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Miles away, in a quiet apartment lit only by the glow of a television screen, Ayaan sat still, eyes fixed on the match replay. He had watched it live, every second of it, but he played it again anyway. His gaze followed Haniya's movements on the screen—her focus, her confidence, the way she smiled after the victory.
"She's strong again," he murmured to himself.
There was pride in his eyes, but also something heavier. Regret. Concern. And fear that he might already be too late.
When the broadcast ended, he leaned back, exhaling slowly. Aarav's presence beside her hadn't gone unnoticed. The way Aarav stood close, the way Haniya leaned into him without hesitation—it told Ayaan everything he didn't want to admit.
Back in India, the Rangers were returning to the dorm after dinner. The street lights passed in soft blurs outside the bus windows. Haniya had insisted on paying for dinner again, calmly handing over her black card like it was nothing.
Vivaan had nearly fallen off his chair.
"Do you even know how illegal it feels to sit with you?" he joked.
Harsh laughed. "She pays like she's buying candy."
Kashvi smiled. "At this point, nothing about her surprises me."
Haniya shrugged. "You guys eat too much. I'm just protecting my peace."
As they boarded the bus, laughter still echoed. Haniya sat beside Aarav, her shoulder brushing his arm. He glanced at her, eyes soft.
"You didn't have to pay," he said quietly.
She smiled. "I wanted to."
The bus started moving. Vivaan and Harsh sat a few seats ahead, whispering loudly on purpose.
"Black card girl plus star player," Vivaan said. "Power couple."
"Not official," Harsh added teasingly.
Haniya leaned forward slightly. "You both want to walk back?"
They laughed and finally shut up.
As the road stretched on, the bus grew quieter. Kashvi rested her head against the window. Vivaan's voice faded into soft snores. Harsh wasn't far behind.
Haniya shifted slightly and rested her head against Aarav's chest. He stiffened for half a second, then relaxed, his hand gently resting on her arm.
"Tired?" he whispered.
She nodded, eyes already closing. "A little."
He lowered his chin, resting it lightly against her hair. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulled her into sleep. Aarav stayed still, afraid that even breathing too deeply might wake her.
When the bus finally stopped at the dorm, Aarav carefully lifted her into his arms. She stirred slightly, fingers clutching his shirt.
"I'm here," he whispered.
She relaxed again.
Vivaan, half-asleep, opened one eye. "Bro… if you drop her, I'll never forgive you."
"Shut up," Aarav replied softly.
He carried her inside, ignoring the teasing smiles. He took her to her room, laid her gently on the bed, and covered her with a blanket. She murmured something unintelligible, turning slightly toward him.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching her breathe, watching the calm on her face. He brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
"You don't know how strong you are," he whispered.
Then he quietly left the room and went to his own, closing the door behind him.
That same night, Haniya stirred briefly in her sleep. Her phone buzzed softly beside her. A message notification lit up the screen.
From Ayaan.
She didn't open it.
But somewhere far away, Ayaan stared at his phone, the unread message staring back at him, knowing that the distance between them wasn't just physical anymore.
And back in the dorm, beneath the same quiet night, two hearts rested—one healing, one watching, and one still waiting in silence.