---
The team was ready early in the morning.
Their match was far from the academy, so they had to go by bus.
Everyone looked excited.
Everyone except Haniya, who looked calm… too calm.
Aarav noticed it immediately, but he didn't say anything.
They entered the bus and chose their seats.
Harsh and Vivaan sat together.
Kashvi sat near the window.
Aarav and Haniya took the last seats, obviously forced by everyone's teasing.
The moment the bus started, the boys began their usual gossip.
"So, Haniya, how's your love life going?" Harsh asked loudly.
"Perfect," she replied coolly. "Better than your gameplay these days."
Harsh placed a hand on his chest.
"Wow. That hurt."
Vivaan joined in.
"But seriously, why do you look so fresh today? Something happened last night?"
Haniya smirked.
"Yeah. I slept. Something you two clowns clearly didn't."
Everyone laughed.
Aarav smiled too, proud of her boldness.
After some time, they played songs.
Some were romantic.
Some were emotional.
Some were plain stupid.
Vivaan kept singing loudly.
Harsh kept arguing with him.
Kashvi kept telling both to shut up.
Haniya rolled her eyes.
"Are you two five-year-olds?"
"Yes," both said at the same time.
The bus became a chaos of laughter and jokes.
Haniya replied to every teasing.
Every joke.
Every comment.
She looked confident and fierce again.
Aarav kept watching her with soft eyes.
He leaned closer and whispered:
"You look different today."
She smirked.
"Good different or bad different?"
"Very good," he whispered back.
She looked away, hiding her smile.
---
When everyone fell asleep
After an hour, the whole team except the last row was asleep.
Vivaan's head had fallen on Harsh.
Harsh was kicking in his sleep.
Kashvi slept peacefully with earphones in.
It was quiet.
Aarav shifted slightly closer to Haniya.
"Now tell me," he whispered. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said softly.
"You say that," he replied, "but your eyes tell a different story."
She turned toward him.
"I told you… I'm fine, Aarav."
He didn't push further.
He just touched her hand lightly.
Surprisingly… she didn't pull away.
Instead, she intertwined her fingers with his.
Aarav smiled.
"You're confusing me."
"Good," she whispered.
He leaned a little closer.
Their shoulders touched.
Their hands remained locked together.
Then Haniya whispered, "Aarav…"
"Yes?"
"You're staring."
"Because I want to."
She looked away again, blushing lightly even though she hid it well.
Aarav gently tilted her face back toward him.
"Don't hide."
She breathed slowly.
"You shouldn't make things harder for me."
"Then stop acting like you don't feel anything," he replied softly.
Haniya didn't answer.
She couldn't.
Silence filled the space between them.
After a few long moments, she whispered,
"This is very dangerous."
"For whom?"
"For me."
Aarav brushed his thumb over her hand.
"Then I'll make it safe."
Her heart raced.
She looked down, fighting a smile.
He leaned closer, lips brushing near her ear.
"Can I?" he whispered.
She didn't answer.
But she didn't move away.
So he pressed a soft, slow kiss on her cheek—warm and gentle.
Her breath caught.
His hand tightened around hers.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
"Hmm?"
"That was unfair."
He smiled.
"I'm not trying to play fair."
She rested her head lightly on his shoulder.
He froze for a moment.
Then he relaxed, leaning his head against hers.
They stayed that way until the bus slowed down and voices filled the air again.
---
Arrival — Media Chaos
When they stepped out of the bus, cameras flashed immediately.
Reporters moved forward.
Mics were everywhere.
The team formed a small circle around each other.
Harsh whispered, "Wow, free photoshoot."
Vivaan replied, "Shut up, maintain your face."
They walked toward the entrance.
Reporters kept asking questions.
"How confident are you today?"
"Who will carry the game?"
"Aarav! A word about your strategy?"
Then one reporter stepped forward and asked loudly:
"Haniya, are you and Aarav dating?"
The entire team looked at her.
Aarav's breath stopped for a moment.
Haniya didn't say a word.
She simply turned and walked ahead, ignoring the crowd.
Her expression didn't change.
Her pace didn't slow down.
Aarav followed behind her without a comment.
Vivaan whispered,
"Damn. Savage."
Harsh said,
"Bro she's becoming dangerous."
Kashvi added,
"That reporter is brave. Or stupid."
---
In the Preparation Room
They finally entered the backstage preparation room.
It was quiet.
Cool.
Far from the chaos outside.
The team settled on chairs and sofas.
Harsh stretched.
"I swear these reporters want drama more than match details."
Vivaan nodded.
"They're hungry for gossip. Good thing Haniya ignored them."
Aarav looked at her again.
She was tying her hair, calm as ever.
He walked toward her.
"You okay?"
She glanced at him.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"The question."
"I didn't answer it."
"Why?"
She looked into his eyes.
"Because some things belong to me. Not to the world."
Aarav's heart softened painfully.
He stepped a little closer.
"Haniya…"
She interrupted, raising a brow.
"Focus on the match, Player Aarav."
He chuckled softly.
"Yes, Captain Haniya."
She smiled faintly and turned to join the others.
And for the first time in days…
Aarav felt a warm hope settle in his chest.
---