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Everyone dragged themselves into the dorm, drained after such a long day. Vivaan dropped onto the couch and groaned loudly. "I swear my soul left my body on the way back."
Harsh kicked off his shoes like he was fighting a demon. "If someone asks me to talk right now, I'll cry."
Kashvi laughed weakly. "We all need sleep. And food. And a new life."
Aarav and Haniya stood a little apart from everyone else, both tired but carrying that quiet softness in their eyes that only they noticed in each other. Kashvi stretched and headed toward her room. "Goodnight, guys."
"Night," Vivaan and Harsh mumbled in unison as they disappeared into their rooms too.
Finally, only Aarav and Haniya were left standing in the silent living room. The soft light from the hallway fell on her face, and she looked up at him with a tired but warm smile. Aarav hesitated before speaking.
"You wanna… sit for a bit?" he asked.
She nodded, and they slipped out to the small balcony attached to the dorm. The night air was cool and quiet, the perfect escape from all the noise of the day. They sat side by side, close but not touching at first. The city lights shimmered far below them, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Aarav sighed softly. "So… how do you feel about today?"
Haniya hugged her knees lightly. "I feel everything. Happy… nervous… kind of overwhelmed. But we won, so… proud too."
"You were amazing today," he said, looking at her instead of the city. "Seriously. I couldn't stop watching you play."
She laughed shyly. "You also played great."
"I know," he smirked.
She hit his arm, and he laughed. The silence returned, but it was warm this time, comfortable and inviting. The kind of silence that felt like home.
Aarav lowered his voice. "Can I say something without you running away?"
"Try me," she said calmly.
"You looked really beautiful today."
She paused. Her heart skipped, but instead of looking away, she looked directly back at him. "You looked handsome too."
He blinked. "…Are you flirting back?"
She gave a small smirk. "Maybe."
And that was all it took.
Aarav reached for her hand, slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. She didn't. Their fingers intertwined naturally, like they'd been waiting to fit together.
"Haniya," he murmured, brushing his thumb gently over her skin, "come here."
His other hand rose to her jaw, touching her with a softness that made her breath catch. Their faces moved closer—her breath warm against his, his eyes dropping to her lips.
Then he kissed her.
It began slow, gentle, almost like a question. She answered it by kissing him deeper, fingers curling in the front of his shirt. Aarav's hand slid behind her neck, guiding her closer. The kiss grew warmer, sweeter, with a tenderness that almost hurt.
He kissed her like he had been waiting for this moment for a very long time.
She kissed him back like she didn't want anything else in the world.
Their breaths mingled, their hearts racing, time slipping away unnoticed. When they finally pulled apart, they stayed close, foreheads touching, breathing softly into each other's warmth.
"We really shouldn't be doing this here," she whispered, still catching her breath.
"It's not public," he murmured. "It's just us."
She blushed but didn't move away. Instead, she gently brushed her thumb along his cheek. Aarav's eyes softened instantly.
"Being close to you…" he whispered, "feels like the only peaceful thing in my life right now."
Her heart squeezed. "Aarav…"
He looked at her seriously. "What do you think is going to happen? With us? With everything?"
"I don't know," she whispered honestly. "But I want this. I want you."
He closed his eyes for a moment, overwhelmed. "I want you too. In every way. I want you in my future."
She swallowed. "Aarav… aren't you scared?"
"I'm only scared of losing you."
Her breath trembled. For a moment she couldn't speak. Everything she had been holding in—the deal, the secrets, the fear—flickered in her eyes, but she blinked it away.
"I'm scared too," she admitted. "But being with you… it feels right."
Aarav gently lifted her chin. "Whenever you're ready to tell me what's bothering you… I'll listen. But I won't force you."
Tears almost rose, but she forced a smile. "Thank you. For being… safe."
He kissed her forehead gently. "Always."
They talked for a long time—about dreams, stupid inside jokes, future plans, fears, everything. The world felt smaller and warmer around them.
Eventually Aarav laughed quietly. "We should probably go inside before someone wakes up."
She nodded and took his hand as they walked back to the dorm. They stopped at her door. Aarav leaned closer, whispering, "Goodnight, troublemaker."
She smirked. "Goodnight, idiot."
He chuckled, leaned in, and stole one soft kiss before disappearing into his room.
And she entered hers with a smile she didn't even try to hide.
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