Reyansh was already waiting at the café when Haniya arrived. He stood near the window, arms crossed, jaw tight. The moment he saw her, his expression hardened further.
"So now you have time?" he snapped.
Haniya didn't sit. She stayed standing, hands clenched. "I told you to meet because I'm done being silent."
Reyansh scoffed. "Being silent? You've embarrassed the family, Haniya. Media, rumors, the team—do you have any idea what people are saying?"
"I don't care what people are saying," she shot back. "I care about what you are doing. You went behind my back and talked to the coach."
"I did what was necessary," Reyansh replied sharply. "That boy—Aarav—"
"Don't," she interrupted. "Don't you dare talk about him like that."
Reyansh stepped closer. "You're choosing him over your own family?"
Haniya laughed bitterly. "No. I'm choosing myself."
The argument escalated quickly. Voices rose. Emotions spilled without control.
"You promised Ayaan," Reyansh reminded her. "You said you'd give Aarav to his sister. That's why he helped you."
Her eyes filled with tears. "I tried. I really did. But I can't sacrifice my heart like it's a deal."
Reyansh grabbed her wrist in frustration, his voice low and furious.
"Do whatever you want now. You're nothing to me anymore."
Haniya froze.
She pulled her hand free, shock written across her face. "You don't mean that."
But Reyansh had already turned away.
What neither of them noticed was a phone raised a few steps away. A fan—someone who recognized her—had recorded the moment. Only that moment. The grip. The words. Nothing else.
Within minutes, the video was online.
By the time Haniya reached the dorm gates, her phone was exploding with notifications. She didn't even look.
Inside, the team was already whispering.
"Is that her boyfriend?"
"Did you see the way he held her hand?"
"That argument looked serious."
The coach was waiting.
"What is this nonsense?" he shouted, throwing his phone on the table. "Another scandal? First reporters, now public fights?"
Haniya stood silently.
"Do you think this team is a joke?" the coach continued angrily. "Your personal drama is ruining everything."
She finally spoke, her voice calm but empty. "It's fine. I'll manage."
The coach stared at her in disbelief. "Wow. So much attitude."
He muttered under his breath, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Money, power, no discipline."
That was it.
Vivaan stepped forward. "Sir, you can't talk about her like that."
Harsh nodded. "You don't even know the full story."
The coach snapped, "Stay out of this."
Aarav had been silent till now. His fists were clenched.
"You don't get to judge her," he said firmly. "Not like this."
The coach turned on him. "And you? You think you're special?"
Aarav stepped closer. "I think you're crossing a line."
Tension filled the room.
Haniya walked past them all without another word. She didn't cry. She didn't explain.
But when she closed her room door behind her, the silence finally broke her.
She slid down to the floor, hugging her knees, tears falling freely.
Outside, Aarav stood helpless, staring at the door—realizing that this time, the damage wasn't small.
And the worst part?
The world now believed a lie she hadn't even been given a chance to explain.