The room stayed quiet long after Haniya finished speaking. The truth she had shared hung in the air—heavy, raw, and impossible to ignore. No one knew what to say immediately, because nothing felt big enough to respond to what she had just revealed.
Aarav was the first to break the silence.
"So that's why your brother doesn't like me," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. "He thinks I'm the reason you broke your promise."
Haniya nodded slowly. "He thinks you're the reason I changed. That I went back on my word."
Vivaan leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "That promise itself was unfair. You were never something to be 'given' to someone."
Harsh agreed immediately. "Yeah. That's messed up. No offense, but your brother's best friend had no right to put that condition on you."
"I know," Haniya whispered. "But at that time, I felt powerless. Gaming was the only thing I had left, and I needed a way back."
Kashvi squeezed her hand. "You were trying to survive. That doesn't make you wrong."
Aarav looked at Haniya carefully. His eyes weren't angry—but they were full of conflict. "And Ayaan," he said. "He knows you and I are together now?"
"Yes," she replied. "He warned me not to fall in love with you again. I lied and said I could control it."
Aarav exhaled slowly. "And Reyansh?"
"He thinks I betrayed both of them," she said bitterly. "Him and Ayaan."
Vivaan frowned. "But he's your brother. Doesn't he see how much you're hurting?"
"He does," Haniya replied. "That's why he's angry. He thinks he's protecting me—even if it means hurting me."
Her phone buzzed again. Ayaan. Still calling.
Harsh glanced at the screen. "He's not giving up, is he?"
"No," she said. "He never does."
Aarav gently took the phone from her hand and placed it on the table, screen down. "You don't have to answer tonight."
She looked at him, surprised. "Aarav—"
"You've been breaking apart for days," he said softly. "Whatever comes next, you don't have to face it exhausted and alone."
That was enough. Tears welled up again, but this time she didn't fight them.
"I never wanted to hurt anyone," she said. "Not you. Not them."
Aarav moved closer, resting his forehead lightly against hers. "I know."
Vivaan suddenly cleared his throat, deliberately loud. "Okay, before this turns into a full emotional breakdown, let's be clear about something."
Everyone looked at him.
"We're a team," he said. "On screen and off screen. If rumors are coming, we face them together. If pressure comes, same rule."
Harsh nodded. "And if anyone thinks they can mess with one of us—especially Haniya—they answer to all of us."
Kashvi smiled faintly. "Including savage replies."
That earned a small laugh from Haniya—the first genuine one in days.
Aarav stood up slowly. "You should rest. You haven't eaten properly, and tomorrow won't be easy."
She hesitated. "What about you?"
"I'll be right here," he replied. "Always."
They all left her room one by one, giving her space. Aarav was the last to go. Before leaving, he paused at the door.
"Haniya," he said.
She looked up.
"No promises you made in pain matter more than what you choose now," he said firmly. "Remember that."
After he left, she lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed again—but this time, it wasn't Ayaan.
A message from Reyansh.
She didn't open it.
Instead, she turned the phone off completely.
For the first time in a long while, Haniya made a silent decision—not out of fear, not out of obligation—but out of clarity.
Whatever storm was coming next, she would face it honestly.
And she would no longer let anyone else decide her life for her.