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Aarav leaned closer to her, his voice low enough that only she could hear over the music and the buzzing guests.
"So," he murmured, eyes dark with teasing, "are you going to keep staring at me like that… or are you planning to kiss me again?"
Haniya rolled her eyes but her smile betrayed her. "Who said I was staring?"
"You," he whispered, stepping closer, "your eyes said it."
She lightly shoved his chest, laughing. "Shut up, Aarav."
He caught her hand before she could pull it back. "You shut up. You look beautiful tonight."
Her breath hitched. "You already told me that."
"I'll tell you a hundred more times," he said, brushing his thumb over her knuckles, "until you finally believe me."
Her cheeks warmed, and she leaned into him just a little. "If you keep talking like that, I might actually kiss you again."
"Oh?" Aarav smirked. "Do it then."
She glared playfully. "Not here."
"Then at least give me a promise for later," he whispered, bending closer.
Haniya's lips curved. "Maybe."
"Maybe is not an answer—"
But he didn't get to finish.
Because suddenly…
A hand grabbed her wrist from behind.
Aarav immediately went tense. He turned, ready to pull her back—
And Haniya froze.
Her world stopped.
Her breath left her lungs.
Because the person holding her wrist was someone she never expected to see here.
"Ayaan…" she whispered.
Aarav's eyes narrowed. "Who is he?"
Ayaan gave a calm, polite nod at Aarav, but his eyes were already fixed on Haniya, reading her reaction instantly—like he always did.
"Haniya," he said softly, "finally."
Her chest tightened.
Because this wasn't just a friend.
He was the one who helped her secretly.
The one who protected her when she ran away from everything.
The one who fought for her return to the gaming circuit.
The one she owed everything to.
The one she had made a painful, stupid, impossible promise to…
That she would give Aarav to his sister.
And standing this close to Aarav, feeling how safe she felt with him, how deeply she loved him… that promise stabbed her right in the heart.
Aarav stepped close to her, lowering his voice. "Haniya… you're shaking. Are you okay?"
She shook her head, unable to answer.
Before anyone could speak again—
"AYAAAN!"
Reyansh stormed toward them, face lighting up with disbelief and joy.
He hugged Ayaan tightly. "Dude, you came! Finally!"
They hit each other on the back like brothers reunited after years.
Haniya watched with dread growing in her stomach.
Of course Reyansh was thrilled.
Of course Reyansh trusted him.
Of course Reyansh would push the same thing again—
Reyansh turned to her sharply.
"Haniya. Come here."
Her legs felt heavy as she walked toward him. Aarav stayed close behind her, silent but protective.
Reyansh placed a hand on her shoulder. "We need to talk."
Ayaan looked uneasy, but he didn't interfere.
Haniya swallowed. "What… what is it?"
Reyansh's voice dropped low. "I already told you, Haniya. I chose Ayaan for you."
Aarav stiffened beside her.
Her heart sank.
Here it was again.
The same pressure.
The same expectation.
The same push she had run away from.
"You promised me," Reyansh continued. "Remember? You said yes."
Her throat closed.
She had said yes.
But she wasn't in love back then.
She wasn't even herself back then.
And she definitely didn't know Aarav would come into her life like this.
Tears pricked her eyes.
Ayaan finally spoke, gently. "Reyansh… maybe this isn't the right—"
"No," Reyansh cut him off. "She needs to hear it."
Ayaan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't angry.
He wasn't forceful.
He was simply… sad.
Because he knew.
He knew she had fallen for someone else.
"Haniya," Reyansh said, voice firm, "Ayaan loves you. He came back for you. He's the best option. You cannot ruin your future over—"
She stepped back, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I can't do this," she said, voice shaking.
Reyansh's jaw tightened. "You have to."
"I DON'T!" she burst out, voice breaking. "I don't love him like that!"
A moment of stunned silence fell.
Even Ayaan blinked slowly, something soft breaking in his eyes. But he didn't get angry.
Instead, he whispered, "You could've told me earlier."
Her chest hurt. "I'm sorry. I just… I didn't know how."
Reyansh ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Haniya—"
She didn't wait.
She didn't want to hear more.
She turned and walked away fast, her vision blurring.
Aarav called after her, but she couldn't answer.
She couldn't breathe.
She ran straight to her room, slammed the door behind her, and finally—
Finally let herself cry.
Crying loudly, shoulders shaking, breaking down completely.
Because Ayaan wasn't the villain.
Her brother wasn't the villain.
The real villain was her own promise.
A promise she made before she ever knew what true love felt like.
And now…
it was tearing her apart.