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Scene 1 – A Quiet Realisation
Morning practice ended earlier than expected, and the team dispersed—some back to their rooms, some to the gym, some to the pool. Haniya walked slowly down the hallway of the hotel, her mind replaying the previous night like an endless loop she couldn't stop.
Aarav's voice.
His smile.
His drunken honesty.
And that kiss…
Her heart still reacted every time she thought about it.
She stepped into the hotel garden to get some fresh air. The sun was warm, filtered through tall trees, and the gentle breeze helped calm her racing thoughts. She sat on a bench, hugging her knees, staring at nothing in particular.
A few minutes passed before she sensed someone approaching.
Haniya looked up—
Aarav.
Hands in pockets, hair slightly messy, expression unreadable but softer than usual. Her heart thumped.
He walked toward her slowly, unsure of what to say… but like he had been searching for her.
"Here you are," he said quietly, stopping in front of her. "I checked your room… you weren't there."
"Oh," she whispered, trying to sound normal. "I just needed some air."
Aarav nodded and sat beside her—not too close, but close enough for her to feel his presence. His eyes stayed fixed on the ground, almost as if he was gathering courage.
After a long silence, he said softly,
"Haniya… about last night."
Her breath caught instantly. She turned to face him, nervous, scared, confused.
He looked up—his eyes gentle, careful, warm.
"I don't remember everything very clearly," he admitted, "but I know I said something I've been holding back for months."
Haniya's fingers tightened around the edge of the bench.
Aarav exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"And I know I asked you for something… something I shouldn't have asked like that."
Haniya's cheeks warmed.
"Aarav… it's fine. You were drunk."
"No," he said immediately, eyes locking with hers.
"That doesn't change the truth."
Her heart skipped.
Aarav's voice softened even more.
"Haniya… did I make you uncomfortable?"
"No," she answered honestly, surprising even herself.
"You didn't."
Aarav's shoulders relaxed slightly.
But her next words made him freeze.
"But you confused me."
He looked at her—really looked—and said nothing for several seconds.
Finally, with a low voice laced with sincerity, he whispered:
"Haniya… I don't want to confuse you. I just…"
He hesitated, then continued,
"…I just don't want to lose the chance to tell you how I feel."
Haniya's breath hitched.
Before she could respond, Aarav smiled faintly—his teasing, confident smile returning at full strength.
"Also…" he added, leaning a little closer,
"if you run away again like you did last night… I'm definitely catching you next time."
Haniya's eyes widened.
"I did not run away!"
"Oh really?" Aarav smirked.
"Then why did you sprint out of the room faster than our fastest striker?"
"I did NOT sprint!" she protested.
"You flew," he corrected dramatically.
Haniya shoved his shoulder lightly.
Aarav laughed—soft, warm, and completely unguarded.
And for the first time since last night,
Haniya laughed too.
But beneath the laughter…
both of them felt it.
Something shifting.
Something growing.
Something neither could ignore anymore.
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Scene 2 – The Elevator
The elevator was empty when they stepped inside.
The moment the doors closed, the silence grew thick—charged, heavy, warm.
Haniya stared at the panel of buttons.
Aarav stood behind her, leaning against the wall, hands in pockets.
"You're avoiding me," he said calmly.
"I am NOT."
"Then look at me."
"I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"Because you're being annoying."
A small smirk curved his lips.
"You're embarrassed."
"I am NOT—"
The elevator doors slid open on their floor and she rushed out instantly.
Aarav followed, laughing softly.
"Haniya, at least try to act normal."
"I am acting normal!"
"Sure. If running away is normal."
"I'm not running!"
"Then slow down."
"I don't want to!"
"Haniya…"
Something in his tone made her stop.
Aarav stepped closer—close enough that she felt the heat radiating off him.
"I remember more than you think," he said softly.
Her breath froze.
"What do you mean?"
Aarav's eyes held hers.
"The way you kissed me."
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Before she could react, he gently took her wrist.
"I'm not teasing," he said quietly.
"I just want you to know… it meant something to me."
Her own walls trembled.
"I… I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. But someday… I hope you do."
Haniya looked up at him—really looked.
Something in her chest warmed, melted.
"I'll try," she said softly.
Aarav's smile turned soft, warm, almost relieved.
"Good."
He stepped back, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Now go," he said lightly, "before Yohaan bhai appears out of thin air and kills me."
Haniya laughed and reached her door.
"Aarav?"
He hummed.
"Stop remembering things you're not supposed to."
He smirked.
"No promises."
Haniya slipped inside, heart pounding.
Aarav leaned against the wall for a moment, smiling to himself.
"She's too cute," he whispered before heading to his own room.
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Scene 3 – Back to "Normal"… or Something Like It
The next morning, Haniya made a decision.
She would act normal. She could act normal.
Her hair neatly tied, bag strapped, she walked out with her usual confident stride.
Aarav was already waiting in the lobby with the team.
His eyes flicked to her the moment she stepped in. A tiny smile—too small for others to notice—touched his lips.
Haniya pretended she didn't see it.
"Ready to go back?" Kashvi asked.
"Of course," Haniya replied, sounding perfectly composed.
"Still four days before the next match. We'll get plenty of time to practice."
Aarav raised a brow at her tone, amused. He could see the act, but stayed silent, letting her have this small victory.
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Scene 4 – The Bus & The Chaos Twins
As soon as they took their seats, Harsh and Vivaan glanced at each other with identical evil grins.
"Good morning, couple number one!" Vivaan announced dramatically.
Aarav shot him a deadly glare.
Harsh added,
"Guys, please maintain some distance. Kids under 18 are traveling on this bus."
Haniya stared out the window, pretending to admire the trees.
Vivaan leaned forward between the seats.
"Haniyaaa, why is your face glowing today? Vitamin C? Or Vitamin Aar—"
Aarav glared.
"Vivaan."
"—RAV."
Harsh wheezed with laughter.
Haniya calmly said,
"If you both don't shut up, the next thing flying out of this bus will be you."
Complete silence.
Aarav nearly choked on laughter.
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Scene 5 – The Unexpected Moment
The bus rolled through the winding mountain roads.
The cool breeze, the exhaustion, the emotional turmoil… everything hit Haniya at once.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
And slowly, gently, her head slid to the side—
Landing perfectly on Aarav's shoulder.
Aarav froze.
Then softened.
He shifted just enough so she could rest comfortably.
Vivaan turned around and silently screamed.
Harsh grabbed his arm.
Aarav shot them a murderous look:
"Say one word. Just try."
Silence again.
The bus drove through the mountains as Haniya slept peacefully against Aarav's shoulder.
And Aarav didn't move an inch. Not even once.
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