'Aashi.'

'Rishabh.'

'Aashi.'

Rishabh....'

Aashi stirred in her place hearing someone call her name, the voice seems to be coming from somewhere distant. Slowly her eyes flicked open, she saw Rishabh's face close to hers, she smiled little.

'Thank God, you guys woke up.' Jasmine sighed. Aashi and Rishabh sat up straight, Rishabh removed the blanket and the two smiled at each other. Last night, they had been wrapped in the blanket and lay on their backs gazing up at the stars until sleep engulfed them.

'Come on, get up and move your asses, we have so much to explore.' Saket said annoyed. Rishabh stood up first and helped Aashi stand.

As the girls walked towards their tent, Laila asked, - 'Is there something going on between you two?' Aashi is startled by her question.

'Huh?' Aashi looked at her groggily. She noticed Laila had a scowl on her face.

'Of course not, we are just friends.' Aashi replied untying her hair, she felt Laila sigh in relieve. Everyone had a neutral expression as they knew Aashi and Rishabh are best friends since forever except Laila, she looked pissed off.

They had their breakfast and with the equipment, they left for trekking the Valley.

'Woah! this will be fun.' Rishabh said and passed a smile to Aashi who smiled back widely. There were many fun activities to do. At one point, Laila nearly sipped but luckily Rishabh, who was beside her, grabbed her hand. She thanked, and he smiled at her, after that she clenched his sleeves tightly. Aashi rolled her eyes.

'Bunging jumping!' Aashi, Rishabh, Jasmine, Saket, Jagan, Feroz and Dinesh, everyone said in unison, except for Laila

'I have vertigo.' She said simply, she lowered her gaze sadly. Aashi was the only one who didn't like when everyone mutually decided to drop the plan because of Laila and her "vertigo".

The day ended with them doing many fun activities, Laila participated very little, everyone initially was making her comfortable but then soon got involved in enjoying themselves than worry about her.

Later that night, they lit a campfire, chatted while frying the marinated chicken, and paneer, in the fire. They all had a gala time. As they retired for the night, they felt sad because tomorrow morning they will be leaving.

***********************************

Aashi woke up in the middle of the night, she often finds it difficult to sleep in a new place but eventually settles in. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up, she frowned on noticing only Jasmine sleeping next to her. Where is Laila? Aashi quickly left the tent.

Knowing Laila, Aashi had a feeling she has gone out hoping to find Rishabh like Aashi did last night. Aashi frowned on seeing two people sitting near the dying the campfire. Someone in a duvet and a girl sitting beside the figure, some distance between them. Aashi stopped some distance from them when she heard the girl cry. In the dark, Aashi remained well hidden.

Rishabh placed his hand on her shoulder and is saying something to her. Aashi strained her ears to hear him but couldn't.

Laila turned her head and looked at him, she said something. Aashi felt uncomfortable as she shifted closer to him. Rishabh simply looked on. She said something and leaned forward. Aashi shifted little as she watched Laila move her head closer to Rishabh's.

'He won't do it.... He won't do it.' Aashi whispered clenching her fingers into a tight fist.

To Aashi's horror, their lips touched. But it was only a peck and Rishabh quickly pulled apart. Laila blinked at him and said something, he said something shaking his head. Aashi watched, teary-eyed as Rishabh stood up and walked towards his tent. As he ducked to get in he saw Aashi.

'Aashi?' He said

She doesn't reply and turned to leave. Rishabh dropped the duvet and hurried towards her. He held her hand to stop her.

'You are awake?'

'I am sorry...I interrupted your moment.' She said sarcastically. She watched Rishabh's dark eyes widen.

He looked at her and then back at Laila who stood facing them.

'No, No,' - Rishabh shook his head, - 'Laila was upset because she felt left out on our trip. And I felt bad because I was the one who suggested she came.' He explained.

Aashi angrily wiped her tears with the back of her palm, - 'Why are you explaining it to me?'

'Because I want to, I don't want my friend to misunderstand me.' Rishabh said seriously.

'Leave it, Rishabh. I don't care if you kiss her or whatever.' Aashi said angrily and quickly got inside the tent.

The tears kept flowing and she kept wiping it furiously. After a while, she gave up. Aashi didn't know why she was being so affected. Is it because he kissed Laila and she doesn't like Laila or is it because Rishabh kissed someone who isn't her. Aashi buried herself inside the duvet and kept crying until she fell asleep.