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Chapter 16 - CHAPTER 17 – The Morning That Changed Everything

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Scene 1: The Stolen Night & The Restless Morning

Haniya barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw it happen again—

Aarav leaning close, his breath warm against her skin…

His voice asking for just one wish…

His lips claiming hers again and again…

She pressed her pillow over her face.

Why did I do that? Why did I let him kiss me? Why did I kiss him back?

When morning finally came, she wasn't ready at all.

Dragging her tired body into the bathroom, she washed her face three times hoping the memory would fade.

It didn't.

She stepped out of her room, and the universe immediately punished her.

Because the first person she saw in the hallway was—

Aarav.

Standing there.

Hands in pockets.

Watching her.

Their eyes met.

Hers widened nervously.

His softened—way too noticeably.

She quickly broke eye contact and speed-walked past him without a word.

Aarav watched her with a tiny smirk.

He remembered.

And she knew it.

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Scene 2: Breakfast Trouble

The team gathered at the dining hall.

Everyone talked normally—except Haniya.

She kept her head down, eating quietly, avoiding Aarav like he was the sun and she was ice.

Vivaan watched her.

Then watched Aarav.

Then smirked.

He nudged Harsh. "Look at this cold war."

Harsh whispered back,

"I swear something happened last night."

Vivaan:

"Aarav's ears are red. Definitely something happened."

Haniya froze.

"I CAN HEAR YOU BOTH."

Both boys immediately sat straight like soldiers caught in crime.

Aarav smirked into his coffee cup.

Haniya glared at him.

He winked.

She nearly dropped her spoon.

And that exact moment confirmed her suspicion—

He remembered everything.

Her cheeks heated.

She stood up abruptly.

"I'm done. I'm leaving."

Aarav casually leaned back in his chair.

"Why so early? We didn't even get to talk yet."

She didn't respond. She just escaped.

The entire table exploded into teasing laughter except Aarav, who just sipped his coffee with a satisfied look on his face.

Because he already knew—

She was running away from him.

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Scene 3: The Hallway Confrontation

Haniya stepped into the silent hallway, finally breathing again.

She leaned against the wall and whispered to herself:

"Calm down. Just calm down."

But her body wasn't listening.

Her lips still tingled with last night's memory.

Her heartbeat was embarrassingly fast.

She didn't know how long she stood there, trying to steady herself—

But then she heard someone behind her.

Slow, steady footsteps.

Before she even turned, she knew who it was.

"Aarav, please don't—"

But he was already there.

"Why are you running away from me?" he asked quietly.

"I'm not running," she lied instantly.

He stepped closer.

"Haniya… you left the moment breakfast ended."

"I—I just had work."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Outside the dining hall? Talking to… the wall?"

She bit her lip.

"Aarav, stop teasing me."

He didn't.

He simply looked at her.

Really looked.

His voice dropped lower.

"Haniya… I remember everything."

Her whole world froze.

"What…?"

"That wish," he said softly.

"Your promise."

His eyes darkened slightly.

"And the kiss."

Her breath hitched.

He placed one hand on the wall beside her head, trapping her in the softest way—no touch, just presence.

"You really thought I'd forget?"

Haniya's throat felt tight.

"Y-you were drunk…"

"But not unconscious," he said.

"I know exactly what happened."

She tried to look away.

He gently lifted her chin with two fingers, making her meet his gaze.

"Haniya," he whispered,

"You shouldn't have kissed me."

Her heart sank.

"So you regret it…?"

He stepped impossibly closer.

"No."

His voice was slow, quiet, intense.

"I mean you shouldn't have kissed me if you expected me to forget it."

Her knees weakened.

"I won't forget it," he whispered.

"Not now. Not ever."

Haniya's pulse hammered inside her chest.

"Aarav… please…"

"No more running," he said softly.

"No more pretending nothing happened."

She swallowed hard.

"What do you want from me?"

"You," he said.

"Honestly. No hiding. No fear."

Her breath trembled.

But before she could answer—

Their manager's voice boomed down the hallway:

"RANGERS! Light practice in ten minutes. Move!"

Aarav stepped back slowly, eyes still locked on her.

"We're not done, Haniya," he murmured.

"Not even close."

He walked away.

Leaving her standing against the wall, heart pounding, too stunned to move…

Because for the first time—

She was scared of how much she wanted him too.

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