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The next morning, the dorm was unusually alive.
Haniya came down for breakfast with her messy bun, loose hoodie, and that calm expression that almost fooled everyone into believing nothing was going on. Almost.
Harsh was already arranging bowls on the table. Vivaan was complaining about being sleepy. Aarav entered last, hair still wet from a quick shower, eyes automatically searching for one person.
His eyes met hers.
She didn't look away this time.
Kashvi noticed immediately.
"Good morning, couple," she said with a wicked grin.
Haniya sipped her juice. "Good morning, jealous single."
The table burst into laughter.
Harsh clapped dramatically. "Ohhhh! Fire early in the morning!"
"Bro, she didn't even blink," Vivaan added. "Queen energy."
Haniya shrugged. "If you tease me, I'll tease you back. Simple."
Aarav watched her, the corner of his lips lifting. She was glowing, confident, sharp—exactly the girl he fell for.
Breakfast continued with nonstop chatter:
Vivaan: "Tonight we should watch a movie."
Kashvi: "Haniya picks the movie, she has good taste."
Harsh: "No romance movie, please."
Haniya: "Okay then we'll watch a sad emotional breakup movie."
Harsh: "NO—"
Aarav: "Perfect."
Kashvi: "Of course YOU think it's perfect."
Everyone laughed again.
But suddenly, the door opened.
The coach entered.
Silence fell immediately.
He looked unusually serious. "Haniya. Aarav. Come with me. Now."
Everyone exchanged glances.
Harsh whispered, "Uh-oh."
Vivaan muttered, "Someone's getting scolded."
Haniya's stomach twisted, but she stood up calmly. Aarav walked beside her, shoulders straight, eyes alert.
They followed the coach to the empty practice room. He closed the door and turned toward them.
"Sit."
They sat.
The coach exhaled deeply, as if preparing himself. "Is it true that you two are… dating?"
Aarav looked at Haniya.
Haniya looked back.
This was the moment.
Haniya nodded. "Yes… we're dating."
The coach blinked. He blinked again. "You—what—why—how—" He rubbed his forehead. "Do you two not know the company's policy? Dating within the roster is not encouraged."
Aarav tried to speak, but the coach continued, "And Haniya—why did you ignore that reporter yesterday? He posted online that you were rude. It's spreading."
Haniya's heart dropped.
Aarav's fists tightened.
Coach paced, frustrated. "This is getting messy. Rumors, headlines, fans speculating… And now THIS news? The president will not be happy."
The moment he said president, Haniya's breath caught.
Her face stiffened.
Aarav noticed instantly.
"Coach," Aarav said firmly, "It's not just her fault. I was also involved. Whatever punishment there is, share it. She shouldn't be blamed alone."
Haniya glanced at him, surprised, touched.
Coach sighed heavily. "This is beyond my authority now. The head of the label wants to see you both."
"Today?" Haniya asked quietly.
"Today afternoon," he confirmed. "Be prepared. And don't say anything stupid. The president is strict."
Aarav straightened. "We'll handle it."
Coach looked at him sharply. "You better."
The tension in the room felt suffocating for a moment.
But as soon as they stepped out, Aarav gently touched her elbow, stopping her in the hallway.
"You okay?"
She forced a smile. "Yeah. I expected this someday."
He frowned. "But you looked… tense when coach mentioned the president."
Haniya looked away. "It's nothing. I'll manage."
"Haniya," he said softly, "you don't have to hide things from me."
She shook her head. "Later. Not now."
Aarav didn't push her. "Alright. But just know—I'm with you."
She gave a small nod.
They walked back toward the dining area, where all the teammates were waiting with wide eyes like gossip-hungry aunties.
Harsh jumped first. "WHAT DID THE COACH SAY?"
Kashvi leaned closer to Haniya. "Girl, are we getting a new coach tomorrow because you two made him faint?"
Vivaan wiggled his eyebrows. "Did he ask when the wedding is?"
Aarav glared. "Relax. He just wanted to talk."
Haniya crossed her arms. "And you three need to stop behaving like you're in a drama serial."
"But you ARE the drama serial!" Harsh exclaimed.
Kashvi nodded seriously. "Season one: Enemies to teammates. Season two: Secret feelings. Season three: Stolen kisses. Season four—"
"—Coach's meltdown," Vivaan finished.
The group burst into laughter again.
Aarav sat beside Haniya, closer than usual. Their arms brushed.
Harsh smirked. "Look at them. Sitting like magnets."
Haniya replied without hesitation, "Maybe your eyes are just weak."
Everyone: "OOOOOOHHHHHH!"
Aarav almost choked laughing.
He whispered to her, "You're dangerous."
She whispered back, "You started this."
The team went back to their chatting, though the worry about the afternoon meeting lingered under their jokes.
Aarav nudged her gently. "You don't have to be scared of the president, you know."
"I'm not scared," she said.
"You hesitated."
She pressed her lips together, not denying it.
He asked softly, "Is it because of your past? Something with your old team? Or…" His fingers brushed hers. "…or the deal you're hiding?"
Her heart skipped.
She looked away. "Aarav… don't ask right now."
"Fine," he whispered. "But when you're ready… tell me everything."
She nodded slowly.
"Okay."
The team continued laughing and teasing, unaware of the heaviness sitting quietly between Haniya and Aarav.
Coach's voice still echoed in her head:
"You will meet the president."
Her pulse quickened.
She didn't realize her hands had tightened until Aarav gently held one under the table.
Not showing.
Not asking.
Just silently supporting.
And she let him.
For the first time, openly…
she didn't pull her hand away.
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