---
The next morning, the house felt strangely lighter—almost as if the tension that had been strangling both Aarav and Haniya for days had finally snapped. Haniya walked down the stairs with a calm confidence she hadn't shown before. Her eyes didn't dart away when Aarav looked at her. She didn't stumble when Vivaan or Harsh smirked.
She was done hiding.
Done avoiding.
Done pretending.
At the breakfast table, the boys were already in full teasing mode.
"Good morning, Haniya," Harsh called, dragging the words like a Bollywood hero. "Sleep well? Peacefully? Alone?" He wiggled his brows.
Aarav nearly choked on his coffee.
But instead of blushing and running away, Haniya coolly sat down, poured her juice, and replied, "Yes, Harsh. I slept wonderfully. You should try it sometime instead of wasting your energy imagining my night."
Harsh froze.
Vivaan clapped once. "Okay wow. She upgraded."
Aarav hid a smile behind his mug. Haniya caught it and kicked his leg lightly under the table. He looked at her, surprised, but her expression stayed proudly neutral.
Harsh recovered enough to tease again. "So, Aarav… anything you'd like to confess to us?"
Haniya leaned forward before Aarav could open his mouth. "Harsh, listen. If Aarav wants to confess something, I'll hear it directly from him. Not from you, not from your overactive imagination. Understand?"
Harsh shut up. Completely.
Aarav stared at her, stunned.
And proud.
And maybe a little speechless.
Vivaan muttered, "Bro, we're dead. She's not shy anymore."
Haniya shrugged. "Good. Saves time."
Aarav looked at her again—this time openly, with warmth flooding his eyes. She didn't look away. For the first time, she held his gaze without fear.
---
Later at Practice
The team gathered for training, and naturally Aarav's teammates instantly started whispering.
"Bro she's glowing."
"Aarav, you must've done something last night."
"Tharki," someone murmured behind them.
Haniya heard everything.
She smirked, turned, and said, "Yes, he did something last night. He practiced. Because SOME people look like they haven't practiced in weeks."
Half the team gasped.
Half laughed.
Aarav looked like he wanted to marry her on the spot.
During break, Aarav tugged her wrist gently and pulled her behind the bleachers.
"You okay?" he asked softly. "You're… different today."
"Not different," she said. "Just truthful."
His lips tilted in a slow smile. "I like this version."
"You liked the previous one too," she shot back.
He laughed. "True."
They talked a while—nothing dramatic, but comfortable, soft, and natural. It felt right. It felt easy. Every time she looked away, he nudged her shoulder to make her look back.
And at one point, when she teased him for missing a shot, he leaned close and pressed a quick, playful kiss to the corner of her lips before running away.
She stood frozen, eyes wide.
He turned back, smirking like a criminal.
"Catch me if you want revenge," he called.
She didn't chase him.
But she smiled the entire practice session.
---
Night – Aarav's Room
The house was quiet by the time she finished her assignments and showered. Vivaan and Harsh were still awake somewhere, probably plotting new teasing material. She didn't care.
She needed answers—clear answers—not the messy, hesitant ones they'd been exchanging for weeks.
So she walked to Aarav's room and knocked lightly.
He opened the door instantly, like he'd been waiting.
"Haniya…" His voice softened. "You okay?"
"I need to talk," she said.
He stepped aside, letting her in.
The room smelled like sandalwood and mint—his fragrance. The lights were dim. The air felt warm, almost too aware of her presence.
He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, looking at her with a seriousness that made her heart tremble.
"So…" Aarav exhaled. "You like me or not?"
Haniya blinked.
No fear.
No running.
Instead, she stepped closer, held his jaw gently, and kissed him—slow and sure. His breath caught. His fingers tightened around the bedsheet.
When she pulled away, he whispered, "What does that mean?"
She traced his lower lip with her thumb. "What do you think it means?"
Before he could respond, she turned and began walking to the door.
But she didn't get far.
Aarav moved fast—his arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her against his chest. She gasped softly as his warmth covered her completely.
"Haniya…" he whispered against her ear. "Don't walk away like that."
She felt his smile right before his lips brushed her neck—soft, teasing, sending a shiver all the way down her spine. He kissed her again, slower this time, letting his breath warm her skin.
She closed her eyes.
Her heartbeat might as well have been echoing through the room.
"You drive me crazy," he murmured, lips still grazing her neck.
She laughed softly. "Good."
He turned her around, keeping her close. Their foreheads touched, breaths mingling.
"So…" he whispered. "That kiss meant yes?"
She smirked. "Maybe."
"Haniya…" He tugged her closer.
"Okay, fine," she said, rolling her eyes playfully. "Yes."
Aarav stared at her like she'd just given him the entire universe.
She tapped his chest lightly. "Now, I'm going. I'm not getting caught leaving your room at midnight."
He sighed. "Fine."
But he lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles before letting go.
She turned to leave—but before stepping out, she whispered, "Goodnight, Aarav."
He replied instantly, "Goodnight, my yes."
She threw a cushion at him and escaped.
Her cheeks hurt from smiling the entire way back to her room.
---