(She's sitting on a large stone, gazing out over the valley, her posture relaxed but distant. She looks beautiful in the soft morning light, but there's a coldness in the way she holds herself. Abhi, still feeling the weight of their last interaction, hesitates for a moment, but then takes a deep breath and walks over toward her.)
(As he approaches, he notices she doesn't look up. Her face is calm, but there's something in her eyes — something unreadable. Abhi stops just behind her for a second, then, driven by a mix of vulnerability and determination, he gently sits down beside her.)
Abhi
(softly, but with a playful hint)
"C'mon, don't tell me you're really gonna sit out here all alone like this."
(He sits a little closer, nudging her with his shoulder. She stiffens for a moment, then tries to pull away slightly, but he persists, leaning in a little more until their shoulders are brushing.)
Ishana
(quietly)
"Don't."
(She tries to move, but his presence is warm, and his body heat feels comforting despite the tension. Finally, after a moment of resistance, she stops fighting it and just lets him be there.)
(Abhi leans into her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as if it's the most natural thing in the world, pulling her close with a gentle, comforting cuddle. She stiffens again but doesn't pull away. Instead, she sighs softly, her breath a quiet puff against the cold morning air.)
Abhi
(murmuring, his voice full of sincerity)
"I know last night was... a mess. I didn't mean to make things worse."
(She doesn't respond immediately, but she lets him stay there, resting against him. His presence, despite everything, seems to calm the storm inside her — or at least, that's how it feels for the moment.)
(Meanwhile, the group is wrapping up their last photos, and as they see Abhi and Ishana, they start making jokes, clearly aware of the undercurrent between the two.)
Olivia
(grinning, loud enough for both of them to hear)
"Man, you two are seriously a cute couple. Just saying."
(The group laughs, some of them nudging each other and exchanging knowing glances.)
Luca
(mock-seriously)
"Yeah, definitely looks like the 'cuddling for survival' thing really worked out for Abhi. Glad to see you're alive, bro."
(Abhi groans, rolling his eyes, but can't help but laugh a little.)
Abhi
(grinning sheepishly)
"I wasn't trying to—never mind."
(Ishana doesn't say anything, but her lips curl slightly into a tiny smile. She doesn't acknowledge the group's teasing directly, but it's clear she's hearing everything.)
(Nick, always the troublemaker, shouts over from a distance.)
Nick
"Yo, Abhi, the whole tent heard you last night. You think we were asleep in a soundproof room? We heard everything, bro. And I mean everything."
(The group bursts into laughter, and Abhi's face immediately turns red. He looks up at Ishana, who has a knowing look in her eyes, but her expression is now more... playful than anything else.)
Abhi
(groaning, hiding his face)
"Oh my god, you guys. Seriously? I didn't... think the walls were that thin."
(Krish laughs and winks at Abhi.)
Krish
"Dude, you really gotta work on your 'body heat conservation' strategies. That was borderline painful to listen to."
(The group continues laughing, and Abhi looks over at Ishana, who's trying her best not to laugh but failing miserably. She shoots him a glance — it's amused, but there's also a little warmth there.)
Ishana
(teasing, her voice dripping with sarcasm)
"Guess I'll have to make sure I don't accidentally say anything weird, huh? Wouldn't want the whole camp to overhear my... private conversations."
(Abhi looks at her, sheepishly, but his heart skips a beat. She's not mad anymore, just amused — which, in some twisted way, feels like progress.)
Abhi
(trying to play along)
"You know what? Maybe I should just whisper from now on. Wouldn't want to ruin the mystery."
(Ishana raises an eyebrow, clearly entertained.)
Ishana
"Not sure I'd want you to whisper anything to me ever again. But you do need to work on your dody heat theory."
(Abhi chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling both relieved and embarrassed at the same time.)
Abhi
"Point taken. I'll keep my 'survival tactics' to myself next time."
(The mist is gone. Sunlight spills over the valley. Abhi and Ishana are still sitting close together on the big stone, quiet, shoulders touching.)
Luca
(teasing as he lifts his phone)
"Okay, seriously—you two look like you're in a movie right now."
Nick
(snapping photos)
"Don't move! This is golden. Ishana, little smile. Abhi, try not to look half-dead."
Abhi
(groaning)
"Come on, guys. I'm sick, not starring in a romance ad."
Ishana
(dryly)
"You're lucky I'm not charging a photo fee."
Olivia
(laughing)
"Too late. These are going straight to the group chat. And maybe your future wedding album."
Jack
(snorts)
"Is this a camping trip or a honeymoon?"
Nick
(mock dramatic)
"Love is in the air—and I'm still single!"
Tia
(smiling as she walks past him)
"Maybe not for long."
Nick
(perks up)
"Oh? That a hint?"
Tia
"Guess you'll find out."
(The group reacts with oohs and laughs, but suddenly Abhi groans loud enough to turn heads.)
(The group is hiking down. It's steep and everyone's tired. Abhi trails behind, groaning.)
Abhi
(dramatic)
"Who thought making a sick person carry a full backpack down a mountain was okay? This is straight-up torture."
Daniel
(not looking back)
"Should've thought of that before you tried to flirt your way into Ishana's sleeping bag."
Abhi
(wounded)
"Wow. Harsh."
Pooja
(cutting in)
"You two don't even compare."
(Daniel looks at her. She avoids him completely and walks faster.)
Nick
(to Tia, quietly)
"Whoa. Frost warning."
Tia
"Yeah… club night tension, clearly not gone."
