---
The bus ride back to the dorm was loud at first.
Everyone was celebrating the win.
Harsh was shouting.
Vivaan was singing horribly.
Kashvi was laughing nonstop.
Aarav sat near the window.
Haniya sat beside him, tired but happy.
Vivaan yelled,
"OUR JUNGLE QUEEN! GIVE US A SPEECH!"
Haniya rolled her eyes,
"My speech is: shut up and sleep."
Everyone laughed.
Harsh clapped loudly,
"That's our savage Haniya!"
Slowly, one by one, they all fell asleep.
Harsh knocked out first.
Vivaan snored like a tractor.
Kashvi curled up against the window, headphones on.
Soon the whole bus was silent.
Except Aarav and Haniya.
---
Late-night Bus Silence
Haniya leaned her head on Aarav's chest.
His arm naturally wrapped around her shoulders.
Aarav looked down at her quietly.
For a moment he didn't speak.
Then in a low voice, he asked,
"Haniya… are you really serious about us?"
She opened her eyes.
"Why are you asking this now?"
"Because," he whispered,
"You never say it. You never give clear answers. Not even to me."
She frowned slightly,
"Say what?"
He stared at her for a long second.
"That you love me," he said softly.
Haniya's breath froze.
Her eyes widened just a little.
Aarav continued,
"You know how I feel about you. I don't hide it. But you… you still avoid answering directly. Even today, with that reporter, you didn't say anything. I just… want to know where I stand."
Haniya looked down at his chest, tracing the lines of his jacket with her finger.
"Aarav… it's not because I don't feel anything," she said softly.
"Then what is it?" he asked gently.
She sighed.
"It's not the world. I don't care about the world. I just… I don't want to say big words and then become weak. I don't want to depend on anyone."
Aarav's hand brushed her hair softly.
"Haniya… loving someone doesn't make you weak."
She stayed quiet.
He leaned closer, his voice even softer,
"Be honest with me. If you don't feel the same, I'll… I'll accept it. But I can't keep guessing."
She finally looked up.
Into his eyes.
Straight. Clear. Not running away.
"You really want the truth?" she whispered.
"I do," Aarav replied.
---
The Words She Never Said Before
Haniya inhaled deeply.
Her heartbeat felt loud—maybe louder than the bus engine.
Then she said slowly, clearly,
"Aarav… I love you."
Aarav froze.
He blinked.
Haniya continued,
"I didn't want to say it unless I was completely sure. Unless I understood myself. But now… I am sure."
Aarav still wasn't moving.
Just staring.
She smiled softly,
"Say something…"
He finally breathed out,
"Oh thank god… I thought I was the only one going crazy."
She laughed quietly.
He cupped her cheek gently,
"Say it again."
She rolled her eyes but whispered,
"I love you."
He kissed her forehead.
"Once more."
She pushed him lightly,
"You're annoying."
"Still waiting," he teased.
She leaned in closer until her lips brushed his ear,
"I. Love. You."
Aarav's entire face softened.
He pulled her closer and kissed her.
Not rushed.
Not desperate.
A slow, warm kiss that tasted like relief… and finally belonging.
His hand slid behind her back.
Her fingers curled into his shirt.
The kiss deepened, soft and breathless.
When they pulled away, both were smiling.
Aarav whispered,
"Now you're mine."
She raised a brow,
"I was always mine first."
He chuckled,
"Yeah… and now you're mine second."
She hit his shoulder lightly.
"Don't get too confident."
He whispered against her lips,
"Not confident. Just in love."
She kissed him again—brief but soft.
Then she rested on his chest again, peaceful.
---
Arrival at the Dorm
The bus stopped.
Everyone woke up slowly.
Vivaan yawned loudly,
"WHO WON THE MATCH? I FORGOT!"
Harsh threw a water bottle at him,
"We did, idiot."
Kashvi stretched,
"I swear my back is broken."
Aarav and Haniya got off the bus together.
Their hands brushed accidentally.
Vivaan saw it.
"OOOH? Did you two enjoy the night bus romance?" he teased loudly.
Haniya didn't shy away.
She smirked,
"Yeah. You were snoring so loudly we kissed to block the noise."
Harsh choked on air.
Kashvi gasped,
"HANIYA!? SAVAGE."
Aarav smirked proudly.
Vivaan clutched his chest dramatically,
"I have been insulted by my own teammate."
Haniya walked past him,
"It's called talent. You won't understand."
Everyone burst out laughing.
---
Inside the Dorm
They dropped their bags and gathered in the living room.
Harsh asked,
"So, celebratory snacks?"
Vivaan said,
"I'm hungry enough to eat the snacks and the packet."
Kashvi shook her head,
"He means everything."
Aarav sat down on the couch.
Haniya sat beside him—closer than usual.
Vivaan's eyes widened,
"Ohooo! So comfortable today?"
Haniya didn't move away.
She folded her arms and replied,
"If you don't like it, look somewhere else."
Vivaan dramatically looked at the ceiling,
"Okay. I see nothing. I hear nothing."
Harsh leaned forward,
"Haniya… something changed. You look… glowing."
She shrugged,
"Winning the match gives confidence."
Aarav looked at her with a hidden smile.
Kashvi whispered to Aarav,
"What did you do to her in that bus?"
Aarav replied calmly,
"Nothing. She did everything."
Haniya turned and kicked his leg lightly.
"Stop lying."
The team howled with laughter.
---
Things Unspoken
After everyone went to their rooms, Haniya stood in the hallway.
Aarav came behind her.
"Goodnight," he said softly.
She looked up at him.
"Goodnight."
He leaned closer.
"Say it one more time."
She frowned,
"What?"
"You know what," he whispered.
She sighed dramatically,
"You're unbelievable."
But she whispered anyway,
"I love you."
Aarav's eyes softened instantly.
He kissed her forehead and murmured,
"I love you more."
She went to her room with a small smile.
But as she closed the door…
her expression shifted slightly.
The deal still lingered in her mind.
But tonight—
she chose love.
---