---
Even after the long practice session, the adrenaline from the day still lingered between Aarav and Haniya. His teasing words from earlier kept echoing in her mind:
"I'll tell you after practice… how hard I can go."
He had said it with that smug, low voice—half challenge, half flirtation—that always left her heart beating too fast. Now that practice was over, she kept glancing at him, waiting for him to bring it up, but Aarav seemed to be enjoying making her impatient.
Everyone was walking back toward the dorm building together. Kashvi and Vivaan were arguing over who played better today, Harsh was busy humming some tune, and Haniya walked beside Aarav, pretending she wasn't bothered.
Aarav slowed his steps until he and Haniya fell slightly behind the others.
"Why are you walking so fast?" he asked softly.
"I'm not," she muttered, eyes forward.
He smirked. "You are. Are you avoiding me?"
Haniya rolled her eyes. "Why would I avoid you?"
"Because," he leaned closer to her ear, "you're waiting for what I promised."
Her cheeks warmed instantly. She shoved his shoulder lightly. "Shut up."
Aarav grinned. "So you do remember."
"I remember everything you say," she replied without thinking.
He stopped walking for a moment. "Really?"
She froze too. "I mean—some things… not everything…"
His eyes softened with a warmth that made her forget they were still outside. "Good. Because I meant what I said."
Her heart thudded once—hard—but before she could reply, Kashvi turned around.
"Slowpokes! Come on!" she shouted. "We need to go plan dinner!"
Haniya and Aarav exchanged a small smile before catching up with the group.
---
Inside the dorm, everyone scattered—Harsh collapsed on the sofa, Vivaan grabbed water bottles for all of them, and Kashvi stretched like she had just run a marathon.
While the others distracted themselves, Kashvi grabbed Haniya's wrist and pulled her to the side.
"Haniya, we need to go shopping. I swear half my clothes are dying."
Haniya laughed. "You and your drama…"
"No seriously! We're going to have interviews, events, videos—look at us! We're talented but broke-looking!"
Haniya bit back a smile. "Okay, okay. But when?"
Kashvi thought for a second. "Tomorrow evening? After practice?"
"Fine," Haniya nodded. "But only if Aarav agrees—"
"Oh please," Kashvi smirked. "Since when do you need his permission?"
Haniya swatted her arm. "I don't! I just mean… I should tell him."
"Tell him?" Kashvi wiggled her eyebrows. "Or get scolded by him if you go without saying?"
Haniya turned red instantly. "He does not scold me!"
"Sure. And you don't blush every time he looks at you?"
"I don't!"
"Girl, your whole face is a tomato."
Haniya covered her cheeks with both hands, groaning. "Stoppp!"
Kashvi only laughed louder. "I swear, you two are so obvious. And we're all just dying watching you pretend you're subtle."
Haniya's eyebrows pulled together. "We're not obvious."
Kashvi stared at her. "Haniya. Today when he gave you the water bottle? You smiled like he handed you the moon."
Haniya hit her shoulder again, but she was smiling. "Fine, I like him. Happy?"
"Very," Kashvi grinned proudly. "Now about shopping—tomorrow is final. I need new tops or I'll die."
Haniya laughed again and agreed.
---
As dinner approached, the boys finally came out of their rooms. Vivaan took his seat, Harsh brought plates, and the chatter picked up instantly.
The moment Haniya sat beside Aarav, Harsh smirked.
"Oh look, the inseparable duo is here."
Vivaan added, "Yeah, they came back from practice walking like a couple on a date."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "We were literally behind you."
"Exactly," Harsh said. "Behind. Like you wanted privacy."
Haniya choked on her water. "What privacy!? Nothing happened!"
Kashvi smirked. "Yeah, nothing yet."
Haniya glared. "Kashvi!"
The boys burst into laughter. Aarav hid his smile behind his hand, looking like he was enjoying every second of her suffering.
"You guys are impossible," she muttered.
Harsh leaned forward. "Haniya, blink twice if you need us to rescue you from Aarav's flirting."
She blinked rapidly—three times.
Aarav gasped dramatically. "Seriously? Betrayal?"
Haniya tried not to laugh but failed. "They're bullying me!"
Vivaan folded his arms. "We only bully people who are in love."
Silence.
Then all four teammates stared at her with the widest grins.
Haniya froze. "I—what? I didn't—who said—"
Aarav slowly leaned toward her, whispering under his breath, "Relax, they're just teasing."
Her heart fluttered at how gentle his voice suddenly became.
But Harsh interrupted loudly, "AARAV! Tell us what you told her after practice!"
Aarav smirked. "No."
Kashvi narrowed her eyes. "Why!? What did you say?"
Aarav stretched his arms casually. "Private conversation."
Haniya nearly melted at the pride in his tone.
Vivaan groaned. "Ugh, you two are becoming those couples who whisper things in corners."
Haniya slapped her hands on the table. "WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!"
Everyone: "Sure."
Aarav: silent, smiling, shaking his head at their chaos.
He leaned closer again.
"Let them tease. I like it."
Her stomach flipped.
---
Later that night, as the teasing slowly died down, the group relaxed, enjoying food and small jokes.
At one point, Aarav whispered, "By the way, I didn't forget."
Haniya blinked. "Forget what?"
"My promise," he said softly. "You'll hear exactly how hard I can go… later."
Her breath hitched.
"What does that even mean?" she whispered back.
He leaned even closer, eyes locked on hers. "Exactly what you think it means."
Her face burned so fast she had to look away. Aarav chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction.
Vivaan muttered from across the table, "God save us from their secret flirting."
Harsh shook his head. "No secret. We can see everything."
Kashvi added, "And tomorrow, me and Haniya are going shopping. So boys, don't disturb."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "Shopping?"
Haniya nodded. "Yeah… with Kashvi."
He smiled softly. "Go. Have fun."
Just like that, her whole face lit up again.
Kashvi whispered, "The moon, I told you."
Haniya gently kicked her under the table.
---
The night ended with laughter echoing through the dorm, everyone still teasing, still smiling, still full of energy despite exhaustion.
And amid all of it, Aarav leaned back, watching Haniya laugh with the team, and whispered so only she could hear—
"I'm still telling you later. Be ready."
Her breath caught.
And she knew—
the night was far from over.
---