Chapter 25

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as the first golden streaks of sunlight filtered through the trees. The sky stretched endlessly above them, streaked with the soft glow of dawn, and Aria inhaled deeply, rolling her shoulders as the group gathered at the base of the trail.

She had always loved trekking—the slow, steady rhythm, the feeling of leaving the world behind with every step. Here, nothing mattered but the climb, the quiet, the moment itself.

Paul, stretching beside her, let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "So this is what rich people do for fun? Wake up at an ungodly hour and voluntarily climb up a mountain?"

Aisha smirked. "You say that now, but by the time we reach the top, you'll be calling this a spiritual experience."

Paul scoffed. "Doubtful."

Ahead of them, Kabir stood talking to one of the resort guides, effortlessly composed, his usual sharp, tailored look traded for a fitted black athletic shirt, dark pants, and sturdy hiking boots. He looked entirely too unfair in this setting, the kind of person who seemed naturally good at everything he tried.

Aria, despite herself, gave an approving nod.

Paul caught her staring and leaned in. "You know, if you looked any harder, this trek would turn into a murder mystery."

She shot him a glare. "Shut up."

Paul grinned. "You shut up."

Before she could respond, Sanya arrived, as out of place as she could possibly be.

She had dressed for aesthetics, not practicality—sleek leggings, a white sports jacket that looked like it had never seen a single speck of dust, let alone dirt, and sneakers so spotless they practically reflected light.

"Kabir," she greeted smoothly, slipping into his space. "I hope you got some rest. You'll need it."

Kabir nodded once, barely acknowledging her.

But Aria caught the quick glance he sent her way instead.

She didn't react, simply bending to tighten her shoelaces. "We ready?"

The guide cleared his throat. "It's a moderate hike—about two and a half hours to the top. There's a steep section midway, but the sunrise view is worth it."

Sanya sighed dramatically. "Two and a half hours? I thought this was a short trail."

Paul clapped her on the shoulder. "Think of it as a workout with a view."

Sanya looked like she regretted ever suggesting this.

Aisha, hiding her amusement, gestured ahead. "Shall we?"

And just like that, they started.

The first twenty minutes of the trek were filled with easy banter, Paul's constant complaints, and the Meraki team breaking into random jokes that made no sense but were hilarious anyway. Aria found herself laughing more than she had in weeks, the kind of laughter that wasn't polite or restrained, but full, unguarded, real.

Kabir, walking a few steps ahead, felt his steps falter.

It wasn't something he had expected.

Aria Vijay was sharp, professional, impossible to intimidate. But here, she was different. Laughing freely, tossing her head back, her dimples deepening as she shook her head at yet another ridiculous comment from Paul.

He forced himself to look away, but the sound lingered in his chest.

It shouldn't have affected him, but somehow, it did.

They had pulled ahead of the group by the time Aria caught a glimpse of his phone.

Kabir had taken it out to check the time, the screen lighting up briefly. She wasn't trying to look, but her eyes flickered to the screen instinctively.

And she froze.

Because it wasn't just some generic background.

It was a screenshot of their chat.

Her words.

"Thank you, Kabir."

A simple message, one she hadn't thought twice about after sending it.

But he had.

He had kept it.

A strange warmth curled low in her stomach, something she couldn't quite name.

She should have ignored it, let it go. But she was Aria Vijay.

And she never let things go.

Tilting her head slightly, she said, "Didn't know I made your favorites list, Mr. Oberoi."

Kabir faltered.

For the first time, he had no response.

No smirk. No practiced deflection.

Instead, he ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to collect himself.

Aria smirked, fully enjoying the rare sight of him caught off guard.

But she didn't push. Not yet.

They were about halfway up when a rustling in the bushes caught their attention.

Kabir stiffened. "Did you hear that?"

Aria was already moving toward the sound.

And there, nestled between the rocks, was a tiny brown puppy.

It was barely a few weeks old, small and shivering slightly, wide eyes staring up at them.

Aria let out a soft breath. "Oh my God."

Without hesitation, she crouched, extending a careful hand. "Hey there, little one."

The second the puppy clumsily climbed into her lap, tail wagging weakly, she melted.

Kabir... watched.

And something inside him shifted.

Because this was new.

Aria—who challenged him at every turn, who was sharp and relentless—was sitting on the ground, cradling a tiny creature like it was the most precious thing in the world.

She looked up at him, beaming. "We can't leave it here."

Kabir hadn't planned to say anything. But before he could think, he murmured, "We won't."

Aria blinked, surprised.

Paul and Aisha caught up then, taking one look at the puppy and groaning. "Fantastic. We're adopting strays now."

Aisha smirked. "You say that like she wasn't going to do it the moment she saw it."

Aria scowled. "I'm not adopting it, I just—"

Kabir cut in smoothly. "We'll check if someone's missing a pup. If not, we'll bring him back."

Aria smiled at him, something softer this time. "Agreed."

The puppy yawned and curled into her chest, as if it had already decided its fate.

Kabir found himself still watching her.

Still affected.

By the time they reached the summit, the sky had exploded into color—soft hues of pink and lavender melting into deep oranges and golds, the valley below breathtaking in the golden light.

Aria, still holding the puppy, lifted her phone for a selfie, completely unguarded, happiness written all over her face.

Kabir raised his phone too.

Intending to capture the sunrise.

But when he looked at his screen—

It wasn't the sky he had taken a picture of.

It was her.

The puppy in her arms. The morning light catching in her hair. That rare, completely unfiltered smile.

He stared at it a second too long.

Paul and Aisha noticed.

And so did Sanya.

Paul and Aisha exchanged a knowing glance.

Sanya's face fell.

And Kabir…

Kabir locked his phone.

He didn't know why he had taken the photo.

But he didn't delete it.

Somewhere in his gallery, a single unintentional photograph remained—Aria in golden light, smiling down at the puppy, caught in a moment that Kabir wasn't sure he'd ever forget.

And for some reason, he didn't want to.