Morning light filtered softly through the curtains as Haniya slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she didn't move. Her body felt heavy but calmer than the last few days. The quiet felt different today—less suffocating.
Her phone lay beside her pillow. The screen lit up with notifications.
Ayaan.
Reyansh.
She closed her eyes again for a second.
Ayaan's message was simple.
Did you sleep well? I saw the highlights again. You were amazing.
She stared at the screen for a long time. Part of her wanted to ignore it completely, pretend that chapter of her life didn't exist anymore. But another part of her—the part that still felt gratitude, history, and guilt—couldn't.
She typed slowly.
I'm fine. Please don't worry.
She didn't add anything else.
Then she opened Reyansh's message. It was longer, angrier. She read it once, then locked the screen without replying. Today, she didn't have the strength to fight again.
After a quick shower, she got dressed and tied her hair neatly, trying to look normal—trying to feel normal. When she reached the dining area, everyone was already there.
The moment Vivaan saw her, he grinned.
"There she is. Our comeback queen."
Harsh nodded. "Looking better today."
Kashvi smiled softly and pulled out a chair for her. "Sit. Eat properly this time."
Haniya sat down. "I will. Promise."
Aarav was already watching her closely. He didn't tease. He didn't joke. He just asked quietly, "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
Vivaan leaned in dramatically. "Blink twice if he's forcing you to say that."
Haniya rolled her eyes. "Blink once if you want to get hit."
Breakfast continued with light teasing, but gentler than usual. No one pushed too hard. They could all sense she was still fragile.
Just as she lifted her spoon, her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She frowned and answered. "Hello?"
A soft female voice came through. "Is this Haniya?"
"Yes."
"This is Aira."
The table went silent.
Aarav's eyes lifted instantly.
Haniya stood up slightly, nervous. "Yes… hi."
"I just wanted to ask," Aira continued calmly, "how serious is Aarav to you?"
Haniya swallowed. "Why are you asking me this?"
There was a pause. "Because I care about him."
Haniya replied evenly, "So do I."
Aira didn't push further. "Okay. Thank you for answering."
The call ended.
Haniya slowly placed the phone down.
Vivaan blinked. "Who was that?"
She hesitated, then said honestly, "Ayaan's sister."
Harsh let out a low whistle. "Drama follows you like a shadow."
Aarav didn't say anything. His jaw was tight.
Before anyone could ask more, the coach entered. "Finish breakfast. Quarterfinals are next week. No distractions."
Everyone nodded.
Practice was intense. During the break, Aarav walked up to Haniya, lowering his voice. "You didn't tell me she called."
"I didn't want to make it bigger," she replied.
He stepped closer, teasing lightly, trying to ease the tension. "You avoiding me now?"
She smiled faintly. "You wish."
He leaned in as if to kiss her, just to annoy her.
"Don't," she whispered, smiling.
"Why?"
Before she could reply, the coach cleared his throat loudly behind them. Aarav straightened immediately.
After practice, the coach called both of them aside.
"You two are getting too close," he said sharply. "Focus on the game."
Haniya crossed her arms. "My father doesn't have a problem. Why do you?"
The coach stiffened. "Your brother personally asked me to keep distance between you and Aarav."
That did it.
Haniya's expression hardened. "Then tell him to stop controlling my life."
She turned and walked away.
Aarav watched her go, worried.
She went back to the practice room to grab her phone, hands trembling slightly. She dialed Reyansh without thinking.
"Meet me at the café in thirty minutes," she said coldly when he picked up.
She didn't wait for a response.
As she left the dorm, Kashvi called out, "Haniya, are you okay?"
She forced a smile. "Yeah."
She got into her car—and drove faster than she should have.
Anger. Hurt. Fear. Everything mixed together as the road blurred ahead.
Somewhere behind her, Aarav stood watching, unaware that this morning calm was about to shatter again.