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The next morning started with its usual soft chaos. Everyone dragged themselves out of their rooms with sleepy hair and half-closed eyes. Harsh was the first to slump into his chair at the dining table, followed by Vivaan who mumbled something that sounded like, "Coffee… or I'll die…"
Haniya walked in next, tying her hair into a loose ponytail. As soon as Aarav saw her, he straightened slightly, trying to look more awake than he felt. She noticed, smiled a little, and sat beside him.
Kashvi arrived last, bouncing with energy. "Good morning! Today we make history. Today… we SHOP."
Vivaan groaned. "Please spare us."
Kashvi ignored him completely and grabbed a plate.
Breakfast went on with teasing and chatter as usual. Harsh kept making jokes, Vivaan complained about practice, and Kashvi explained her long list of things she needed. But throughout the whole meal, Haniya kept feeling Aarav's eyes on her.
He finally leaned a little closer. "You excited for shopping?"
She shrugged. "A little."
"A little?" he repeated. "You looked pretty excited last night when you and Kashvi were plotting."
She nudged his arm beneath the table. "Don't expose me."
He smirked. "Never."
She blushed, and Kashvi immediately noticed.
"Haniya," Kashvi said loudly, "don't worry, we'll get something for your boyfriend too."
Haniya choked on air. Aarav coughed. Vivaan and Harsh burst out laughing.
"We're not—" Haniya started.
"Sure, sure," Harsh cut in. "The nation believes you."
Aarav just sipped his juice with a tiny smile he didn't hide at all.
Soon after breakfast, everyone went to their rooms to get ready. Haniya wore something simple but cute—jeans, a fitted top, and a light jacket. Kashvi came out dressed like she was modeling for a magazine.
"We're going for clothes," Haniya said, staring at her.
"And looking cute is part of the journey," Kashvi replied. "Let's go."
They waved goodbye to the boys, and Aarav's gaze lingered on Haniya for a second longer than necessary. She noticed, smiled, and the little flutter in her chest returned.
Outside, they took a cab to the mall. The moment they walked inside, Kashvi stopped dramatically.
"Haniya, look at this. Heaven."
Haniya laughed. "Focus, we need to buy actual clothes."
"I will. After I take pictures of this fountain."
They started with casual clothes—tops, jeans, hoodies. Kashvi grabbed things in every color possible, while Haniya chose more carefully. But every now and then, her eyes drifted toward the men's section.
Kashvi caught her. "Buying something for Aarav?"
Haniya froze. "I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to. Your face screamed it."
"Shut up."
Kashvi grinned. "Buy him something he'll actually wear. Like that black jacket. He loves dark colors."
Haniya blinked. "How do you know?"
"Because unlike you two, I observe things openly. Now take it."
Haniya hesitated but picked up the jacket.
They spent hours wandering through shops. Haniya found a soft grey sweater that instantly reminded her of Aarav—simple, warm, and something he'd probably wear all the time. She also bought him a new pair of wristbands because his old ones were constantly falling apart.
By the end, they had way more bags than expected.
Kashvi lifted hers. "I'm blaming you for this."
"Me!?" Haniya laughed. "You're the one who dragged me into ten stores!"
"And I regret none of it."
They stopped for snacks, took cute selfies, teased each other, and talked about future events. For a few hours, Haniya felt like a normal girl—not the president's daughter, not a rising athlete—just a girl shopping with her best friend.
When they finally reached the dorm in the evening, the boys were sprawled in the living room watching something on TV.
Vivaan sat up. "Did you two buy the whole mall?"
Harsh pointed. "Is this a shopping spree or the Olympics?"
Kashvi tossed her bags onto the couch. "Jealous? You should be."
Aarav's gaze drifted immediately to Haniya. "Had fun?"
She nodded softly. "Yeah. A lot."
He smiled, gentle and warm. "Good."
She felt her heart skip a beat again. But she didn't give him the bag—yet.
The evening passed with everyone opening their bags, showing things off, laughing at Kashvi's dramatic fashion choices, and arguing over which clothes suited whom.
But the whole time, one bag stayed hidden near Haniya's feet—the one that held Aarav's things.
She planned to give it to him privately.
Dinner was filled with teasing again—this time about the amount of money Kashvi spent. Vivaan nearly fainted when he heard the total.
After dinner, everyone slowly drifted off to their rooms, exhausted. The dorm grew quiet. Haniya stared at the bag for a while, biting her lip.
Then she took a deep breath, stood up, and walked down the hallway.
Aarav's room door was slightly open. He was inside, sitting on his bed, looking at something on his phone. When he looked up and saw her, his eyes softened instantly.
"Haniya? You okay?" he asked.
She stepped inside, holding the bag behind her. "Yeah… I just… I wanted to give you something."
Aarav tilted his head, confused but smiling.
"For me?"
She nodded.
He put his phone aside and focused on her fully. "Come here."
Haniya stepped closer, nerves fluttering in her stomach.
She took out the bag.
"I got you… a few things," she whispered.