Krish
(grinning)
"What even is this trip? Couples' getaway? Bachelor party?"
Jack
"Feels like both."
(The group reaches the bottom. Bags hit the ground. Everyone's sweaty, exhausted.)
Abhi
(collapsing)
"I survived. Barely. Someone carry me or I'm filing a complaint."
Luca
"Relax. You made it. Drama and all."
Olivia
"Next time, flirt less. Pack lighter."
Ishana
(walking past, smirking)
"The whining's keeping him warm now."
Abhi
(calling after her)
"You care!"
Ishana
"Barely."
(The others chuckle. Tia casually sits next to Nick.)
Tia
"You still need that cuddle buddy, or…?"
Nick
(grinning)
"Always. Emotionally available, physically cold."
Tia
(laughs)
"Let's fix one of those."
(Meanwhile, Daniel and Pooja stand near the van, awkward and silent. Olivia and Krish watch from the side.)
Olivia
"Should we say something?"
Krish
"Nah. The tension's kind of entertaining."
(The group piles into the van, tired but full of stories—some funny, some awkward, and a few still unfolding.)
(The group is crammed into the van, tired but buzzing from the hike. Some are laughing, some are pretending to sleep, but everyone's still riding high on the chaos of the trip.)
Abhi
(laughing, groaning)
"I feel like I need another three days just to recover from this one trip. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to make me haul a backpack up a mountain when I was already feverish?"
Ishana
(smirking)
"Well, maybe you should've stayed in the tent last night, then. Who knew your survival tactics would involve a full-body meltdown?"
Abhi
(defensive, but teasing)
"Hey, I was trying to be a hero."
Ishana
(dryly)
"Right, a hero who got thrown out of a tent and caught a cold. Real heroic."
(The van bursts into laughter. Abhi glares at her playfully, but he can't help the grin spreading across his face. It's clear things have shifted from tension to something more lighthearted.)
HOTEL –
(After the long, exhausting drive back, the group arrives at the hotel. Everyone steps out, stretching, groaning, and gathering their bags. The lobby is calm and quiet, and everyone heads towards the check-in desk. Abhi lingers for a second, looking over at Ishana, who's already walking towards the elevator.)
Abhi
(with a mischievous glint)
"Hey, Ishana. Wanna join me in my room? We can talk about... survival tactics."
(Ishana stops mid-step, turns to look at him with a raised eyebrow, clearly amused but still keeping her cool.)
Ishana
(teasing)
"Looks like you've got your energy back. Maybe you should save it for the wedding drama. I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunities for you to showcase those... survival skills of yours."
(Abhi, slightly deflated but still trying to recover, chuckles awkwardly. Ishana smirks, then walks into the elevator without another word, leaving Abhi standing there with a half-sarcastic smile
(The bathroom door creaks open. Abhi steps out, towel wrapped low around his waist, droplets of water still gliding down his chest. He's ruffling his damp hair with one hand when a knock on the door makes him freeze.)
(He glances at the door, slightly alarmed.)
ABHI
(confused, half to himself)
"What now...?"
(He walks over and opens the door — and stops. Right in front of him stands Ishana, her hair damp, tied loosely back, and she's wearing nothing but a hotel bathrobe. She's holding out a strip of cold medicine, her expression unreadable.)
(For a beat, neither of them speaks. Then, instinctively, Abhi reaches out, grabs her wrist, and pulls her gently but quickly inside, shutting the door behind her with a quiet click.)
ABHI
(low voice, eyes wide)
"Are you serious right now? Dressed like that — in the hallway?"
ISHANA
(raising an eyebrow, playing it cool)
"Relax. Your room is right across from mine. It's not like I walked through the entire lobby."
ABHI
(still flustered, glancing over her robe)
"Yeah, well... I'm not exactly dressed for visitors either."
(He gestures to his towel. Her eyes flick down for half a second before meeting his again.)
ISHANA
(smirking slightly)
"Clearly."
(The silence stretches for a moment too long. The air between them grows thick — not awkward, but heavy with tension. Unspoken things. Unexplored feelings.)
(They're both standing just a few feet apart, barely dressed, aware of every breath and shift of movement.)
ABHI
(softly)
"You came to give me medicine… in a bathrobe?"
ISHANA
(teasing, but her voice is low)
"I wasn't exactly planning a romantic ambush, Abhi. I just... saw it in my bag. Thought you might need it."
(She places the medicine on the dresser beside them. Their hands almost brush. Both freeze. Abhi's gaze lingers on her face — the curve of her jaw, the way a strand of damp hair clings to her cheek. He's trying hard to stay composed, but his pulse is loud in his ears.)
ABHI
(half-laughs, almost whispering)
"You're making this way harder than it should be…"
(He reaches out slowly, his fingers brushing her arm — not pulling, not pushing, just touching. Testing the space between them.)
ISHANA
(quietly, without pulling away)
"Then maybe you should breathe."
(He swallows hard, every muscle in his body tensing to keep still. His eyes flick to her lips, just for a second — then he forces himself to pull back a little, trying to clear his head.)
ABHI
(breathing in deeply)
"Okay. Okay, wait... I'm gonna need you to do something."
ISHANA
(eyebrows raised)
"What?"
ABHI
(grinning, trying to regain control of himself)
"Wear this."
(He walks to the edge of the bed where a clean shirt is draped over his bag. He picks it up and tosses it gently toward her.)
ISHANA
(blinking, catching the shirt)
"Seriously?"