---
Everyone was still laughing when the cafeteria door opened.
The coach stood there with his arms crossed.
Expression: already irritated.
"Are you all done discussing astrology, romance, and glowing faces?" he asked dryly.
Everyone went silent.
"Good," he continued. "Then get up. Practice. Now."
Aarav stood first.
Haniya followed.
Vivaan and Harsh dragged themselves like they were heading to war.
---
AT THE PRACTICE ROOM
Warm-up started.
Stretches.
Hand exercises.
Quick reflex drills.
During break, Haniya sat by the table drinking water. Aarav walked over casually, leaning close enough that she felt his breath near her ear.
"So…" he said quietly, "do you want to talk about last night?"
She froze for half a second but hid it with a small smile.
"What about it?"
Aarav tilted his head.
"You were… surprisingly good."
Haniya lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh? Surprisingly?"
"I mean," he smirked, "I knew you'd be good. But not that good."
She looked away just to catch her breath.
"What about you? Acting all innocent and soft and then—"
Aarav leaned in closer.
"And then what?"
She bit her lip.
"You know what."
He chuckled.
"I know. But I want you to say it."
Haniya shook her head.
"You're too much."
He touched her chin lightly and whispered,
"Last night… I didn't want to stop."
Her heartbeat jumped.
"Me neither," she whispered back.
"Then say it," he teased softly.
She looked at him with her usual calm expression and said,
"You were too good last night."
Aarav blinked.
Then his smirk grew slow and dangerous.
"I know."
She hit his arm lightly.
"Stop being cocky."
"Can't help it," he said, "you make me this way."
Before she could reply, Vivaan's voice came from across the room—
"YOU TWO! STOP FLIRTING AND COME BACK!"
They both turned.
Vivaan pointed at them dramatically.
"I swear if coach sees you two whispering again, he'll make us run laps."
Harsh added, "At this point, he might make us swim laps without a pool."
Aarav rolled his eyes.
"Relax, we're coming."
Haniya smirked.
"Jealous?"
Harsh placed a hand on his chest.
"Yes. Very. Where is my romance?"
Kashvi patted his head.
"Not here."
---
SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
They got back into the game.
Aarav took position.
Haniya locked in her role.
Vivaan and Harsh got ready.
Everything was fine until—
Vivaan shouted, "Aarav, stop looking at her and LOOK AT THE MAP!"
Aarav glared.
"I am looking at the map."
Haniya snorted.
"No, you're not."
Harsh yelled, "Haniya distracted the captain! COACH, HELP!"
Coach entered right on cue.
And exploded.
"WHY ARE YOU ALL MAKING NOISE LIKE A MARKETPLACE?!"
Everyone froze.
Coach pointed at them one by one.
"You—stop flirting." (Aarav.)
"You—stop teasing." (Vivaan.)
"You—stop screaming." (Harsh.)
"You—stop laughing." (Kashvi.)
"And YOU—" he said, turning to Haniya.
She swallowed.
"You're doing fine. But stop smiling so much. It's suspicious."
Aarav choked.
Haniya stared at the floor.
"BACK TO PRACTICE!" coach barked.
They all obeyed instantly.
---
AFTER PRACTICE
Everyone packed up slowly.
Haniya tied her hair, putting her bag over her shoulder.
Aarav walked beside her.
"Hey," he said softly, "don't mind coach."
She shrugged. "I didn't."
They walked to the hallway together.
Aarav nudged her shoulder.
"You know… you look different today."
"How?" she asked.
"Calmer," he said. "Happy. Like last night took something heavy off your chest."
She didn't deny it.
Then she asked, "And you?"
"Me?"
"Yes. You also look… different."
Aarav smiled faintly.
"Because last night I realized something."
She stopped walking.
"What?"
He faced her.
"That you're not just someone I like. You're someone I want to keep."
Her breath caught.
"Aarav…"
He moved a little closer.
"I know things are messy. Complicated. Scary sometimes. But whatever it is… deal, team, media, anything—let me handle it with you."
Haniya looked down for a moment, then back at him.
"I'm not perfect, Aarav."
"I never asked for perfect."
She exhaled softly.
"You're too good to me."
He touched her hand lightly.
"And you're too stubborn to accept that."
She smiled.
"Maybe."
He leaned in just a little—close enough to touch her forehead with his.
"Tonight," he whispered, "no worries. Come talk to me again. Like last night."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Talk?"
He smirked.
"Talking. Kissing. Whatever happens."
She rolled her eyes but her lips curved.
"We'll see."
Aarav chuckled.
"Oh, we'll see."
Vivaan shouted from down the hall—
"LOVE BIRDS! COME DOWN! I'M HUNGRY!"
Aarav groaned.
Haniya laughed softly.
She started walking away, turning back just once.
"Aarav?"
"Yeah?"
"Last night… wasn't a mistake."
His smile softened completely.
"Good," he said.
"Because I wasn't planning to forget it."
Haniya felt her cheeks warm and walked away quickly before her face could betray her.
Aarav watched her go, smiling like he'd won the biggest game of his life.
---