The garden lights flickered softly as night settled in, casting long shadows over the quiet paths. Aarav still stood close to Haniya, his arms loose around her waist, as if he was afraid that if he let go, the world would pull her away again.
He tilted his head slightly, voice low and teasing. "You know… I took very good care of you these past few days."
Haniya raised an eyebrow, pretending not to understand. "Oh?"
"Yes," he said seriously, then softened into a smile. "Stayed awake, worried, protected you from nonsense. Don't you think I deserve some kind of reward?"
She looked at him from the corner of her eyes, lips twitching. "And what kind of reward are we talking about, Mr. Ranger?"
Aarav leaned closer, his forehead touching hers. "I think you already know."
Her cheeks warmed. She turned her face away for a second, as if thinking, then suddenly leaned in and pressed her lips to his. It wasn't rushed. It was slow, warm, full of unspoken relief. Aarav responded immediately, one hand sliding up to cup her face, thumb brushing gently against her cheek as if memorizing the moment.
When they pulled apart, barely an inch away, he smiled. "That was worth everything."
Before she could reply, a familiar voice echoed behind them.
"Oops. My bad."
They both froze.
Vivaan stood there, hands raised dramatically. "I swear I didn't see anything. Please continue. I'll just… disappear."
Haniya burst out laughing, hiding her face against Aarav's chest. Aarav shook his head. "You have zero shame."
Vivaan grinned. "That left my body when I joined this team."
He walked away still chuckling, muttering about "young love" loud enough for them to hear. Haniya laughed again, the sound lighter than it had been in days.
Aarav brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "See? Even interruptions can't stop us."
She smiled up at him. "I don't want anything to."
Across the city, in a quiet apartment, the mood was far from light.
Aira paced the room, heels clicking sharply against the floor. Ayaan sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, while Reyansh stood near the window, arms folded tightly.
"I won't accept this," Aira said firmly. "He's not just some boy she met recently. Aarav and I have history."
Reyansh turned. "So does Haniya. More than you know."
"And that's exactly why I'm here," Aira snapped. "She always gets everything without trying."
Ayaan finally spoke. "Aira, listen to yourself. Aarav isn't a prize. He's a person."
She stopped pacing and looked at him sharply. "Then why does everyone act like Haniya owns him?"
Reyansh's voice dropped. "Because he chose her."
Silence fell.
Aira laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. "Choice can change."
Ayaan shook his head. "You're walking into a fire you don't understand."
She picked up her phone. "When is their next match?"
Reyansh hesitated. "Two days."
Her eyes gleamed. "Good. I'll give Aarav a surprise then."
Back at the dorm, Haniya and Aarav eventually returned inside. The others were scattered around the common area, half watching something on TV, half arguing.
Vivaan smirked the moment he saw them. "Wow. Both smiling. Garden therapy works wonders."
Harsh nodded. "Confirmed. Plants fix heartbreak."
Kashvi watched Haniya closely. "You okay for real?"
Haniya nodded, sitting beside her. "Yeah. I think I am."
Aarav dropped into the seat next to her, their shoulders touching naturally. No hiding. No hesitation.
As the night grew deeper, Haniya rested her head briefly against Aarav's shoulder. He glanced down at her, fingers lacing with hers under the table.
Whatever was coming—Aira, the matches, the tension—they would face it together.
But somewhere, a storm was quietly gathering.
And this time, it was personal.