Morning arrived quietly at the dorm, as if the world itself was trying not to disturb Haniya.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, soft and pale. Haniya woke up slowly, her body still heavy but her mind clearer than it had been in days. For the first time in a while, she didn't wake up with tears pressing behind her eyes. Instead, there was a strange calm—fragile, but real.
She sat up, took a deep breath, and reminded herself that she was safe here.
When she stepped into the dining area, everyone looked up almost at the same time.
Vivaan was the first to grin. "Good morning, superstar."
Harsh nodded. "You look… better."
Kashvi stood up immediately and pulled her into a gentle hug. "We were worried."
Haniya smiled, a real one this time. "I know. Thank you."
Aarav was already seated, a cup of coffee untouched in front of him. The moment their eyes met, something unspoken passed between them—relief, concern, and reassurance all mixed together. He didn't say anything, just gave her a small nod, as if to say I'm here.
Breakfast passed with light conversation. No one teased too much, no one pushed her. It felt protective, like a quiet shield they had formed around her.
Far away, at the airport, Aira stepped out into the humid Indian air.
She removed her sunglasses and scanned the crowd, her lips curving into a determined smile. India hadn't changed—but she had. And this time, she wasn't here to watch from a distance.
Reyansh was waiting near the exit.
"You came fast," he said, folding his arms.
"I couldn't sit in London anymore," Aira replied coolly. "Not when everything is happening here."
Reyansh looked uneasy. "Aira, listen—"
"No," she interrupted. "You listen. I want Aarav."
Reyansh frowned. "He's with Haniya."
"And?" Aira shot back. "People break up. Feelings change."
Ayaan, standing slightly behind them, sighed. "Aira, this isn't like that."
She turned to him sharply. "You promised you'd help me."
"I promised I'd support you," Ayaan corrected. "Not hurt her."
Aira's eyes flashed. "She already has everything. Fame. Love. Family. Why can't this one thing be mine?"
Reyansh's voice hardened. "Because Aarav isn't a thing."
Silence followed.
At the dorm, practice began as usual.
Haniya focused hard, pouring all her emotions into the game. Her movements were sharper today, her calls clearer. Aarav noticed immediately. He stayed close during drills, occasionally brushing past her shoulder, grounding her without drawing attention.
After practice, Haniya wandered into the garden area, drawn by the quiet greenery. She knelt near a row of plants, brushing her fingers over the leaves, breathing in the earthy scent.
Suddenly, arms wrapped around her from behind.
She startled for a second before relaxing completely. "Aarav."
He rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. "Running away again?"
"Just breathing," she replied softly.
He smiled against her hair. "You scared us yesterday."
"I know," she said. "I'm sorry."
He turned her gently so she was facing him. "Don't apologize for feeling."
She looked up at him, eyes shining. "How do you make everything sound so simple?"
"Because with you," he said quietly, "it is."
She laughed softly, leaning into him. For a moment, the world felt normal again.
Across town, Haniya's mother paced the living room, phone pressed tightly to her ear.
"She's pretending she's fine," she told her husband. "I can hear it in her voice."
Her father sighed. "She's strong."
"Yes," her mother said firmly. "But even strong people break."
Back at the dorm, the calm didn't last long.
A message buzzed on Haniya's phone.
Unknown contact.
She didn't need to open it to know.
Aarav noticed her stiffen. "What is it?"
"Aira," Haniya admitted.
He exhaled slowly. "She's here, isn't she?"
Haniya nodded. "I can feel it."
Aarav took her hands. "Whatever she wants, it doesn't change us."
"But she won't stop," Haniya said quietly. "Neither will my brother."
Aarav's gaze softened. "Then we won't either."
That evening, Reyansh sat alone in his car, staring at the dorm building from a distance. He didn't go in. He didn't call. For the first time, he realized how far he had pushed his sister away.
Inside, Aira unpacked her suitcase at the hotel, pulling out a dress she knew Aarav would remember.
She smiled to herself. "Two days," she whispered. "I'll remind him."
Back at the dorm, Haniya stood by the window, watching the sky darken.
Aarav came up behind her, not touching this time, just standing close.
"Whatever happens next," he said softly, "we face it together."
She nodded, leaning back slightly until she felt him there. "Together."
Outside, the night settled in—quiet, tense, and waiting.
Because the next match wasn't the only battle ahead.
And everyone could feel it coming.