--
The energy in the gaming arena was electric. Their victory in the third round was unbelievable — the kind of win that people would talk about for weeks. The moment the words "VICTORY" flashed on the giant screen, the entire stadium erupted.
Haniya dropped her headphones, breathless, chest rising and falling.
Aarav turned instantly toward her, eyes wide, face glowing with relief and pride.
"We did it," he whispered.
"We really did," she replied, trying to stop her voice from cracking.
The team gathered around them — Kashvi cheering, Harsh yelling, Vivaan pretending to faint dramatically on the floor.
But right under all the noise, something pulsed quietly between Aarav and Haniya… something warm. Something dangerous. Something they both were trying not to name.
They returned to the dorms exhausted but buzzing. After the celebration, everyone drifted back to their rooms — except Haniya.
Her chest felt too full, too crowded with joy and fear and a strange ache she didn't know how to name. She stepped onto the balcony alone, letting the cool breeze settle her racing thoughts.
What was she even doing?
Winning matches, lying to Aarav, falling for him…
She wasn't supposed to. The deal wasn't supposed to get messy. But her heart wasn't listening anymore.
Behind her, the sliding door opened softly.
Aarav stepped out.
He didn't say anything at first — just stood beside her, eyes fixed on the distant lights of the city.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, but her throat tightened.
He watched her for a moment longer, then smiled faintly.
"We didn't get our victory kiss."
She blinked at him. "V-victory… what?"
He moved closer, his voice dipping low.
"It's mandatory. For us."
The air stilled.
Aarav reached up gently, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek — not rushed, not bold, just achingly soft. His thumb lingered at her jaw as if he were asking without words.
"Haniya…"
He whispered her name like something fragile.
Her pulse thundered.
Her breath shortened.
She didn't step away.
That was all he needed.
Aarav leaned in.
Their lips touched — warm, soft, careful.
A small breath escaped her, and he kissed her again, deeper this time, letting himself feel every second he had been holding back.
She gripped his shirt helplessly, her body leaning into his as though drawn by gravity. His fingers slid to her waist, steadying her gently as the kiss deepened — slow, melting, impossibly tender.
The world blurred.
Her knees weakened.
His heartbeat pounded against her palms.
Their lips met again and again — long, unhurried, full of every emotion they had tried to bury.
When they finally broke apart, breathless, he rested his forehead against hers.
"That…" he whispered, voice rough, "was our victory kiss."
Her chest tightened painfully.
"And what does that mean?" she breathed.
He opened his eyes slowly.
"It means… you're already mine, even if you haven't said it yet."
Before she could speak, he kissed her again — softer, slower — then pulled her into his chest, letting her breathe against his heartbeat.
For a moment, she forgot the deal.
Forgot the lies.
Forgot everything except the warmth in his arms.
---
Later, in the hallway…
The team didn't know why Haniya and Aarav looked different.
Why their smiles seemed softer.
Why their eyes found each other on their own.
Harsh squinted.
Vivaan whispered, "They're glowing. Bro… THEY DID SOMETHING."
Haniya didn't blush.
She just looked at them with a savage smirk.
"You two have a problem?" she asked calmly.
Both boys froze.
"No, ma'am," Vivaan said instantly.
Aarav hid his laugh.
That night, the team slept peacefully — except the two who couldn't stop thinking about the balcony.
---
In the quiet darkness, Haniya lay in her bed, replaying every touch, every breath, every kiss. But beneath the warmth… a cold thought slipped in.
The deal.
What am I going to do?
How long can I hide this from him?
Her phone buzzed.
Aarav: May I come in?
Her heart jumped.
Haniya: For what?
Aarav: I didn't finish what I wanted to say.
A soft knock followed.
She opened the door.
Before she could speak, he stepped inside, gently cupped her cheek, and pulled her into a deep, breathtaking kiss — long, slow, intense enough to make her forget every doubt and drown in him again.
His hand slid up to the back of her neck, guiding her closer. Her fingers curled into his shirt as her breath mixed with his. Every kiss grew deeper, slower, more consuming — like he wanted to memorize her.
By the time he finally broke the kiss, her legs were weak.
"Haniya…" he whispered, voice low and full of emotion, "don't run from this."
She didn't answer.
Because with his arms around her, she wasn't sure she could.