---
Aarav gently took the shopping bag from Haniya's hands, his eyes softening as he looked inside.
A black jacket.
A grey sweater.
New wristbands.
He touched the fabric slowly, as if it meant more than just clothes.
And it did.
He looked up at her.
"You… bought all this for me?"
Haniya shrugged lightly. "Just… thought you'd like them."
Aarav's voice dropped to something warm, almost vulnerable.
"I love them. And… thank you."
She smiled a little, but her heartbeat was loud enough that she wondered if he could hear it.
Aarav placed the bag on the table beside him. When he turned back, his eyes were different—deeper, something intense but gentle.
It made her breath hitch.
"Haniya," he said quietly, "do you remember what I said earlier?"
She blinked. "Which thing?"
"The promise."
His voice felt like it brushed her skin.
She stepped closer. "…What are you going to do?"
Aarav didn't touch her yet. He just looked into her eyes—seeking permission, seeking her.
"Can I?" he whispered.
She took a breath.
Understood the meaning.
And replied softly,
"You don't need to ask for it."
Something inside him snapped—like he'd been waiting exactly for those words.
Aarav lifted a hand and cupped her cheek slowly, giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
Instead, she leaned into his touch.
And he kissed her.
Not rushed.
Not greedy.
But deep, warm, steady—like he'd been holding this feeling for too long.
Haniya's fingers curled into the front of his shirt, pulling him closer without thinking. The kiss softened, then deepened again as they moved in sync.
Aarav inhaled sharply against her lips.
"You're… unbelievable," he murmured.
She smiled against his mouth and kissed him again, this time slower, longer. His hands slid to her waist, gently drawing her closer. Their foreheads touched between kisses, breaths mingling, warmth rising between them.
He kissed her cheeks.
Her forehead.
Her jaw.
Soft, reverent touches that made her heart twist.
"Aarav…" she whispered breathlessly.
"Yeah…?" he whispered back, lips still brushing hers.
"Don't stop."
He didn't.
Their kisses became sweeter, more lingering, full of affection instead of hurry. He held her like she was fragile, like she mattered. She kissed him like she'd forgotten all the weight she carried, all the fears she had.
Her fingers traced the back of his neck.
His thumb brushed her lower lip once, gently, before kissing her again.
Minutes felt like hours and seconds at the same time.
Eventually, she rested her head on his chest, still catching her breath. His arms wrapped around her instinctively.
"No matter what happens," he said softly into her hair,
"I'm here."
She squeezed him tighter.
"I know."
They stayed like that—talking quietly, kissing softly, holding each other until late into the night.
And for the first time in a long time, Haniya fell asleep with a smile.
---
THE NEXT MORNING
Harsh and Vivaan were already at the table when she walked out of her room.
Both of them froze mid-bite.
Vivaan blinked.
Then blinked again.
Harsh slowly lowered his spoon.
"Bro…" Vivaan whispered dramatically.
"Is it just me—or is Haniya literally glowing today?"
Harsh nodded like a doctor giving a diagnosis.
"She is glowing. Like actual sunlight. Something happened."
Haniya sat down calmly.
"Good morning to both idiots."
Harsh leaned forward. "Did you use a new face wash or did someone make you very… happy last night?"
Her eyebrow lifted. "Harsh, you need to get a life."
Vivaan gasped. "The savageness! Aarav's influence detected!"
Harsh looked around.
"Wait—where is loverboy?"
Aarav entered the dining area exactly at that moment.
Vivaan smirked.
"Morning, loverbo—"
Aarav glared. Vivaan immediately changed track.
"—I mean, morning, team captain! Sir!"
Harsh whispered loudly,
"They're glowing together. I swear they synced overnight."
Haniya threw a piece of bread at him.
Vivaan fanned himself.
"Violence! She's strong today."
Haniya crossed her arms.
"Maybe you both are just weak."
Harsh gasped.
"Aarav, control your girlfriend!"
Aarav took a sip of juice, completely unbothered.
"She's right. They are weak."
"BRO!" Harsh and Vivaan shouted together.
Kashvi walked in, saw the chaos, sighed, and sat down.
"What happened now?"
Haniya pointed at the two clowns.
"Your brothers."
Kashvi nodded. "Understandable."
Harsh leaned toward Vivaan and whispered (not quietly),
"Look at her confidence. Something DEFINITELY happened last night."
Aarav choked on his juice.
Haniya kicked Harsh under the table.
He yelped.
"Ow! Abuse!"
"No," Haniya said sweetly, "karma."
Vivaan started laughing so hard he dropped his spoon.
Aarav watched her with a small, growing smile he couldn't hide.
Her glow.
Her confidence.
Her little smirks.
He knew exactly why she was glowing.
And she knew he knew.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
Just one second.
And that was enough to make her heartbeat skip again.
---