slowed, and one by one, everyone retreated to their rooms.
The night settled over Manali-cold, still, heavy with pine-scented air.
Vivan lay on the bed, one arm under his head, staring at the ceiling.
Sleep didn't come.
Every time he closed his eyes, the day replayed itself-not in fragments, but in feelings. The weight of her in his arms. The way she had gone quiet after. The look on her face when reality had rushed back in.
He shifted.
Turned.
Exhaled sharply.
Enough.
He sat up, running a hand through his hair, the room suddenly feeling too small-too warm for how restless he felt.
Quietly, he got up and walked toward the balcony.
The cold air hit him the moment he stepped outside-sharp, clean, grounding. He rested his hands on the railing, breathing in deeply, letting the chill seep into his skin.
He stood on the balcony, staring at the moon-expressionless.
Not because he felt nothing.
But because there was too much to feel.
The mountains slept beneath a blanket of white, the night quiet except for the faint wind brushing past him. His chest felt tight, crowded with thoughts he couldn't name. The day replayed in fragments-laughter, warmth, her arms around his neck-each memory landing heavier than the last.
Slowly, almost absent-mindedly, he pulled a cigarette from the pack he'd taken from the lounge.
Lit it.
The flame flared briefly, then died.
He inhaled, hoping for the familiar numbness. Hoping it would slow his racing thoughts, ground him-anything.
But it didn't.
___
Inside the room, Aarvi woke to drink water.
The bed beside her was empty.
She paused.
A strange unease settled in her chest-quiet but persistent. She glanced around, then stepped out, checking the lounge... the hall... the stairs.
Her footsteps slowed when she reached the balcony.
And then she saw him.
Vivan.
Standing under the moonlight, smoke curling lazily into the night, his back slightly hunched-as if the world felt heavier tonight.
Her breath caught.
She walked toward him softly.
He felt it.
Turned.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them spoke-until her gaze dropped to his hand.
The cigarette.
"You're awake this late?" she asked gently.
He nodded, a small, almost invisible smile tugging at his lips. "I couldn't sleep, that's why-"
"So you came here to smoke?" she interrupted.
He froze.
Words failed him. He didn't know whether to explain... or apologize... or stay silent.
"I'm sorry if I'm crossing a line," she said after a pause, her voice softer now. "But I think..."
She hesitated.
"You shouldn't smoke. It's-it's injurious to health."
The words weren't harsh.
They were worried.
He looked at her.
She looked back.
For a few seconds, the world held its breath.
"You shouldn't stay out here either," she added quickly. "It's cold. You'll catch a cold."
Something warm stirred in his chest.
She cares.
The realization hit him unexpectedly-soft, bright, dangerous.
But then she spoke again.
"Your parents might feel disturbed... seeing you unhealthy."
And just like that, she turned and walked away.
Leaving him there.
Moonlight. Cold air. Smoke between his fingers.
Vivan lowered his gaze to the cigarette.
Her words echoed in his head.
You shouldn't smoke.
He didn't know why-but suddenly, the urge was gone.
The cigarette felt foreign in his hand. Pointless.
Without another thought, he flicked it down, crushing it under his shoe until the ember died completely.
Then he turned.
And walked back inside.
Vivan entered the room quietly.
The door clicked shut behind him with barely a sound.
The lights were off.
Only the faint glow from outside slipped in through the curtains, soft and pale, enough to make out the shape of the bed.
Aarvi was asleep.
On her side. One arm tucked beneath the pillow, hair spilling messily across her cheek. Her breathing was slow, even-unaware of the storm she'd left behind in him.
He stopped near the door.
Just stood there for a second longer than necessary.
Something in his chest loosened, just a little, seeing her like this. Peaceful. Safe. Untouched by the chaos running through his head.
He moved closer, steps careful, almost practiced-like he was afraid even the floor might wake her.
She didn't stir.
Good.
He sat down on his side of the bed slowly, the mattress dipping ever so slightly.
Still, she didn't wake.
He exhaled.
Only then did he realize he'd been holding his breath.
Lying back carefully, he kept a small distance between them, as if an invisible line now existed-one he didn't know how to cross again.
His gaze drifted to her despite himself.
Her face looked softer in sleep. Less guarded. No awkwardness. No unspoken questions in her eyes.
Just Aarvi.
He turned onto his side, facing the ceiling.
Smoking hadn't helped.
But this-
This quiet.
This shared space.
It did something to him.
His hand rested on the sheet between them, fingers curling slightly, stopping just short of where her warmth began.
He didn't move closer.
Didn't touch.
But he didn't pull away either.
She was worried, he thought again.
Not angry.
Not accusing.
Worried.
His heartbeat slowed, just a fraction.
And somewhere in the stillness of the room-between her steady breaths and his restless thoughts-Vivan realized something he wasn't ready to name yet.
He slept that night.
Not deeply.
Not peacefully.
But enough to dream.
And in that dream, she was still there-close, warm, and impossible to ignore.
~?~